The Sustainability Dividend: A Primer on Sustainability ROI
Our Cookie Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies.  Our Privacy Policy has been updated! Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy and our privacy policy. 
TCB Tourch
Loading...
  •  
    • NORTH AMERICA
    • EUROPE
    • ASIA
    English flagEN
    Deutsch flagDE
    Français flagFR
    Italiano flagIT
    Español flagES

  • 2

    Close
    • Insights
        • Insights
        • Explore by Center
          • Explore by Center

          • CED
            Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Explore by Content Type
          • Explore by Content Type

          • Reports

          • Upcoming Webcasts

          • On Demand Webcasts

          • Podcasts

          • Charts & Infographics
        • Trending Topics
          • Trending Topics

          • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

          • Navigating Washington

          • Geopolitics

          • US Economic Forecast

          • Sustainability

          • Future of Work
    • Events
        • Events
        • Upcoming Events
          • Upcoming Events

          • Future: People Asia

          • Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

          • CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

          • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

          • People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

          • The AI Leadership Summit

          • Explore all Upcoming Events

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
          • Member-Exclusive Programs

          • Center Briefings

          • Experts Live

          • Roundtables

          • Working Groups

          • Expert Briefings

    • Data
        • Data

        • Consumer Confidence Index

        • Data Central

        • TCB Benchmarking

        • Employment Trends Index

        • Global Economic Outlook

        • Leading Economic Indicators

        • Help Wanted OnLine

        • Labor Markets

        • Measure of CEO Confidence

        • Human Capital Benchmarking &
          Data Analytics

        • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    • Centers
        • Centers
        • Our Centers
          • Our Centers

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Center Membership
          • Center Membership

          • What Is a Center?

          • Benefits of Center Membership

          • Join a Center

    • Councils
        • Councils
        • Find a Council
          • Find a Council

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Council Membership
          • Council Membership

          • What is a Council?

          • Benefits of Council Membership

          • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
        • Membership
        • Why Become a Member?
          • Why Become a Member?

          • Benefits of Membership

          • Check if Your Organization is a Member

          • Speak to a Membership Associate
        • Types of Membership
          • Types of Membership

          • Council

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications

          • Insights

        • Already a Member?
          • Already a Member?

          • Sign In to myTCB®

          • Executive Communities

          • Member-Exclusive Programs

    • About Us
        • About Us
        • Who We Are
          • Who We Are

          • About Us

          • In the News

          • Press Releases

          • Our History

          • Support Our Work

          • Locations

          • Contact Us

        • Our Community
          • Our Community

          • Our Leadership

          • Our Experts

          • Trustees

          • Voting Members

          • Global Counsellors

          • Careers

          • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
    • Sign In to myTCB®
      • NORTH AMERICA
      • EUROPE
      • ASIA
    • Insights
      • Insights
      • Explore by Center
        • Explore by Center

        • CED
          Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Explore by Content Type
        • Explore by Content Type

        • Reports

        • Upcoming Webcasts

        • On Demand Webcasts

        • Podcasts

        • Charts & Infographics

      • Trending Topics
        • Trending Topics

        • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

        • Navigating Washington

        • Geopolitics

        • US Economic Forecast

        • Sustainability

        • Future of Work

    • Events
      • Events
      • Upcoming Events
        • Upcoming Events

        • Future: People Asia

        • Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

        • CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

        • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

        • People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

        • The AI Leadership Summit

        • Explore all Upcoming Events

      • Member-Exclusive Programs
        • Member-Exclusive Programs

        • Center Briefings

        • Experts Live

        • Roundtables

        • Working Groups

        • Expert Briefings

    • Data
      • Data

      • Consumer Confidence Index

      • Data Central

      • TCB Benchmarking

      • Employment Trends Index

      • Global Economic Outlook

      • Leading Economic Indicators

      • Help Wanted OnLine

      • Labor Markets

      • Measure of CEO Confidence

      • Human Capital Benchmarking & Data Analytics

      • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard
    • Centers
      • Centers
      • Our Centers
        • Our Centers

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Center Membership
        • Center Membership

        • What is a Center?

