Had an interesting meeting recently with a company that is way ahead on the game with CSR and sustainability (15 years experience!!!).  While they have management buy-in, there is still a lot of justifying that needs to take place for any new initiatives.  The big barriers they're encountering, both internally and externally look something like this:

1) What are/were the key turning points for consumer markets on sustainability issues, especially ones in APAC?  What did the culture look like and how did it transform?  What were the events that changed how things operate?  What might we learn and capitalise on here in conservative, slow-moving Singapore context?

2) How can CSR/Sustainability be harnessed to--

a) create quantifiable brand value (e.g. case studies, how was this measured/calculated), e.g. in such a way that it justifies expense of new initiatives signed off at the board level?  How can marketing be brought on side when consumers aren't specifically targeting green criteria?

b) realistically affect consumer preference and buying habits, especially in a market suffering from apathy/lack of education and awareness?

3) How have cities like Sydney and others in APAC progressed with sustainability, and what did the evolution look like?  What can we learn from them and their government leadership (or lackthereof)?

4) How can we better quantify the ROI and justify further investment in CSR/Sustainability initiatives?  How can we make the intangible tangible?

5) How can we help speed a change people's perceptions and priorities?

These are probably what numerous business around the world are facing, even well-established leaders, so I thought I'd put the challenge out there publicly for discussion and sharing.  We'd welcome your comments here

or join the discussion on our Linkedin Group.  What are your thoughts and experiences?