Per this article, CEOs are using sustainability to frame how they compete.

54% say their business is impacted by changing weather patterns and this is causing them to change how they operate.

“Smart CEOs realize big sustainability challenges create new areas of business opportunity,” states Kristen Moyer of Gartner, in the article.

Are you prepared for the fact that the environment of the future is not going to be as forgiving as the environment of the past?

Are you changing your business operation to adjust for the impact of climate change?

Are you listening to consumer demand that you verify your sustainability commitment?

Are you prepared for government compliance regarding your sustainability efforts and claims?

In effect, is sustainability part of your strategy to survive and compete?

If you are ready to prepare your company to compete in the world of today and tomorrow, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

On 20 June 2024, the UK Supreme Court Ruled that ALL Fossil Fuel Projects Must Be Assessed for Future Impact.

This ruling reflects a broader trend of courts across the world.  That trend being that the courts are not just looking at the environmental impact of developing the project, but also the long-term environmental impact that the project, once completed, will create.

In other words – If built, will the project do more long-term harm than good?  And, is there a better way to achieve the goal?

What does this mean for you?

• It will be harder for UK fossil fuel projects to be built
• It will move UK focus and financing to alternative energy projects
• It will impact UK sources and uses of energy
• It will influence global energy financiers beyond the UK market
• It will influence global governments and courts outside the UK market

As consumers look at your business, what side of this debate do they see you – are you part of the fossil fuel old guard or are you part of the eco-conscious future? 

If you wish to be viewed as part of the eco-conscious future, how are you validating that claim?

If you want cnsumers to see you as part of their future, and you wish to satisfy compliance, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

This article in the New York Post reports on this study and is consistent with other studies we have reported.  Key points

• Almost two-thirds of respondents stated they were more likely to apply to a job for a company that committed to sustainable practices.
• Three out of five respondents said they avoid employers they perceive as having a negative impact on the environment.
• 54% of respondents said that sustainability played a role in their motivation to work remotely.

Simple math – If you are looking to hire and 60% of the possible candidates will avoid you if they perceive your company is a negative impact on the environment, your hiring effort will be negatively impacted.

Sure, you can mask it.  But once they learn the truth, and they quit, the cost to you will be greater than had they not taken the position in the first place.

The Under 40 worker wants to work for a company that can prove it cares about the environment.  The Under 26 worker has an even higher expectation of same.

Those are the workers that are the future of your company.

If you want to improve your ability to hire and retain talent, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Consumer demand that companies show they are environmentally friendly has grown dramatically over the past few years causing greenwashing (making false claims about environmental actions) to grow even faster.

Per this article, according to a recent study by Zippia, 72% of North American and 58% of global companies admit to embellishing their environmental claims for economic gain.  (When they are asked confidentially, the number is even higher).

Canada is looking to slow corporate greenwashing via its new Bill C-59 by requiring claims to be supported with a valid/respected certification and 3^rd party verification.   

The C-59 fines are steep – up to $15 million, or three times the value of the ill-gained profit or 3% of the company’s profit…per offense.

Needless to say, this will impact more than Canadian companies.  It will impact any company selling product into Canada. 

The EU already has similar laws.  Expect the rest of the world to follow suit.

If you want to get ahead of this and use it to your advantage, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Per this article, SMEs are being encouraged to start the process of sustainability reporting.

The reason – Although mandatory reporting is coming soon, your customers will drive your decision even sooner.  This is an opportunity to get ahead of what is coming and take market share.

The two things you want:

• To become certified sustainable via a globally-respected program with 3^rd party verification
• To become certified carbon neutral via a globally-respected program with 3^rd party verification

If you are ready to start the process, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Consistent with our prior discussions on this point, this Forbes article explains that society has changed dramatically in the past 20 years

• “…the new reality in which corporations must operate (includes) a laundry list of sustainability-related vulnerabilities they have to account for.”
• Specific to hiring, it is expected there will soon be 85 million unfilled jobs due to the lack of skilled people.

Your ability to hire and retain talent at a price you can afford will directly influence your ability to remain in business.