        • Benefits of Center Membership

        • Join a Center

    • Councils
      • Councils
      • Find a Council
        • Find a Council

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications
      • Council Membership
        • Council Membership

        • What is a Council?

        • Benefits of Council Membership

        • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
      • Membership
      • Why Become a Member?
        • Why Become a Member?

        • Benefits of Membership

        • Check if Your Organization is a Member

        • Speak to a Membership Associate

      • Types of Membership
        • Types of Membership

        • Council

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

        • Insights

      • Already a Member?
        • Already a Member?

        • Sign In to myTCB®

        • Executive Communities

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Who We Are

        • About Us

        • In the News

        • Press Releases

        • This Week @ TCB

        • Our History

        • Support Our Work

        • Locations

        • Contact Us

      • Our Community
        • Our Community

        • Our Leadership

        • Our Experts

        • Trustees

        • Voting Members

        • Global Counsellors

        • Careers

        • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • Sign In to myTCB®
    • Download TCB Insights App
  • Insights
    Insights

    Our research and analysis have helped the world's leading companies navigate challenges and seize opportunities for over 100 years.

    Explore All Research

    Economic Indicators

    • Explore by Center
    • CED
      Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Explore by Content Type
    • Reports
    • Upcoming Webcasts
    • On Demand Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Charts & Infographics
    • Trending Topics
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Navigating Washington
    • Geopolitics
    • US Economic Forecast
    • Sustainability
    • Future of Work
  • Events
    Events

    Our in-person and virtual events offer unmatched opportunities for professional development, featuring top experts and practitioners.

    See Everything Happening This Week

    Sponsor a Program

    • Upcoming Events

      • Future: People Asia

      September 04 - 05, 2025

      Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

      September 16 - 17, 2025

      CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

      October 08, 2025

    •  

      • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

      October 16 - 17, 2025

      People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

      October 16 - 17, 2025

      The AI Leadership Summit

      November 18 - 19, 2025

    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
    • Explore by Type
    • Events
    • Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
  • Data
    Corporate Disclosure Data

    TCB Benchmarking

    Real-time data & analytical tools to benchmark your governance, compensation, environmental, human capital management (HCM) and social practices against US public companies.

    Economic Data

    All Data

    See current direction and trends across key indicators

    Consumer Confidence Index

    US consumers' thoughts on the economy, jobs, finances and more

    Data Central

    One-stop, member-exclusive portal for the entire suite of indicators

    Labor Markets

    Covering all aspects of labor markets, from monthly development to long-term trends

    Measure of CEO Confidence

    Examines the health of the US economy from the perspective of CEOs

     

    Recession & Growth Trackers

    See the current and future state of 16 economies.

    Global Economic Outlook

    Track the latest short-, medium-, and long-term growth outlooks for 77 economies

    Leading Economic Indicators

    Track the state of the business cycle for 12 global economies across Asia and Europe

    Help Wanted OnLine

    Track the status of job markets across the US through online job listings

    Other Featured Data

    Human Capital Analytics Tools

    Tools to understand human capital management and corporate performance

    CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    Tracks the impact, resources, and satisfaction of CMOs and CCOs

  • Centers
    Centers

    Centers offer access to world-class experts, research, events, and senior executive communities.

    Our Centers
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Center Membership
    • What Is a Center?
    • Benefits of Center Membership
    • Join a Center
  • Councils
    Councils

    Councils are invitation-only, peer-led communities of senior executives that come together to exchange knowledge, accelerate career development, and advance their function.

    Find a Council
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Council Membership
    • What Is a Council?
    • Benefits of Council Membership
    • Apply to a Council
  • Membership
    Membership

    Membership in The Conference Board arms your team with an arsenal of knowledge, networks, and expertise that's unmatched in scope and depth.

    • Why Become a Member?
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Check if Your Organization is a Member
    • Speak to a Membership Associate
    • Types of Membership
    • Council
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Insights
    • Already a Member?
    • Sign in to myTCB®
    • Executive Communities
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
  • About Us
    About Us

    The Conference Board is the global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. For over 100 years, our cutting-edge research, data, events and executive networks have helped the world's leading companies understand the present and shape the future.

