The Top 3 Sustainable Companies

Did you know that just 100 companies have been responsible for over 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988? As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact corporations have on the environment and society, they’re demanding real change—and a growing number of sustainable companies are stepping up to answer the call.

In today’s marketplace, corporate sustainability quickly shifts from a “nice to have” to a business imperative. Nearly 80% of consumers say they trust companies that prioritize environmental and social responsibility. Investors are taking notice, too, with sustainable investing assets reaching over $30 trillion globally.

The most eco-friendly companies go beyond short-term profits to consider their long-term impact on people and the planet. They set ambitious goals to reduce their negative environmental and social impacts, while also developing innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change, plastic pollution, and economic inequality.

As more and more companies recognize the urgency of sustainability and their unique ability to drive positive change, a brighter future is on the horizon—and conscious consumers have the power to help shape it.

What Makes a Company Truly Sustainable?

In a world of corporate greenwashing and misleading marketing claims, it can be challenging to distinguish between companies genuinely committed to sustainability and those merely paying lip service to the latest buzzword. Here are some of the key criteria to look for in identifying the real deal:

Commitment to Sustainability

Truly sustainable companies don’t just focus on a single issue or initiative but rather take a holistic approach to embedding sustainability into every aspect of their business. This includes:

• Sustainable sourcing of raw materials, such as using recycled or renewable inputs and ensuring suppliers adhere to environmental and ethical standards
• Eco-friendly production processes that minimize waste, water usage, and carbon emissions, such as closed-loop manufacturing and zero-waste factories
• Sustainable product design that considers the entire lifecycle impact, from employing plastic-free solutions, reducing packaging, to enabling recycling or biodegradation at end-of-life
• Investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other clean technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate impact
• Ethical labor practices, including paying fair wages, ensuring safe working conditions, and respecting human rights throughout the supply chain

Transparency and Accountability

Companies that help the environment don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk by setting measurable goals and reporting on their progress. Key signs of genuine transparency and accountability include:

• Science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals to limit global warming 
• Detailed sustainability reporting using recognized frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
• Third-party certifications and audits to verify sustainable practices, such as B Corp Certification, Cradle to Cradle, Fair Trade, or LEED green building standards
• Participation in industry collaborations and initiatives to drive systemic change, such as the UN Global Compact  or the Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Social Responsibility and Community Impact

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment but also about the people and communities a company’s operations impact. Socially responsible companies go beyond compliance to create a positive social impact through:

• Inclusive hiring practices and diverse leadership teams that reflect the communities they serve  
• Living wage policies, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities for workers
• Philanthropic giving and employee volunteering programs to support local communities and non-profit partners
• Responsible sourcing practices that respect human rights and support economic development in low-income regions

Of course, no company is perfect, and even the most sustainable businesses face challenges and trade-offs in balancing environmental, social, and financial priorities. Assessing a company’s sustainability requires looking at the big picture of its overall impact and trajectory rather than getting hung up on a single product or misstep.

By supporting companies that are striving to make genuine progress on multiple fronts—and holding them accountable to their commitments—consumers can help shift the needle toward a more sustainable future and a just economy for all.

Top 3 Environmental Companies

Around the world, a growing number of companies are proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand-in-hand. Here are the top environmental companies inspiring examples of businesses putting sustainable principles into practice:

1. Patagonia

Patagonia has long been a leader in sustainable fashion, known for its high-quality, eco-friendly outdoor gear and clothing. Some of the company’s key sustainable practices include:

• Using recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets to create polyester fabrics, reducing dependence on petroleum-based virgin materials
• Offering a Worn Wear program to repair and resell used Patagonia items, extending the life of its products and keeping them out of landfill waste.
• Donating 1% of sales to environmental causes and activist groups through its 1% for the Planet program, totaling over $140 million to date  
• Advocating for environmental protection and public lands conservation through campaigns like “Don’t Buy This Jacket” and “The President Stole Your Land.”

In 2024, 99% of Patagonia’s spring line was made with recycled materials. The company generated 82% of its energy from renewable sources. As a certified B Corp and California benefit corporation, Patagonia is legally committed to considering the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment.

2. Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation has been producing eco-friendly household and personal care products for over 30 years, with a mission to “inspire a consumer revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations.” The company’s sustainable practices include:

• Using plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals like synthetic fragrances, dyes, and petroleum-based cleaners
• Packaging products in recycled and recyclable materials, with a goal of using 100% recycled or biobased materials by 2025
• Advocating for policies to fight climate change and advance the circular economy through initiatives like the #ComeClean campaign for ingredient transparency

Since 2013, Seventh Generation’s reduced the volume of toxins in their products by 98%. The company is also a certified B Corp and was recently acquired by Unilever, with the goal of expanding its mission and impact on a global scale.  

3. Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat is a leading producer of plant-based meat alternatives, offering burgers, sausages, and other products that mimic the taste and texture of animal protein with a lower environmental footprint. The company’s sustainable practices include:

• Using pea, mung bean, and rice proteins to create meats with no cholesterol, less saturated fat, and more sustainable ingredients than traditional animal agriculture
• Conducting life cycle analyses showing their products require 93% less land and 99% less water than beef production, with 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• Developing recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging options for its products 
• Partnering with food banks, non-profits, and social justice organizations to increase access to healthy, sustainable foods in underserved communities

In 2022, Beyond Meat’s products were available globally in over 190,000 retail and food service outlets, demonstrating the growing demand for sustainable protein options. Beyond Meat is also committed to transparency, with an impact report detailing its progress on key sustainability metrics.

