Given that we are all trying to achieve our 2026 plans, this article, showing a study using AI on 10,000 companies over 12 years, might be worth considering

• Using the S&P 500 as a base

• The portfolio study group that focused on sustainability-related R&D / new products, outperformed peers by 92%

• The portfolio group that focused on financial donations or communications campaigns (ie, the sizzle without the steak) underperformed peers by 70%

If you would prefer to outperform peers rather than underperform peers, watch this master class and contact us.

May 2026 was the second warmest May in recorded history, trailing only 2024.

With 2024 being the warmest year so far, in recorded history, 2023, 2025 and 2026 are all clustered near it.

2026 will conclude as the 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th warmest year in history, battling 2023 and 2025.

El Niño is expected to arrive too late to propel 2026 to #1.  But it might cause 2027 to get there.

As this article states, “Corporations across the economy are at risk of losing financial value by either underplaying or overplaying their hand when it comes to sustainability.”

There is a cost attached to greenwashing (ie, overstating your sustainability achievements) and there is also a cost attached to not having a sustainability program or having one and greenhushing (ie, not promoting your validated sustainability achievements).

Both greenwashing and greenhushing are hurting company bottom lines. 

If your sustainability claims are not validated/certified and you are promoting them, it negatively impacts your brand and value.  On the other hand, if you do not have a sustainability program; or if you have a valid/certified sustainability program but are not talking about it; that also negatively impacts your brand and value.

As an example, per the study, if Microsoft did a better job of talking about its sustainability program, it could add approximately $1.5 billion to its overall company value.

Pepsi could add $500 million, or 3%, to its overall value, if it did a better job of promoting its sustainability program.

On the other hand, Tesla, which does not score well on social sustainability or governance, has $4 billion, or 6% of its value, at risk, due to over-promotion of programs that are not certified and are not as good as they claim….and the market sees it.

The key takeaways for your company:

• Like it or not, consumers are evaluating your company on its sustainability effort
• A meaningful part of your company’s value is tied to its sustainability effort
• Greenwashing (promoting a sustainability effort that is not validated/certified by a 3^rd party) will hurt you
• Greenhushing (not promoting a sustainability program that is 3^rd party validated/certified) will hurt you
• You need a 3^rd party certified/validated sustainability program that helps you promote your real/accurate sustainability efforts
• This masterclass explains what to look for in a program

Maximize ROI:  Boost Revenue with Edenark Group’s Sustainability Certification and Marketing Support

In today’s market, sustainability is a decisive factor for consumers, who increasingly prioritize companies that demonstrate real environmental responsibility. However, beyond just meeting customer expectations, sustainability can drive significant financial benefits. Edenark Group’s sustainability certification doesn’t just help businesses adopt eco-friendly practices—it positions them for increased ROI and sustained revenue growth. Paired with Edenark Group’s expert marketing support, this certification enables companies to tap into the eco-conscious market, improving their image and boosting long-term profitability. This article explains how Edenark Group’s certification can elevate both your environmental impact and your financial outcomes.

Unlocking ROI through Verified Sustainability Certification

Achieving sustainability certification is an investment that pays dividends by enhancing credibility and operational efficiency. The Edenark Group ISO 14001 environmental sustainability certification process ensures that a company’s environmental practices aren’t merely self-reported but are certified, and verified by an independent third party, against a globally respected standard. This certification + verification gives companies a competitive edge, attracting customers who value genuine commitments to sustainability over superficial “greenwashing.” Edenark Group’s certification process also helps the client focus on key operational areas that need enhancement, such as energy efficiency and waste reduction, helping improve operations and cut costs. The combination of operational efficiency and cost savings improves ROI from the expense side of the P&L.

But Edenark Group does not stop there.

Certified sustainable businesses also have revenue side opportunity.  The reason so many companies are greenwashing is they know consumers, both B2Band B2C, are looking for companies that are sustainable and will move their business when they find one.  This presents additional profit and ROI potential.

To take advantage of this, the certified sustainable company must be able to talk about its environmental sustainability program and accomplishments.  However, since most companies are not experienced in how to do this, Edenark Group helps.  By doing so, the client benefits on both the cost side and the revenue side of its P&L.

Amplifying ROI Impact with Revenue Side Marketing Support

Edenark Group doesn’t just help companies become environmentally certified sustainable.  It starts its revenue side marketing support before the client starts its certification application process.  In fact, for clients that take full advantage of this incorporated service, it is a way to achieve positive ROI even before becoming certified, due to the revenue-side marketing support provided by Edenark Group.

Edenark Group helps every client leverage the certification to its fullest potential. With its customized marketing support, Edenark Group helps its clients communicate their environmental achievements in a way that resonates with modern, eco-conscious audiences. From crafting impactful social media content to creating market-facing images and content that repeatedly communicates the client’s sustainability credentials to its stakeholders.  This becomes a key part of the client’s brand identity and competitive differentiation.