    Learn more about Membership

    • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Our History
    • Support Our Work
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • Our Community
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Experts
    • Trustees
    • Voting Members
    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
The username should be valid and cannot be empty
The password is required and cannot be empty
Check if You're a Member
Create Account
Forgot Your Password?

Members of The Conference Board get exclusive access to the full range of products and services that deliver Trusted Insights for What's Ahead ® including webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to conferences and events.

Sustainable Business Integration

The Sustainability Dividend: A Primer on Sustainability ROI

05 December 2024 / Report

Download Report
  • Email
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Copy Link

As sustainability becomes a business imperative, companies face growing pressure to determine the return on investment (ROI) of their sustainability efforts, a critical factor in gaining stakeholder trust and ensuring long-term success. This report highlights insights from a series of Member roundtables and polls, discusses the current state of sustainability ROI, and provides guidance for companies to get started.

Key Insights

  • Sustainability ROI extends beyond short-term financial gains by capturing long-term financial, environmental, and social value.
  • Discussions on the value of sustainability will continue, making it essential for companies to measure sustainability ROI.
  • Accurately measuring sustainability ROI can be challenging: corporate sustainability teams should start the process by aligning their language with that of the corporate finance function.
  • To fully capture sustainability ROI, companies should account for both tangible (easily quantifiable) and intangible (nonphysical, with harder-to-quantify monetary value) benefits, including those that may not be immediately obvious (hidden benefits).
  • Few companies are capitalizing on the power of authentic and transparent sustainability communication to showcase their sustainability results and gain internal and stakeholder support for sustainability.

As sustainability becomes a business imperative, companies face growing pressure to determine the return on investment (ROI) of their sustainability efforts, a critical factor in gaining stakeholder trust and ensuring long-term success. This report highlights insights from a series of Member roundtables and polls, discusses the current state of sustainability ROI, and provides guidance for companies to get started.

Key Insights

  • Sustainability ROI extends beyond short-term financial gains by capturing long-term financial, environmental, and social value.
  • Discussions on the value of sustainability will continue, making it essential for companies to measure sustainability ROI.
  • Accurately measuring sustainability ROI can be challenging: corporate sustainability teams should start the process by aligning their language with that of the corporate finance function.
  • To fully capture sustainability ROI, companies should account for both tangible (easily quantifiable) and intangible (nonphysical, with harder-to-quantify monetary value) benefits, including those that may not be immediately obvious (hidden benefits).
  • Few companies are capitalizing on the power of authentic and transparent sustainability communication to showcase their sustainability results and gain internal and stakeholder support for sustainability.

Authors

Nathalie Risse, PhD

Nathalie Risse, PhD Nathalie Risse, PhD

Former Senior Researcher, Governance & Sustainabil…
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Anuj Saush

Anuj Saush Anuj Saush

Head, TCB Advisory International
The Conference Board

Read Bio

This publication is available to you, but you need to sign in to myTCB® or create an account to access it.To learn more about becoming a Member click here. To check if your company is a Member, click here

Sign In

Forgot your password

Create An Account

 

Keep my computer signed in

Forgot your password

Create An Account

myTCB® Members get exclusive access to webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to events.

Great News!

You already have an account with The Conference Board.

Please try to login in with your email or click here if you have forgotten your password.

Create An Account



 

