Integrated Corporate Sustainability Strategies in Latin America

The Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA), in partnership with the Business School of the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez of Chile, worked together to survey the member companies of 11 of the American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) in Latin America. The results of the study, featured in this Integrated Corporate Sustainability Strategies of Latin America report, offer insights into how AmCham member companies are integrating sustainability into their business strategies, and how these findings compare at a sub-regional and country-specific level.

Report Summary

The study analyzed the key pillars that enable companies of different sizes and from different sectors and countries to integrate sustainability into their business strategy. The sample universe was limited to AmCham member companies and defined jointly by the research team and the AmCham office in each participating country. The survey was anonymous and conducted online, and transnational companies were asked to respond considering only the operation in each country.

This report, published in both English and Spanish, summarizes the results from the study. It explores two key dimensions: Sustainability Embeddedness and Stakeholder Openness, identifying organizational approaches and their implications for sustainability and economic performance.

The report also features case studies from two of AACCLA’s Leadership Circle Members, DHL and Brambles, highlighting their sustainability initiatives and leadership across the region.

The authors bear sole responsibility for the results, findings, and recommendations presented in this work.

Objectives:

• Analyze the extent to which companies operating in Latin America are integrating sustainability into their business strategies.
• Make visible the strategies and positive impacts of companies like DHL and Brambles in Latin America.
• Provide guidance to companies that seek to include environmental goals into business strategy and recommendations to governments in the region.

Report Highlights:

• Perception of Risk for Business: In this study, the companies analyzed anticipate predominantly negative impacts on their business in light of the main global trends. Corruption is identified as the main future risk (71%) followed by organized crime (69%), cybersecurity (68%), and political polarization (57%). In terms of climate change and natural disasters, 61% of companies anticipate negative impacts, placing physical environmental risks on the same level of concern as institutional and security risks.
• Diversity of Organizational Approaches: Companies that participated in the study vary widely in sustainability integration. The study identifies four approaches: Normative (44%), Strategic (31%), Cautious (15%), and Tactical (10%).
• Governance and Policy: Most companies that participated in the study have sustainability policies and dedicated budgets, and 70% discuss sustainability at the board level. However, 23% lack formal governance structures.
• Voluntary Sustainability Reporting: Most participating companies report on sustainability, focusing on material risks, but the level of detail—especially regarding targets, negative impacts, and mitigation plans—varies. Only half seek external verification.

Download the full report in English or Spanish.

About the author

Cole Matino