Sustainability is a continuing trend world-wide. However, not many companies have been following sustainable practices properly. Several big brand companies claim to be sustainable under the premise of green washing; otherwise known as using green marketing to promote the perception that the company's aims and policies are, in fact, environmentally friendly. The list provided (bit.ly/NlEj5x) showcases up to 100 of the world's most sustainable companies for 2012.

North American companies are falling behind in comparison to Europe, Australia and South America (Brazil's Natura Cosmeticos S.a. holds the number two spot) who dominate the top 10 spots on the list). The first Canadian company on the list, Suncor Energy Inc, is ranked as No. 47 out of 100.

Why do you think Canadian companies are so far behind? Are sustainability practices that expensive to implement? What is driving companies that push to be near the top of the list?