Futur/io’s 2025 CSO Awards
3 minute read
On Monday night, we had the privilege of attending the second annual Futur/io CSO Awards Europe. Hosted at the iconic Hotel Schatzalp in Davos, Switzerland, and during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, the event celebrated Europe’s most influential Chief Sustainability Officers.
“By spotlighting the work of Chief Sustainability Officers, we aim to inspire bold ambition and drive the creation of the desirable futures we all want to live in,” said Harald Neidhardt, CEO & Curator of the Futur/io Institute. This vision reflects the institute’s mission to create an strong global network of CSOs.
The Winners Are…
Women are leading the way in sustainability: by 2021, over 54% of Chief Sustainability Officer roles were held by women – a significant jump from 28% in 2011. This year, women made up over 60% of the top 100 CSOs, demonstrating a decade of transformative growth in female leadership.
Congratulations to:
What Sets These CSOs Apart?
Exceptional leadership, bold innovation and measurable impact define this year’s winners. They are redefining what’s possible for sustainability on a global scale. Here’s how they did it:
Claire Lund GSK
- Global health leadership
In 2023, GSK reached 89 million people in lower-income countries with vaccines and antiretrovirals, advancing its 2030 goal of positively impacting 2.5 billion lives. - Bold innovation for climate impact
The company’s low-carbon Ventolin programme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from inhalers by 90%, - DEI commitment
GSK achieved 45% representation of women in VP-and-above roles globally, hitting a key milestone in its diversity, equity and inclusion goals
Katie McGinty Johnson Controls
- Net zero leadership
Johnson Controls has cut its operational carbon emissions by 43.8% and is on track to achieve net zero by 2040, surpassing Paris Agreement targets. - Sustainable supply chains
38% of the company’s procurement spend, over 1,600 suppliers, underwent third-party sustainability assessments. Johnson Controls quadrupled the sustainability rating weight in supplier scorecards, with supplier scorecards prioritising sustainability alongside cost and quality. - Innovative decarbonisation
Through “Net Zero Buildings as a Service”, the company offers scalable solutions for emissions reductions paired with operational cost savings.
Rajita D’Souza STMicroelectronics
- Progressing big targets
The global sourcing of electricity from renewable energy grew to 71%, on track to 100% by 2027. - Circular economy leadership
Reduced the impact on the semiconductor industry through closed-loop programmes for metals, reaching a 99% recovery rate. - Global commitment to people
With 50,000+ employees worldwide, ST has been voted a top employer, globally, in performance areas across ethics, integrity and environment.
The Blueprint for a Winning CSO
What does it take to claim the top spot? These awardees show that sustainability success requires:
- Scale. Leadership in organisations with €1B+ annual revenue and over 5,000 employees, aiming for transformative sustainability impact.
- Transparency. Detailed, data-driven reporting that tracks progress on emissions, biodiversity and social equity.
- Science-led strategy. Adoption of cutting-edge tools like Imperial College’s Maturity Index to integrate behavioural insights and evidence-based practices.
- Bold innovation. Pushing the boundaries of ESG to exceed compliance and deliver real-world impact.
- Measurable impact. Proven success in emissions reduction, biodiversity conservation, DEI and beyond.
