Q&A: Lexmark sustainability chief on defying ESG criticism to ‘stay the course’
By 
Aaron Nicodemus2023-09-08T14:14:00
John Gagel, chief sustainability officer for Lexmark International, discusses with Compliance Week why the private company tracks its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and plans to comply with the climate-related disclosure rule proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Lexmark, created in 1991 as a spinoff from IBM, is a global imaging and internet of things solutions provider based in Lexington, Ky. Gagel is responsible for managing the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program, as well as initiatives and strategy development in global sustainability, circular economy, product sustainability, and carbon neutrality.
Responses in the Q&A below have been edited for brevity.
Related articles
-
PremiumConcessions can’t save ‘cursed’ SEC climate disclosure rule from scrutiny
The Securities and Exchange Commission finally approved its ground-breaking climate-related disclosure rule, nearly two years since it was originally proposed. Though the agency significantly watered down aspects of its proposal, the rule is already facing the prospect of legal challenge.
-
PremiumAssessing the value of COSO sustainability reporting guidance
Companies that haven’t yet set up verifiable reporting in their sustainability programs have a ready reference available in the framework put out by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, experts discussed at CW’s virtual ESG Summit.
-
PremiumPath to ESG assurance a crawl-walk-run exercise
It’s important companies exercise patience when determining when to begin an assurance engagement, experts explained during a session at CW’s virtual ESG Summit.
More from ESG/Social Responsibility
-
ArticleCompliance must use AI to maximize benefits from sustainability reporting
Global pressure for sustainability reporting is rising. Despite political uncertainty and regulatory delays, companies continue to improve reports for regulators and stakeholders with the help of AI.
-
ArticleCompliance should prepare for more ESG reporting as global pressure rises
Most major organizations are not changing their ESG reporting plans, despite “regulatory ambiguity”, according to a report by consultancy KPMG. The researchers say this indicates market expectations are driving action as much as legal requirements.
-
Basic PageSEC dodges commitment on climate rule enforcement
The SEC refused to say whether it would enforce its landmark Climate-Related Disclosure Rules in a status report filed Wednesday, deepening uncertainty as the regulation faces legal challenges.