Last week, our team had the distinct honor of participating in the Reuters Sustainability Reporting Summit held in New York City. Not only did we have the opportunity to be a Silver Sponsor for this prestigious event, but we also took the stage to share our insights. However, beyond the presentations and panel discussions, what truly resonated with us was the chance to engage with thought leaders spearheading data-driven sustainability initiatives in their organizations.
Reuters Sustainability Reporting Summit Event Takeaways
Surrounded by the brightest minds in the sustainability sector, it became evident that we’re at a pivotal juncture in how businesses approach sustainability. The sessions, dialogues, and casual conversations were all underscored by a shared sentiment: the urgency to harness data effectively and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
From these enriching interactions and enlightening sessions, certain themes consistently arose, illuminating the path forward for businesses committed to a sustainable future.
Takeaway #1: Measurement Inspires Action
With sweeping changes on the horizon due to California’s SB 253 and SB 261, the SEC Climate Proposal, and the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the regulatory landscape for sustainability reporting is set to undergo a monumental shift. While the essence of the conference largely centered on navigating this upcoming regulatory compliance, it also underscored a critical message: the imperative of proactive measurement.
To truly be prepared for these forthcoming mandates and to anticipate the demands of significant buyers, businesses need to begin their measurement journey immediately.
This isn’t about just meeting the new standards—it’s about being a step ahead. Starting now gives organizations the breathing room to refine their metrics, identify critical areas or “hot spots” of emissions, craft a compelling sustainability narrative, and, most importantly, implement actionable solutions.
A powerful case in point is the upcoming California bill, just signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, mandating the disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2026. Firms shouldn’t adopt a last-minute approach. Starting in 2024 provides foundational data, 2025 offers a year of comparability and the identification of hotspots, while 2026 can be focused on crafting a compelling narrative around sustainability efforts come the reporting deadline. Procrastination in this realm isn’t just disadvantageous; it’s a strategic misstep.
Perfection Is The Enemy Of Good
A perfect start isn’t always feasible, nor is it always needed. As many industry experts voiced at the conference, “Don’t let the perfect keep you from the good.” Even if the numbers aren’t perfect starting somewhere is vital, as GHG Protocol allows for a certain degree of uncertainty.
Things to keep in mind:
- What do the protocols say?
- Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
- A greenhouse gas inventory is a model of reality
- Your mission is to produce reports that are: relevant, complete, consistent, transparent, accurate and assurance-ready
- Data management planning is your secret weapon
It’s important for companies just to start and set a baseline, as your baseline can always be reset later down the line. For instance, if a company begins with spend-based data and later transitions to activity-based data, there’s flexibility to reset the baseline, ensuring metrics remain relevant and insightful.
In essence, the art of measurement in sustainability is both a starting point and a continuous journey. It’s a call to action, imploring businesses not to wait. Start now, refine along the way, and leverage data-driven insights to forge a sustainable path forward.
Takeaway #2: Leading Investor-Grade Data, Ready For Assurance
The era of superficial ESG reports and greenwashing has come to an end. As sustainability data undergoes intense scrutiny, it’s imperative for companies to substantiate their claims and ensure their data is auditable.
This sentiment became a significant theme at the Reuters October ESG event. The conference theme concerned the need for quality, consistent, and accurate data amidst regulatory upheaval and standards convergence. It’s evident that the realm of sustainability and its benchmarks are evolving.
Many leaders in attendance expressed a shared challenge: acquiring good data. The availability of data isn’t the problem; its quality is. As sustainability initiatives move to the forefront of corporate agendas, the quest for superior data sources becomes paramount.
A term you’ll hear in sustainability circles more in the coming years is “investor-grade carbon data that’s ready for assurance.” It isn’t enough to merely collect data; investors and stakeholders seek a clear trace of its origins. The traceability of data, the transparency of its acquisition, and its accuracy form the bedrock of this concept.
Companies must be prepared to show their work, not just the end results. This distinction is crucial in an environment where data is abundant, but quality data is rare.
