Design Thinking: Unlocking ESG Together Recap

“As one of the lucky ambassadors for sustainability, I got to host a room full of great ideas along with interesting questions and solutions. The group was really inquisitive and from the get-go was informed that at least one member had no intention of sticking to the agenda, which I loved – in sustainability, we must break out of the normal way of thinking, we have to collaborate in new ways and stop allowing traditional business to define how we operate.

One of the biggest points of our table was education, not only as an issue, but also as a solution. The issue came from the breadth and depth of sustainability and how it can be quite daunting trying to understand sustainability, along with how to effectively introduce good ideas into your business, and where to start. From a solution perspective it is really about just that topic, education. The only way to build, get people fully engaged with a company’s strategy, delivery, and good practices is by education.

First, how to define and understand sustainability? The UN Sustainability Development goals should always be a first step, as this is the global standard for action in sustainability. This will help understand the agenda of what needs to be done by all companies and governments worldwide. Allocate actions to a goal set out within that framework then means that it can be tracked and reported on to help gauge its effectiveness.

Another comment was that there was so much to do, and it can be quite overwhelming. Most companies should be focusing on 3 to 4 SDGs as core priorities and supporting others in small ways where they can. There will then be great impact in these areas relating to your business and resources will not be spread thin against any unrealistic goals. Checking best practices within your approach will also be important – many companies are getting into the sustainability market, and they don’t all have good intentions or practices. One such action is just ‘planting trees’ when your company is not looking at reduction of carbon emissions, or any other part of becoming a more sustainable company.

Many think sustainability is just about the environment, however that is only one part of it (albeit a very important part). Companies use the term ESG (Environmental Social Governance): These pillars help guide businesses to ensure that areas like D&I, mental health, and community support are covered, and governance is ensuring compliance, pushing legislation in the right direction, and supporting active movements for better sustainable practices.

The infrastructure within many industries to make change is still not where it needs to be, and sometimes finding solutions for environmental issues can be difficult and expensive, however there are lots of free resources available and processes you can put into place. For example, you can take a B-Corp assessment for free and that will not only tell you where you are, but also exactly what you need to be aiming for in terms of actions. Another is working through sites such as SHIFT (one of my favorites); encourage employees to look through as it is truly illuminating, and many people once they know some of the facts around sustainability will do something at some point to be more sustainable, but it can take time, so it is important not to push people to do things they are not ready for – we all learn at different rates and in different ways. No matter the company, journey, bank balance, or intent, every company can be doing something toward sustainability, whether it be paying staff above minimum wage, encouraging positive and open communication on mental health, supporting D&I initiatives within the workplace, reporting on emissions, or putting best practices or eco-friendly purchase policies in place.

Your supply chain is also for many companies your route to success. Most companies’ scope 3 emissions are their largest source of emissions. A point we spoke about within the session was that accreditations are all good, but don’t be prepared to ask your supply chain to do what you are not doing yourself, and question companies who are asking you to do it if they have not. I have witnessed companies move away from their suppliers who are not doing everything they can to be sustainable, for companies who are sustainable. Be loyal, help suppliers get to where they need to be, and you will be rewarded for it 10x over. Your company’s journey is your supply chain’s journey as well – it is a complete system and if we don’t all get there, we all fail.

Finally, transparency and engagement are crucial. Having a sustainability committee with the ability to suggest and make change and attend events or webinars that teach them best practices will have an impact. Then transparency, just be honest. Commit to a few goals – you don’t have to change the world overnight, but tell your teams and the world what they are. If you don’t hit them, explain why and don’t cover them up. The ambition sometimes gets you to a better place than the goal itself. Don’t be afraid to try and fail, be afraid of not committing to something great.

Finally lastly, above everything else… be kind.”