Companies With Bergen HQs Rank Among Most Sustainable

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ - Two corporations with U.S. headquarters located Bergen County are among the top 100 most sustainable companies in the world, according to a newly-released ranking.

Unilever in Englewood Cliffs, placed No. 46 and Konica Minolta, located in Ramsey, made No. 72 on Canadian research firm Corporate Knights' annual Global 100 ranking.

For the last 16 years, Corporate Knights has compiled its list of top 100 companies with a minimum of $1 billion revenue based on factors such as energy and water use, waste generation emissions, percentage of taxes paid and women in executive management positions. Financial performance, corporate longevity and efforts to promote diversity are also looked at.

See the 2020 Global 100 ranking here.

More than 7,399 companies were evaluated this year, according to Corporate Knights. European corporations dominate the list, accounting for 49 of the 100 spots, followed by 18 Asian companies, 17 from the United States, 12 located in Canada, three based in Latin America and one in Africa.

Within the Garden State, three corporations earned spots: American Water and Campbell Soup Co., both based in Camden, ranked No. 16 and No. 93, while Merck & Co., based in Kenilworth, ranked No. 78.

This year marks the third time Konica Minolta has made the list.

In a statement regarding the Global 100,the Japanese technology company said it believes "that pursuing a sustainable society also leads to enhanced sustainability for companies."

Some of the actions it has taken include: adopting the Carbon Minus concept, which aims to cut CO2 emissions by more than the amount of CO2 emissions from its corporate activities by 2050. The corporation also plans to share "its environmental technologies and expertise with its business partners and customers."

Konica Minolta said another way it hopes "to achieve corporate growth" is by "developing new businesses that contribute to solving social issues."

"To be specific, the company has launched in Japan new products and services designed to increase the productivity of care workers to better meet the needs of an aging society, improve health and quality of life, and support a safe and secure society," the company's statement said.

Unilever, a British-based personal care and cleaning products manufacturer, has taken several steps towards sustainability, according to its website.

That includes ramped up efforts to reduce plastic waste, powers all of its facilities with 100% renewable grid electricity, joined in efforts to create inclusive work environments, continued efforts to find healthy, sustainable foods and decrease food waste, according to the company's website.