In spite of widespread buzz about corporate sustainability, research shows that, for many companies, sustainability is still mostly a public relations exercise. UNC Kenan-Flagler Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Center for Sustainable Enterprise Faculty Director Olga Hawn discusses new research from colleagues Caroline Flammer (Boston University Questrom), Bryan Hong (NYU Stern) and Dylan Minor (Northwestern University Kellogg) which found that companies that adopt corporate social responsibility contracting have a greater and more pervasive focus on sustainability, are better able to track their ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance and are more likely to achieve their social and environmental goals.