While spend-based data might offer a starting point, it’s far from the precision investors and stakeholders demand. The shift to activity-based data must be a priority. This transition isn’t just about better data; it’s about actionable and reliable insights that can drive meaningful innovation.
The importance of this shift becomes even more pronounced for companies aspiring to meet Science-Based Targets. Relying on spend-based data can mask the true environmental impact of a company’s actions, making it a shaky foundation for such ambitious goals. In contrast, activity data provides a transparent reflection of a company’s environmental footprint, offering a genuine portrayal of their journey towards achieving these sustainability benchmarks.
In essence, the convergence of data quality and investor assurance isn’t just a trend; it’s the new gold standard. Businesses that understand this, invest in it and act on it will emerge as the leaders of tomorrow’s sustainability-driven world.
Takeaway #3: Navigating the Challenge of Scope 3 Emissions
In the world of carbon accounting, Scope 3 emissions have emerged as the proverbial “elephant in the room.” While Scope 1 and 2 emissions are more straightforward to track, Scope 3 emissions pose a more significant challenge.
Scope 3 casts a wide net, capturing emissions from activities like business travel, product use, end-of-life disposal, and more. This breadth makes it both crucial for a holistic view of a company’s carbon footprint and exceptionally challenging to measure accurately.
It’s evident that companies are grappling with this challenge. As sustainability initiatives become more ambitious and encompass the entire value chain, the measurement of Scope 3 emissions moves from a “good-to-have” to an “absolute necessity.” It’s not just about understanding one’s total environmental impact but also about transparency, responsibility, and stakeholder trust.
Many organizations need help with roadblocks: fragmented data sources, inconsistent measurement standards, and the sheer complexity of tracking emissions across an expansive and varied supply chain. Yet, the gravity of the situation is apparent. Ignoring or underreporting Scope 3 emissions risks undermining an organization’s sustainability efforts and credibility in the eyes of discerning stakeholders.
As companies strive to achieve comprehensive sustainability reporting, navigating the maze of Scope 3 emissions will be essential. It’s a testament to the evolving nature of sustainability — where depth, detail, and diligence become the cornerstones of meaningful action.
Takeaway #4: Bridging the Gap between Science’s Acceptance of Uncertainty and Finance’s Need for Certainty
As sustainability reporting becomes more common in corporate strategies, the company leader tasked with managing carbon data is shifting to CFOs, financial departments and legal teams. This shift has underscored an intriguing challenge around precision.
Legal and finance sectors are realms where high degrees of certainty are preferred and demanded. Every figure and statement is meticulously analyzed for accuracy, with potential legal and financial ramifications in mind. This starkly contrasts the world of science, where uncertainty is acknowledged and often embraced.
This divergence presents a challenge. How does one discourage perfection in finance and legal teams while still walking the fine line of capturing quality, investor-grade assurance-ready carbon data? This is a gap leaders are still grappling with.
However, it’s worth noting that even in the rigid world of finance, there are precedents for operating under “good faith.” Situations arise where absolute certainty isn’t possible, yet decisions must still be made based on the best available information. As sustainability data intertwines more with financial reporting, similar principles of good faith may need to be more widely adopted. Good faith will likely include levels of uncertainty accepted under the GHG Protocol.
The road ahead requires collaboration, understanding, and perhaps a redefinition of what “certainty” means in the context of sustainability reporting. It’s a journey that promises to shape the future of corporate responsibility and disclosure.
Takeaway #5: Leveraging Sustainability Data to Drive Business Value
Sustainability isn’t merely a checkbox; it’s a treasure trove of insights that can propel businesses forward. This perspective, highlighted by Chris Fox, Chief Sustainability Officer at Hanes Brands during the conference, underscores the transformative power of carbon accounting and sustainability data.
Diving deep into carbon accounting unveils a wealth of data that paints a holistic picture of a company’s operations. From the daily commute patterns of employees to intricate product purchases and the nuances of the supply chain — everything is interwoven. And in this intricate web, hidden gems of business value lie in wait.
