Interbrand (http://www.interbrand.com), a brand consultancy firm, has released its fourth annual Best Global Green Brands report, which examines the gap that exists between a brand’s environmental performance and consumers’ perceptions of that performance. Apple is number 22 on the list, down one spot from 2013.
Topping the list is Ford. Toyota, which had held the top spot since the report debuted in 2011, falls to #2 with Honda (#3), Nissan (#4) and Panasonic (#5) rounding out the top five and maintaining each of their 2013 positions.
Sony (#7) and Adidas (#8) enter into the top 10 for the first time, while Johnson & Johnson falls six places to #12 and Volkswagen falls nine places to #16. The top rise is IKEA, which climbed 14 spots to secure the #19 position, while Zara also climbed 14 places to claim the #34 position. Philips moved up nine places to take the #14 spot and adidas jumped up seven places to #8.
Automotive, electronic & technology brands occupy nearly 50% of the overall ranking; 10 brands hail from the automotive sector, while 12 brands come from the electronics and technology sectors. Brands within the financial services sector struggle to become sustainability leaders: Allianz and Citi fall off this year’s ranking, while AXA falls one place to take the #45 position and Santander moves up two places to #44. Three new brands joined the 2014 ranking, including Chevrolet (#32), Disney (#49), and Heineken (#50).