By Clicking 'Create Account', You Agree To Our Terms Of Use

Create Account

Other Related Resources

Report

Bimonthly Asia Sustainability Regulatory Roundup: May–June 2025

Bimonthly Asia Sustainability Regulatory Roundup: May–June 2025

July 10, 2025

Report

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

May 29, 2025

Essay

Effective Sustainability Messaging Should Tap Emotions

Effective Sustainability Messaging Should Tap Emotions

April 17, 2025

Essay

CHROs: The Missing Link in Sustainable Transformation

CHROs: The Missing Link in Sustainable Transformation

March 24, 2025

Article

Sustainable Finance Is Growing Up

Sustainable Finance Is Growing Up

January 23, 2025

Quick Take

Sustainability and Climate: Top Global ESG Priorities for Boards in 2025

Sustainability and Climate: Top Global ESG Priorities for Boards in 2025

January 21, 2025

Quick Take

Determining Sustainability ROI: A Growing Corporate Priority

Determining Sustainability ROI: A Growing Corporate Priority

December 05, 2024

Report

Collaborating with Public & Private Partners to Address Environmental Challenges

Collaborating with Public & Private Partners to Address Environmental Challenges

July 10, 2024

Quick Take

As Their Responsibilities Grow, CSOs Dedicate More Time to Environmental Issues

As Their Responsibilities Grow, CSOs Dedicate More Time to Environmental Issues

May 31, 2024

Report

Transitioning Toward Sustainability: What It Means for US Health Care Providers

Transitioning Toward Sustainability: What It Means for US Health Care Providers

April 08, 2024

Report

People & Sustainability: HR’s Growing Role in Sustainability & Workforce

People & Sustainability: HR’s Growing Role in Sustainability & Workforce

March 27, 2024

Podcasts

S5E9 - Transforming Harmful Algae Into Everyday Goods

S5E9 - Transforming Harmful Algae Into Everyday Goods

March 07, 2024

Report

Sustainable Business Redefined: Resilience and Opportunity

Sustainable Business Redefined: Resilience and Opportunity

February 14, 2024

Guide & Reference

A Brief Guide to Upskilling Your Workforce in Sustainability

A Brief Guide to Upskilling Your Workforce in Sustainability

February 13, 2024

Report

Access to Renewable Power in China: Implications for Business

Access to Renewable Power in China: Implications for Business

December 08, 2023

Article

China’s Carbon Markets: Implications for Business

China’s Carbon Markets: Implications for Business

October 18, 2023

Podcasts

Maersk - How Sustainability Can Drive Strategic Value

Maersk - How Sustainability Can Drive Strategic Value

August 10, 2023

Report

China's Economic Outlook Faces Increasing Downside Risks (Economy Watch: China View, July 2023)

China's Economic Outlook Faces Increasing Downside Risks (Economy Watch: China View, July 2023)

August 02, 2023

Report

Building a Sustainability Culture: Overview and Insights

Building a Sustainability Culture: Overview and Insights

July 10, 2023

Report

China's Economic Recovery Continues to Stutter (Economy Watch: China View, June 2023)

China's Economic Recovery Continues to Stutter (Economy Watch: China View, June 2023)

June 30, 2023

Podcasts

LUSH - What Do Regenerative Business Models Look Like?

LUSH - What Do Regenerative Business Models Look Like?

June 06, 2023

Report

Bimonthly Asia Sustainability Regulatory Roundup: May–June 2025

Bimonthly Asia Sustainability Regulatory Roundup: May–June 2025

July 10, 2025

Report

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

May 29, 2025

Essay

Effective Sustainability Messaging Should Tap Emotions

Effective Sustainability Messaging Should Tap Emotions

April 17, 2025

Councils

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs Council

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs Council

Councils

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs Council

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs Council

Conference Board Sample Web Chat
chatbot-Icon TCB Logo
chatbot-Icon
C-Suite Insights - Stay updated on the biggest issues facing business executives.
ABOUT US
  • Who We Are
  • Our History
  • Our Experts
  • Our Leadership
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
EXPLORE
  • Membership
  • Centers
  • Councils
  • TCB Benchmarking
  • Ask TCB
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
 
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
CONTACT US
  • North America
    +1 212 759 0900
    customer.service@tcb.org
  • Europe/Africa/Middle East
    +32 2 675 5405
    brussels@tcb.org
  • Asia
    Hong Kong | +852 2804 1000
    Singapore | +65 8298 3403
    service.ap@tcb.org
CAREERS
  • See Open Positions
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all data from The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.

Thank you for signing up. You will now receive CEO Insights for What's Ahead every Wednesday morning. You can unsubscribe at any time or manage your preferences to receive more content from The Conference Board.

Important: Your Membership subscription payment is past due. We have not yet received your Membership payment. Please click the button below to pay your invoice.

Pay Invoice

Announcing The Conference Board AI Virtual Conference Series

Explore the Impact of AI on Your Business

Members receive complimentary registration - Learn more >>