Some of the world’s leading companies recognised for their sustainability efforts are still at risk of being accused of green-wash, according to the Tomorrow’s Value Rating 2011.

Produced by corporate sustainability agency Two Tomorrows, the Tomorrow’s Value Rating 2011 reveals that there is a danger that leading companies are taking existing practices and passing them under the sustainability lens to give a compelling green picture of the company.

While these practices may have positive environmental impacts, they are fundamentally profit driven. The Tomorrow’s Value Rating warns that this can turn to green-wash when the sticky issues are ignored or given little consideration.

By looking at the sustainability practices of 92 companies widely recognised as sustainability leaders, the Tomorrow’s Value Rating 2011 uncovers the extent to which they deserve their place within the sustainability rankings. And it shows which companies are likely to deliver long-term investment value thanks to their sustainable practices.

“We believe that the strongest companies of tomorrow are those with the best sustainability practices today, so naturally we should expect great things from those at the top of that list,” says Todd Cort, CEO of Two Tomorrows (North America), who led the rating programme.

“True sustainability leaders are companies which do not just manage their sticky issues, they embrace them.”

The Tomorrow’s Value Rating 2011 Aaa-rated companies are: Campbell’s, Danone, General Electric, Glaxosmithkline, HP, Intel, Nestlé, Nike, Panasonic, Siemens, and Unilever.

Mark Line, executive chairman of Two Tomorrows Group, adds: “None of our leading companies are held back by fundamental questions about their sustainability. Where there are concerns, we can see that they have mapped out a clear path to transitioning their business into a different model.

“The leaders are starting to go one step further than the rest of the pack, such that their machinery for delivering sustainability is becoming part of the way they do business.

“Their staff and management get it and they want it. These companies tend to exhibit huge brand strength – and they have wedded their sustainability approach to all of those things that made their brand strong in the first place.”

Companies were selected to be in the Tomorrow’s Value Rating for 2011 based on their inclusion in three or more leading sustainability rankings. Companies in the 2011 Fortune Global 100 and listed in two of these rankings were also included.

Two Tomorrows does not recommend or endorse any specific investment and does not provide advice on investment options. Two Tomorrows is rendering professional opinion and assumes no liability whatsoever in connection with its use. It is the responsibility of the reader to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any opinions, advice or other information provided

Results and key findings