After reading the 2015 Costco Sustainability Report and referring to other resources in evaluating corporate sustainability issues, I have identified what I believe to be the top 5 sustainability issues for Costco:
• Continue reducing carbon footprint growth.
In the sustainability report, Costco stated the goal was to maintain carbon footprint growth to less than the company sales growth. Carbon emission is the fundamental reason for world’s climate change. As a leading wholesaler around the world, Costco should closely monitor its carbon footprint and take specific steps to control carbon emission.
• Enhance warehouse energy management systems.
As part of the social aspect, Costco needs to consider various environmental impact from warehouse facilities. Effectively management of warehouse energy systems can not only lower the energy consumption and cost …show more content…
From the business innovation perspective, Costco should focus on continuous packaging design improvement. The packaging design should reduce the overall materials used, reusable, and recyclable.
• Continue providing low-cost products and services to customers with consistent quality.
Costco’s mission statement is to “continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices”. In order to better accomplish its mission, Costco should, for example, establish stringent requirements when choosing suppliers and vendors.
• Provide a safe workplace for employees.
In terms of human capital aspect, I think the company needs to provide a safe workplace for employees. As the company’s code of ethics points out, the company aims to take care of its employees. Working in a wholesale may occur more hazardous situations than retail. Therefore, in my opinion, providing a safe workplace for employees should be one of the sustainability issues.
1. Stakeholder Identification
Stakeholder
Reason for Being Salient
Importance (scale from 1 to
• Continue reducing carbon footprint growth.
In the sustainability report, Costco stated the goal was to maintain carbon footprint growth to less than the company sales growth. Carbon emission is the fundamental reason for world’s climate change. As a leading wholesaler around the world, Costco should closely monitor its carbon footprint and take specific steps to control carbon emission.
• Enhance warehouse energy management systems.
As part of the social aspect, Costco needs to consider various environmental impact from warehouse facilities. Effectively management of warehouse energy systems can not only lower the energy consumption and cost …show more content…
From the business innovation perspective, Costco should focus on continuous packaging design improvement. The packaging design should reduce the overall materials used, reusable, and recyclable.
• Continue providing low-cost products and services to customers with consistent quality.
Costco’s mission statement is to “continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices”. In order to better accomplish its mission, Costco should, for example, establish stringent requirements when choosing suppliers and vendors.
• Provide a safe workplace for employees.
In terms of human capital aspect, I think the company needs to provide a safe workplace for employees. As the company’s code of ethics points out, the company aims to take care of its employees. Working in a wholesale may occur more hazardous situations than retail. Therefore, in my opinion, providing a safe workplace for employees should be one of the sustainability issues.
1. Stakeholder Identification
Stakeholder
Reason for Being Salient
Importance (scale from 1 to