Consider this:

• Your future work force is Millennials and Gen Z – The people in this picture.  They have different needs and expectations than prior generations
• More than 40% of Millennials and Gen Z plan to change jobs due to climate concerns – Net, if you are not able to prove you are sustainable and have a legitimate and actionable sustainability / climate program, expect to struggle with hiring and retention
• +76% of Millennials consider environmental / sustainability / ESG commitments when deciding where to work – Net, if you are not able to prove you are sustainable and have a legitimate environmental program, your ability to attract and retain quality talent will be solely driven by your willingness to over-pay. And, even then, expect them to leave when they find a certified sustainable company

If you want to beat your peers at hiring and retaining top talent, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

The environment is the #1 issue on the minds of consumers.  It is more important than war, economy, politics, health, et cetera to consumers.

Per this article, the vast majority of consumers want to hear about your company’s sustainability effort.  They do not believe you are doing your part and want to be shown you have a legitimate sustainability program.

That puts you in a tough spot.  If you are not environmentally certified sustainable via a recognized program with 3rd party verification, you can either…

–          Greenwash – Exaggerate your environmental achievements and hope you are not exposed

–          Greenhush – Hide under your pillow and not say anything

Given those two options, greenhushing is the smarter play. 

But consumer demand is not going away. 

What happens when a competitor becomes certified and uses that to differentiate from you?

What happens when clients stop using you?

Why not do the right thing for the planet and be the one your competitors are chasing?

If this sounds appealing, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

As Lindsay Hooper explains in this Reuters article, “In an era of disruptions, polarization, complexity and increasingly intricate environmental debates, the core business case for sustainability remains: business cannot thrive on a dead planet.”

As Lindsay further states, “The challenge is not one of lack of awareness. Most business leaders are aware of the need to act; their staff demand action, boards face new liabilities and regulations demand new disclosures. The challenge is one of speed….”

So, let’s ask this question – What are you spending time on today in your business, that can beat having spent that time on pursuing becoming environmentally certified sustainable?

Here is the case for becoming certified sustainable?

• It is the right thing to do. We could stop here.

• Certified sustainable companies are growing up to 20x faster than non-certified peers;
• 7 out of 10 consumers will move their loyalty to a business that is certified sustainable;
• 25% of consumers already have moved their purchases, the next 25 – 40% is in play;
• Approximately $500b will move from non-certified to certified companies in 2024;
• 75% of Gen X and Z view sustainability as more important than your brand name;
• Sustainability is the #1 thing consumers are using to evaluate you on the internet before deciding yes/no. Those decisions are being made right now, without your involvement;
• If you are bidding jobs and your offer is consistent on price/quality, the client will be obligated to select you;
• Your corporate clients are moving to vendors that are certified;
• Your hiring and retention of employees will be less costly;
• Governments are tightening regulations requiring it;
• Cost of money (both debt and equity) is lower;
• Finding money (both debt and equity) is easier;
• 99% of certified sustainable companies are enjoying lower costs;
• Margins are better because you can charge more in combination with your lower costs.

So, when you look back on your work today, did you deliver more than the above for you, your company, your children and your community?

If not, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

DPPs (Digital Product Passports) provide comprehensive product data across the value chain.  Similar to an ingredient label on a food product, the DPP will show, to regulators and consumers, the entire supply chain performance on things like environmental sustainability, compliance, traceability, et cetera.

The EU will require DPPs starting in 2027.  That means, organizations have 30 months to get their supply chains ‘ready to be seen for what they are.’

North America, Asia Pacific and other regions will follow, starting with luxury and big-brands, then expanding to mass market.

Per this article, it is estimated that +62 billion DPPs will be issued in 2030, in just the apparel industry.

High-impact sectors like batteries, vehicles, textiles, electronics, furniture, plastics, construction and chemicals have been leading the adoption, but all industries know this is coming.

Given that the environment is the #1 issue on the minds of consumers, forward-thinking brands are leading the implementation of DPPs.  They know regulations are coming and they need to get their supply chains (ie, either you or your competitor) in line.  They do not want their brand’s poor environmental sustainability supply chain performance made public. 

This ties back to our repeated posts about how important, AND PUBLICALLY-EXPOSED, an organization’s vendors (who are part of its Scope 3 obligations) have become.  An organization can no longer ignore its own environmental sustainability obligations or the lack of environmental sustainability commitment from its vendors.

Will your company ignore this until you are forced to act; or do you see the opportunity to lead and take market share?

If you wish to use this to your advantage, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.