The marketing support does not stop with the certification.  It includes crafting and recommending messages for the client throughout the year, tied to major global dates.  These additional talking points enhance the client’s brand year-round.  By tying the certification promotion with the major global events promotion, the client has fresh talking points for the balance of the year, that stand out from the competition.  This attracts new customers who prioritize sustainability and retains those who value consistency and integrity. Edenark Group’s support extends to participating with its clients on calls with their customers.  This added layer of expertise enhances the Edenark Group client’s image with its customers.

Real-World Benefits for All

Edenark Group ISO 14001 clients win on both sides of their P&L.  The operational enhancement and cost savings combine with the revenue side competitive differentiation marketing support, to create an overall program that maximizes ROI and profit while also doing the right thing for the environment and all stakeholders.

The Edenark Group ISO 14001 Program is a Unique Program for You 

With the Edenark Group ISO 14001 program, a company can be certified and verified under a globally respected program, thus addressing mandates, compliances and greenwashing risks.

While it is doing the right thing for the environment and gaining the satisfaction internally for same, the client is also improving its image, addressing market demand, differentiating from competitors, enjoying fresh talking points, and seeing cost side and revenue side progress on its P&L.

If you’re prepared to strengthen both your environmental impact and your financial performance, Edenark Group offers the expertise to make it happen. Contact us today to learn how our certification and marketing support can position your business for lasting success in the world economy.

Per this article, studies show that even in these inflationary times, consumers are willing to pay 10% more for sustainable products, BUT ONLY WHEN THEY TRUST THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS BEHIND THEM.

Consumers are catching on to companies that greenwash (exaggerate their environmental accomplishments).  Making the claim without being certified/verified will not generate the support and will also put your company at risk.

If you want to differentiate from your competitive peers and charge more for your product/service, become certified sustainable with 3^rd party verification.

If done right, the financial benefit to your company will far exceed the cost of becoming certified sustainable.

If you want to differentiate and charge higher prices, watch this master class; then contact us.

A study discussed in this article reports

• 98% of CEOs believe they need to make their businesses more sustainable
• But 58% believe sustainability is in conflict with growth

Response:  If you believe, as the 58% do, that sustainability is in conflict with growth, you are talking to the wrong sustainability advisors.

The study then asked Next-gen leaders for advice and was told to

• Make sustainability more human, then determine how to do so profitably
• Think long-term and allow sustainability initiatives time to scale
• Broaden the definition of success and collaborate across your ecosystem

Response:  Not sure how many of those next-gen leaders are sitting in the CEO chair.  All three of those solutions suggest reducing or diluting the focus on profit which is not an appealing option for most CEOs.  We suggest the opposite – use sustainability as a profit-driver and prioritize sustainability projects that have the highest ROI.

Simple fact:  For-profit companies are for profit.  Their advisor should build their sustainability program to support that.  This webinar speaks to that point.

As this article explains wonderfully, Supply Chains are now facing a three-headed monster looking for environmental disclosure information:

• The first is trade compliance – Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) demands require specificity that most procurement departments are not set up to provide.
• The second is Scope 3 emissions disclosures – California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) requires Scope three disclosures beginning in six months for companies over $1b. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) looks at value-chain emissions also.  Neither of these, nor the others coming online, will be easy for procurement departments or vendors to address.
• The third is investor and buyer scrutiny – Studies are showing that companies that have command over their supply chain carbon emissions are differentiating themselves from their peers who do not.

Bottom line – this is not going away and will only increase.  Those organizations that get ahead of it are taking market share from those who are not.

If you want to differentiate from your competitors and take market share, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Are you listening to your customer?

88% of consumers want you, a company selling them products/services, to help them make a difference, by being more environmentally friendly.

This is consistent with other studies that show that 87% of the largest buying group (Under 40 Consumer) and 71% of ALL consumers, will move their business to a certified sustainable company.

25% of consumers have already changed vendors due to their desire to find a certified sustainable company.  Did you win any of that business?

The next 20 – 43% of consumers moving their business is in play right now.  Will you be a giver or taker for this market share?

Large organizations are mandated by their own sustainability programs to move their vendor relationships to certified sustainable companies.  As vendors, this will be a curse for some and an opportunity for others.  Which will it be for your company?

Your customer is speaking.  Are you listening?

If you want to get in differentiate from your competitors and take market share, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Leading Peers asked Edenark Group CEO, David Goodman, to give this masterclass webinar on Using Sustainability Certification to Differentiate.

We hope you find it beneficial for future decisions for your organization.

Should you have questions, please contact us here.