Global businesses face unprecedented pressure to address environmental challenges, from reducing emissions to preventing food waste. These issues are not just corporate social responsibility concerns but represent significant business risks and opportunities. According to recent studies, companies with strong environmental performance often show better financial results and greater operational resilience.
In this, companies may choose to engage with specialized NGOs who can offer several strategic advantages. These organizations bring deep expertise in specific sustainability areas, along with established frameworks and implementation experience. They can help companies navigate complex challenges while providing credibility to sustainability initiatives through independent verification and guidance.
The value of NGO partnerships extends beyond reputation management. These collaborations can lead to operational improvements, cost savings, and innovation opportunities. They also help businesses stay ahead of regulatory changes and shifting consumer preferences.
Key NGO partners in sustainability
Lever Foundation
Specializing in protein sustainability and animal welfare, Lever Foundation works with food companies to develop and implement cage-free egg policies and other animal welfare initiatives. Their expertise includes supplier assessment, implementation planning, and progress tracking, helping companies meet growing consumer demand for higher welfare products.
Lever has worked with major brands including Jollibee, Rainbow Digital Commercial, and Costa Coffee, helping them develop and implement cage-free egg and higher welfare chicken policies across Asia. They’ve also partnered with leading hospitality chains across the region such as Ascott Limited, Accor Hotels, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Greater China, Sands, and more.
Scope Three Action
Focusing on supply chain emissions, Scope Three Action (S3A) helps companies tackle their largest carbon footprint source. They provide technical expertise in emissions measurement and reduction strategies, working directly with businesses to identify and implement solutions across complex supplier networks.
The organization largely works with food industry companies in North America and Western Europe, analyzing individual needs and challenges to tailor an action plan that can effectively lower greenhouse gas emissions. Companies are able to establish a time-specific goal in working with S3A, creating a clear roadmap to a more climate-friendly emission output.
Marine Stewardship Council
The Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) certification program ensures sustainable seafood sourcing practices. Beyond certification, they offer guidance on implementing responsible sourcing policies and connecting companies with verified sustainable suppliers. Their work helps businesses protect marine resources while meeting consumer demand for sustainable seafood.
MSC has certified McDonald’s fish sourcing practices, enabling their sustainable fish marketing claims in multiple markets. They’ve also worked with Walmart and Kroger to establish comprehensive seafood sourcing policies that protect vulnerable fish stocks.
Food Loss and Waste Protocol
Food Loss and Waste Protocol provides standardized measurement and reporting frameworks for food waste. Their tools enable businesses to implement consistent tracking methods and identify effective intervention points, helping companies reduce waste while improving operational efficiency.
The Protocol has guided Tesco’s industry-leading food waste reporting methodology, establishing a global benchmark for transparent waste disclosure. Their measurement framework has also been adopted by Kellogg’s and Campbell’s Soup Company in their comprehensive food waste reduction programs.
ReFED
Taking a data-driven approach to food waste reduction, ReFED’s Insights Engine platform helps businesses identify and implement waste reduction opportunities. They quantify both financial and environmental benefits, making the business case for waste reduction initiatives clear and actionable.
ReFED helped develop the U.S. Food Waste Pact, a national voluntary agreement for businesses to commit to reducing food loss and waste. The pact has brought forth a range of high-profile signatories including Amazon Fresh, Chick-fil-A, and ISS Guckenheimer. The sustainability NGO has also produced a variety of reports and toolkits, providing foodservice operators with practical solutions to reduce food waste.
PCX Markets
Specializing in carbon credit trading and plastic offset programs, PCX Markets connects businesses with verified environmental projects. Their marketplace platform facilitates strategic offset investments while ensuring transparency and verification in environmental impact claims.
PCX Markets has worked with multiple companies in the Philippines including PepsiCo, Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever and Nestlé to gain PCS Plastic Neutral Certification. In 2024, PCX Markets launched the Plastic Cleanup Partner program to replace their previous Net Zero Waste certification. The Plastic Cleanup Partner label is awarded to companies and brands that deliver significant, measurable impact in cleaning up plastic waste, assuring consumers they’re supporting brands working to keep plastic waste out of nature.
These NGO partnerships demonstrate how specialized expertise can help businesses translate sustainability commitments into meaningful action. As environmental challenges become increasingly complex, these collaborations offer proven pathways to achieve both business and sustainability goals.
Companies seeking to enhance their environmental performance should consider engaging with these organizations based on their specific sustainability priorities and challenges. The expertise and implementation support these NGOs provide can accelerate progress while ensuring credibility and effectiveness in sustainability initiatives.
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