What does ESG leadership look like in practice? When companies turn ambition into measurable impact, they shift from statements to stories. These stories inspire confidence among investors and stakeholders, and show how sustainability can be integrated with profitability.

Below are five compelling case studies of companies that exemplify real‑world ESG success in 2025. They highlight practical strategies, measurable results, and credible frameworks that businesses of all sizes can learn from.

1. How Standard Chartered is financing a net‑zero banking future?

What was the challenge?

Standard Chartered faced pressure to decarbonize not only its own operations but also the financed emissions from the high‑emitting clients it supports across emerging markets.

What did the company do?

In early 2025, Standard Chartered published a scientific transition plan. It commits to net‑zero operational emissions by 2025 and net‑zero financed emissions by 2050. The bank set interim sector targets and integrated climate risk into its credit decisions. It scaled up sustainable finance products tied to these goals.

What was the impact?

The bank reported nearly $1 billion in income from sustainable finance in 2024, on track to exceed this in 2025. It set a 29 percent reduction target for oil and gas financed emissions by 2030, demonstrating that climate leadership and profitability can align.

Key learnings:

Align climate ambition with lending decisions. Use science‑based targets that investors and regulators trust.

2. How Tesla powered ESG through renewable operations and innovation?

What was the challenge?

Tesla needed to show that its business was more than electric vehicles, it was reducing carbon in practice across its operations and infrastructure.

What did the company do?

Tesla disclosed that it has powered its global Supercharger network with 100 percent renewable electricity for four consecutive years. Its Gigafactory in Berlin has operated entirely on renewables since 2023.

What was the impact?

By powering EV charging infrastructure with renewable energy, Tesla reinforced the full carbon benefit of its vehicles and showcased operational leadership.

Key learnings:

Ensure facilities match product ambition. Transparency about operational emissions strengthens credibility.

3. How IKEA enforces ESG in its supply chain with IWAY?

What was the challenge?

As one of the world’s largest retailers, IKEA needed to ensure its complex supplier network upheld ethical and environmental standards.

What did the company do?

IKEA established and updated its supplier code of conduct, known as IWAY. The sixth edition focuses on worker rights, health and safety, water and waste management, and the prevention of child labour.

What was the impact?

The code reinforces supplier risk mitigation and aligns business incentives with ethical operations across manufacturing networks.

Key learnings:

Clear supply‑chain codes backed by audit and engagement create lasting impact and transparency.

4. How Danone is scaling ESG at multinational scale?

What was the challenge?

Danone aimed to become a certified B Corp across 90 000 employees in more than 55 countries while reducing its methane emissions in dairy operations.

What did the company do?

Danone committed to a 30 percent reduction in livestock methane emissions by 2030, using feed additives and regenerative agriculture. It also expanded its plant‑based product portfolio after acquiring WhiteWave Foods.

What was the impact?

Despite founder‑level controversy and shareholder pushback, Danone is still pursuing B Corp status and is reinforcing long‑term ESG commitment at scale.

Key learnings:

Multinational companies can adopt stakeholder‑focused governance and push innovation across product lines, even when outside pressures are intense.

5. How Unilever under Paul Polman redefined corporate governance?

What was the challenge?

Unilever sought to pivot from short‑term shareholder value toward long‑term stakeholder value and responsible governance.

What did the company do?

The board structure was overhauled to include environmental leaders and global activists. Quarterly earnings guidance was abolished in favour of field visits to supply chain locations and stakeholder learning sessions before board meetings.

What was the impact?

Over Polman’s ten‑year tenure, Unilever’s shareholder return rose nearly 300 percent, outperforming its sector while embedding stakeholder‑driven governance.

Key learnings:

Governance models that include diverse stakeholders and long‑term perspectives can outperform financially while raising ESG integrity.

Why these case studies matter for businesses today?

These case studies offer more than inspiration. They provide clear proof that ESG action can align with financial performance. Key takeaways include:

External validation builds trust: Science‑based plans, B Corp audits, and robust ESG disclosures amplify credibility.
Operational alignment is essential: ESG must be integrated into core business functions, not confined to communications teams.
Leadership commitment matters: CEOs and boards set the tone by making ESG part of governance and executive incentives.
Supply chain leverage is powerful: Ethical sourcing codes and climate risk criteria across suppliers drive lasting change.
Innovation at scale is possible: Even multinationals can adopt regenerative agriculture and renewable operations with measurable results.

These stories show that ESG is not separate from business. It is a pathway to resilience, innovation, and leadership.

Final thoughts on ESG leadership in action

It is one thing to set sustainability goals. It is another to deliver results.

The brands featured here show how climate-aligned finance, clean operations, ethical supply chains, inclusive governance, and product innovation can converge to create impact.

They demonstrate that ESG leadership is not about one action. It is about embedding strategy, targets, metrics, and purpose deeply into operations.

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