The research has been published in the Tomorrow’s Value Rating (TVR), now in its tenth year, which assesses the sustainability performance of leading businesses worldwide.

The TVR examines the sustainability programmes of 50 companies listed as eligible for the 2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The research assesses 10 companies from each of five sectors: automotive, energy utilities, food and beverages, ICT and oil and gas. From each sector, it includes the DJSI supersector leader and a further nine companies eligible for the DJSI from that sector with the largest 2012 revenues.

Although the overall winner for 2013 was Unilever with a score of 91%, the top 10 also included BMW and Ford which both scored 80%. Fiat came third within the automotive sector with a score of 78%.

DNV Two Tomorrows Ltd, which runs the research, also said that the automotive sector demonstrated strong performance with an average TVR score of 70% – ahead of all the other sectors studied in the TVR 2013

It added that unlike in other sectors, there was a high convergence in scores for the automotive sector – even the weakest performer scored 60%, not far off the overall average TVR score of 63% across all five sectors covered

In its comments, the TVR report said of the carmakers studied: ‘Binding contractual terms based on sustainability principles and policies, self-assessment questionnaires and follow- up compliance audits are the norm in the industry. BMW, GM and Volkswagen have taken an even more progressive approach to risk management by performing integrity checks before entering into business relations with new suppliers. However, risk will only be minimised when visibility is maximised. That calls for independent certification and improved transparency on whether suppliers have met sustainability standards and policies.

‘The leaders in the TVR 2013 have also recognised the need to develop more collaborative techniques for managing supply chain impacts. The focus has shifted to empowering suppliers to become long-term business partners in finding solutions to key challenges. Best practice examples include fostering information sharing and innovation through supplier conventions and online portals, acknowledging sustainability performance with supplier awards and giving equal chances to all through diversity and local-supplier programmes.’