A road well-traveled

The sustainability of businesses, people and the planet are top of mind across the world. Every organisation is being challenged by their customers and their governments to address the impact they’re having on the world around them.

Contributing to the sustainability of people and the planet is quickly becoming a social license to operate. Fortunately, for many family businesses, the drive for sustainability is already a road well-traveled. And the potential benefits of being a sustainable business have been clear for a long time.

It’s becoming clear that no company can thrive – or even survive – without paying attention to the well-being of people and the planet.

Sustainability is about creating shared value. And it’s that strong foundation that many family businesses are built on. Creating shared value for all their stakeholders is part of their DNA. And they’re bringing the concept of stakeholder value into the mainstream – for their customers, employees, communities, the environment and society as a whole.

Sustainability is also now a business imperative for long-term growth and prosperity. And for gaining a competitive advantage. Companies that fail to adapt may struggle to compete in a new, low-carbon world.

For many family businesses, the drive to sustainability is already a road well-traveled. It’s embedded in the families’ values and in their business models, and an important part of the family’s legacy because each generation is expected to pass on more than what it receives. It’s also why we believe that family businesses have the opportunity to guide the path to sustainability for others to follow. 

Learn more about some of the family business leaders who contributed to this report and their companies’ sustainability journeys.