by Brianna Crandall — February 18, 2011—Corporate sustainability network Ceres recently announced the approval of The Walt Disney Company as a Ceres network company. Disney will work with Ceres to improve its efforts on key environmental and social sustainability issues, and will engage key stakeholders to help advance its sustainability strategy, disclosure, and performance.
Disney has set long-term goals of achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste to landfills. Short-term, Disney aims to reduce GHG emissions and cut solid waste by 50 percent by 2013. To meet these goals, the company plans to improve energy efficiency, source more renewable energy, and increase the use of post-consumer recycled materials.
Disney is also focused on supply chain sustainability. The company’s strategy includes educating licensees and vendors to uphold labor standards and improve factory conditions for workers. In 2009, Disney reported progress in three specific areas related to factory monitoring: pre-production assessments, unannounced factory assessments, and auditor skills. Disney’s endorsement of the International Buyer Principles is a strong show of support for the ILO/IFC Better Work program, notes Ceres.
Companies that join Ceres must commit to make continuous improvements in sustainability disclosure and performance by engaging with investors, environmental groups and other stakeholders that are part of the Ceres coalition.
