In the realm of corporate messaging, the gap between stated intentions and observable actions is often wide. This crisis of authenticity raises stark questions about how best to define corporations’ social responsibility and their impacts.
For instance, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Unilever and PepsiCo all profess dedication to a sustainable future while at the same time having earned the dubious distinction of being among the world’s “worst plastic polluters,” according to the global movement Break Free from Plastic. Last year, Coca-Cola was again at the top of the environmental group's yearly ranking of which companies' products pollute the most countries with the most waste — a position it has held for six years in a row.
These corporations are not the only ones caught in this paradox. In 2023, there was a 40% rise in Forbes Global 2000 companies pledging to become net zero, yet many lack clear plans to achieve their stated goals and some have even backtracked on their commitments.