Business

Creating value through environmental sustainability.

Why 2018 Is the Year for Business to Step Up Climate Action

Large companies with global supply chains often produce as much greenhouse gas emissions as entire countries. With this scale comes responsibility, argue WRI President Andrew Steer and Mars, Inc. CEO Grant Reid.

For quick access to WRI’s corporate sustainability resources, visit wri.org/business.

Why Sustainable Business

Working with companies is essential to our mission because they can innovate and scale solutions to our toughest challenges. Businesses have important influence on governments and their extensive, global value chains complement the reach of governments bound by national borders. Companies inform WRI’s priorities and help kickstart innovative projects.

How We Support Sustainable Business

WRI's research helps integrate environmental sustainability and business strategy. Our practical guidance, tools and initiatives help companies assess and reduce impacts along their entire value chains. Here are some popular ways in which WRI helps companies improve their sustainability performance:

To learn more about our work with the private sector, view our brochure.

Our Corporate Consultative Group (CCG)

WRI’s Corporate Consultative Group (CCG) brings together nearly 40 leading companies to advance business practices that mitigate risks and support sustainable growth. Collaborating with CCG members illuminates corporate needs and the ways we can help guide sustainability strategies in the private sector.

Learn more about WRI’s Corporate Consultative Group or contact JP Leous, Senior Manager for Corporate Relations, to learn how to become a program partner.

Top Business Outcomes

What's a top outcome?

Top outcomes are WRI's biggest success stories. They occur when our analysis, solutions, or partnerships result in significant change in the world.

2017

More Than 300 Companies Commit to Set Science-Based Emissions Reduction Targets
Read more

Featured Expert

Eliot Metzger

Senior Associate, Business Center

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May 24, 2018 Blog post

Barriers to a Circular Economy: 5 Reasons the World Wastes So Much Stuff (and Why It's Not Just the Consumer's Fault)

Most people blame consumers for the 1.3 billion tons of trash the world generates every year. The reality is that there are more systemic issues at play.
May 11, 2018 Event

Webinar: Guidance for Apparel and Footwear Sector Companies to Set Science-based Targets

Learn about the draft guidance, including recommendations on setting targets for scope 3 emissions.
April 16, 2018 Event

Workshop: Science Based Targets Apparel and Footwear Sector Guidance

This workshop will coincide with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition's 2018 Full Member Meeting, but is open to stakeholders from outside the coaliti
March 30, 2018 Blog post

Smallholder Farmers Are Key to Making the Palm Oil Industry Sustainable

Small farmers could be key actors in reforming Indonesia's palm oil industry, which has been linked to child and forced labor, deforestation and the demise of iconic species like orangutans. But they can't do it without support from government and corporations.
March 16, 2018 Blog post

Redefining Business with Environmental Restoration

Imagine businesses that make money by improving the land and communities around them. Imagine an economy that rewards those who nourish and restore the environment. Here's what some of those businesses look like.
March 12, 2018 Blog post

PODCAST: New Initiative Seeks to Fund Innovative Partnerships for Sustainable Development

The new Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 project, P4G, will fund 5-10 public-private partnerships addressing sustainability in food, water, energy, cities and the circular economy. Awards range from under $100,000 to $1 million.