As more and more businesses prioritize people and the planet alongside profit, consumers have the power to vote with their dollars for the kind of world they want to see.

How Companies Can Become More Sustainable

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination—and every company has to start somewhere. Whether you’re a small startup or an established corporation, here are some key strategies to begin embedding sustainability into your business:

Measure Your Environmental Impact

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” as the saying goes—and that’s especially true when it comes to sustainability. Conducting a comprehensive assessment of your company’s environmental footprint is an essential first step to identify opportunities for improvement and track progress over time.  

• Carbon accounting tools can help measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions from direct sources like company vehicles to indirect sources like purchased electricity
• Life cycle assessments look at the cradle-to-grave impact of your products and packaging, identifying hotspots for reduction, reuse, and recycling

Set Goals and Create a Roadmap

Once you have a baseline understanding of your impact, it’s time to set clear, measurable goals for improvement. Many companies are adopting science-based targets to align their sustainability strategies with the latest climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

• Consider setting both short-term and long-term goals, with specific targets for key metrics like emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and waste diversion
• Develop a detailed roadmap with timelines, budgets, and accountability measures to ensure steady progress and keep sustainability a top priority

Engage Employees and Stakeholders 

Sustainability can’t just be a top-down mandate—it requires buy-in and participation from everyone in your organization and supply chain. Engaging employees, suppliers, customers, and communities is critical for turning your sustainability goals into reality.

• Provide training and resources to help employees understand the importance of sustainability and how they can contribute through their daily work
• Set supplier standards and work with vendors to improve their own sustainability practices, from sourcing materials to reducing packaging waste  
• Invite customer feedback and input on your sustainability initiatives, and consider forming community advisory boards or partnerships with local organizations

Invest in Sustainable Innovation

Many of the most impactful sustainability solutions have yet to be invented—and businesses have a key role to play in driving sustainable innovation forward. Consider allocating a portion of your R&D budget to exploring new products, materials, and business models that prioritize sustainability.

• Biomimicry, green chemistry, and circular design principles can inspire new ways of creating products that work in harmony with nature rather than depleting it
• Shifting from single-use disposable items to reusable, repairable, or compostable alternatives can dramatically reduce waste and resource consumption
• Exploring product-as-service models, where customers pay for access rather than ownership, can decouple profit from resource throughput and incentivize durable, efficient products

Collaborate and Advocate for Change

No company can solve our sustainability challenges alone—it will take unprecedented collaboration and collective action to drive systemic change. Look for opportunities to partner with industry peers, non-profits, and policymakers to scale your impact and create a level playing field.  

• Join industry associations and initiatives focused on sustainability, like the We Mean Business coalition, Circular Economy 100, or your local green business network
• Support public policies that incentivize sustainable practices, from carbon pricing to extended producer responsibility laws for waste reduction
• Partner with academic institutions or research organizations to expand the knowledge base around sustainability science and solutions

How Consumers Can Support Sustainable Companies

As a consumer, every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. By supporting environmentally friendly companies and products, you can help drive the transition to a more just, equitable, and regenerative economy. Here are some simple ways to get started:

Use Apps and Guides to Discover Sustainable Options

A growing number of resources are available to help consumers find and compare sustainable products and services, including: 

• Good On You: A mobile app that rates fashion brands on their ethics and sustainability performance
• Greenopia: An online directory of green businesses across categories like food, personal care, home, and garden  
• The GoodGuide: A website and app that provides health, environmental, and social ratings for over 75,000 products

Support Sustainable Business Models

In addition to seeking out sustainable products, consider supporting companies with business models that prioritize social and environmental benefits, such as:

• Co-operatives, which are owned and democratically controlled by their members, often with a focus on local economic development and community well-being  
• Social enterprises that use market-based strategies to advance a social or environmental mission, such as job training for disadvantaged groups or conservation of natural resources

Minimize Your Own Environmental Impact

Of course, the most sustainable option is often to consume less overall. Some ways to reduce your environmental impact while still supporting responsible companies include:

• Buying less and choosing durable, repairable products that are built to last
• Shopping second-hand or participating in rental and sharing platforms to maximize the use of existing goods  
• Repairing and upgrading products when possible, rather than replacing them
• Properly recycling products at the end of their useful life and choosing products with recycled content

Use Your Voice and Your Vote

Finally, remember that your influence goes beyond your individual purchasing decisions. You can help hold companies accountable and drive broader change by:

• Using social media and review platforms to praise companies doing sustainability well—and call out those that fall short
• Writing to companies directly to express your concerns or suggest improvements to their sustainability practices
• Voting for political candidates and policies that support sustainable business practices and a just green economy

The Future is Sustainable 

The challenges facing our planet are undeniably daunting—from the climate crisis to plastic pollution to rampant inequality and injustice. The rise of environmentally friendly companies offers a glimpse of a brighter future in which business acts as a force for good, serving people and the planet along with profit. In 2023, the growth rate in clean energy investments increased to 17%.

As consumers, we have the power to accelerate this transition by voting with our wallets for the companies and products leading the way. By supporting sustainable enterprises, we’re not just making better choices for our own health and well-being—we’re helping to create the conditions for all people and living beings to thrive.  

So start small, but start now. Look for one area of your life where you can shift your spending to support a more sustainable option, such as switching to a clean energy provider, choosing a Fair Trade-certified coffee brand, or shopping at a local farmers’ market. 

The road ahead will be challenging, but if we walk it together, we can create a more just, resilient, and regenerative world—one that sustains us all for generations to come.