Providing energy access to primary education and healthcare centres in rural MP
Providing energy access to primary education and healthcare centres in rural parts of Madhya Pradesh
The impact organisations have on their employees, supply chain workers, communities, customers and other stakeholders is profound. Organisations that recognise social sustainability as not just a moral obligation but a strategic advantage that allows them to identify impacts, opportunities and risks are making meaningful contributions to the stakeholders they serve.
Social sustainability is intricately tied to environmental and economic sustainability and is directly impacted by how organisations tackle and respond to climate challenges and risk mitigation. By addressing these interconnected issues, organisations can unlock opportunities for innovation, value creation and business reinvention. In so doing, they can also provide opportunities for broad, socially sustainable growth.
PwC offers services that enable organisations to enhance their social sustainability performance and capitalise on value creation opportunities driven by regulatory and reporting requirements related to social sustainability.
What are the drivers of social sustainability?
Our sustainability services are focused on supporting the drivers of social sustainability by building trust through strategic thinking and by solving societal issues at pace and scale.
Stakeholder pressure
Stakeholders are increasingly concerned about social issues and prefer to engage with organisations whose social sustainability performance aligns with their values, as revealed in PwC research:
- 77% of consumers find it very or extremely important for organisations to treat employees/workers fairly and ethically to build trust (PwC Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024).
- Almost half of employees say that opportunities to learn new skills are crucial when deciding whether to stay with their employer or leave for another job (PwC Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2024).
- 80% of investors say they would increase their investment in organisations working with suppliers and communities to build sustainable value chains (PwC Global Investor Survey 2024).
To thrive, organisations must implement robust stakeholder engagement strategies, addressing the needs of consumers, employees, investors and communities in order to align with evolving social values and sustainability expectations.
Evolving reporting requirements and regulatory landscape
The social sustainability reporting landscape is rapidly transforming, driven by evolving regulations and standards that present both challenges and opportunities for organisations.
To meet complex requirements, organisations must enhance their systems, data management, and teams’ capabilities. Regulatory evolution, including modern slavery laws and gender equality standards, compels organisations to integrate ethical practices into core operations and value chains, enabling rigorous social accountability. How organisations interpret emerging social sustainability concepts is crucial in determining how they invest in it.
How we can help
Social sustainability extends beyond charitable work. Like climate action, it can be quantified in terms of the risks, opportunities and impacts it has on the business and its long-term sustainability.
PwC offers social sustainability services that help clients understand, measure and improve their social sustainability performance, building a more resilient business model and turning risks into opportunities quickly and effectively. By focusing on social sustainability, businesses can enhance their brand, attract top talent and build customer loyalty, leading to long-term success.
We work with clients to achieve fair and lasting results, supporting change to build a future-ready workforce, sustainable supply chains, strong communities and fair market practices.
Social strategy
Developing a social strategy is complex, requiring organisations to navigate diverse stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. This involves addressing varied priorities across regions with distinct laws and social standards. Successful strategies seamlessly integrate into all aspects of business, including core strategies and environmental initiatives.
PwC’s social sustainability consulting services provide expertise in creating thorough strategies that tackle the intricate connections among social, economic and environmental impacts. Our support encompasses understanding, identifying, measuring, reporting and transforming social sustainability performance.
Social sustainability services case studies
Our work with clients has shown that organisations that prioritise social sustainability not only comply with regulatory requirements but also gain a competitive edge. For instance, our work has demonstrated how integrating social sustainability into core strategies can lead to enhanced employee engagement, improved supply chain resilience and stronger community relations.
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Beyond Extraction – Exploring the impact of mining operations
The mining industry, often criticised for its environmental footprint, has a story that extends beyond extraction.
Building trust in Unilever’s global sustainability reporting
To build trust in the progress Unilever is making towards its sustainability performance goals, PwC UK works to independently assure its annual reporting.
A proactive approach to how VS Industry identified and resolved foreign labour issues
VS Industry Berhad (VS) is a leading provider of electronics manufacturing services. VS prioritises corporate responsibility and is committed to sustainable and ethical operations.
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Social sustainability services insights
A guide to paying a fair and sustainable wage
Demystifying the living wage journey for businesses globally by providing practical pointers and benchmarks to navigate by.
Tackling inequality: an agenda for business action
To tackle inequality, our business practices and models must change.
Putting Skills First
A new approach could help 100 million people globally either enter the workforce or get better jobs
The Net Zero Generation
Why the world needs to upskill youth to enable the net zero transition
Additional sustainability services
Contact us
Managing Director, Global Social Sustainability Lead, PwC Australia
Tel: +61 403 778 293