Unpacking this data illuminates the interconnectivity of operations, revealing inefficiencies, overlaps, and potential areas of cost-saving or process optimization. These insights have immense latent value — value that can lead to actionable strategies, cost savings, and improved operational efficiency.
Yet, the real magic happens when organizations shift their perspective. Rather than viewing sustainability as a buzzword or a compliance necessity, it’s about recognizing it for what it truly embodies: streamlining processes, ramping efficiency, and proactively preventing waste. Embracing sustainability isn’t just about environmental stewardship — it’s about reshaping and transforming business operations for the better.
In essence, sustainability is both a lens and a tool. Through its focus, companies can discover inefficiencies and opportunities, and with its data, they can innovate, adapt, and excel.
Takeaway #6: The Triad of Success — People. Process. Technology.
Technology often takes center stage as the panacea for many business challenges in the digital era. However, in sustainability management, technology is only one leg of a three-legged stool, with ‘people’ and ‘process’ being the other critical components.
Sustainability Reporting USA shone a spotlight on this integrated approach. As powerful as it might be, technology requires the right people to manage and interpret its outputs effectively. These individuals not only guide the technological tools but also shape and shepherd the processes that ensure the consistent, accurate capture and interpretation of sustainability data.
Yet, a hurdle many companies face is “change management.” A dedicated individual might helm a company’s sustainability program, but what happens if that individual departs? Suddenly, a void emerges, and without a concrete process — bolstered by tech — in place, the ability to manage and execute data-driven sustainability strategies can falter.
This emphasizes the indispensability of a robust, replicable process that remains steadfast regardless of personnel changes. Companies need to establish and cement a system that, while adaptive, offers a consistent framework for sustainability management.
In essence, while technology provides the tools, it’s the synergy of committed people and a reliable process that truly drives sustainability success. The future of effective sustainability management lies in balancing and harnessing the combined power of people, processes, and technology.
Takeaway #7: The Rise of the Climate Tech Stack
In today’s digitally driven business landscape, we’ve become accustomed to leveraging specialized tech stacks tailored for specific functions — be it marketing, sales, HR, or any other domain. These tech stacks are meticulously assembled to ensure each component serves a unique purpose, culminating in a holistic solution tailored to the intricacies of its respective field.
So, when considering the multifaceted challenge of climate and sustainability management, why do we seek a one-size-fits-all solution? Leaders at Sustainability Reporting USA 2023 found the same answer: we shouldn’t. The complexity of climate challenges defies a singular solution. No monolithic software or tool can adequately address every facet of the issue.
This realization is sparking a shift in mindset among industry leaders. Instead of searching for that elusive all-encompassing climate solution, forward-thinking companies are beginning to assemble their ‘Climate Tech Stacks.’ These stacks, much like their counterparts in other business areas, combine a suite of tools, each addressing a specific aspect of the climate challenge.
It’s a modular approach, where each piece of technology adds value, offering a comprehensive solution together. The era of seeking a universal fix is waning. In its place, the assembly of customized, agile, and adaptive climate tech stacks is emerging as the way forward.
In Conclusion — Accurate Sustainability Data Matters
In the vast and intricate world of sustainability, some choices stand out as particularly significant, and where you place your trust is paramount. Much like the increasing awareness that ‘where you bank matters’ in the broader context of ethical and responsible financial choices, the same can be said for carbon accounting. It’s not just about data; it’s about where that data comes from and how it’s interpreted.
At SustainaBase, we don’t just provide numbers — we offer the core data points essential for any organization serious about its sustainability journey. But beyond the data, we present a dedicated human team, experts in the field, backed by the most robust and accurate climate data available.
In a world filled with noise and myriad options, making factual, informed decisions around sustainability requires more than just software or generic tools. It demands expertise, dedication, and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of climate science.
You need more than numbers to make an impact and steer your organization towards a sustainable future. You need a partner, a guide, and a team that understands the nuances and intricacies of this vital journey. At SustainaBase, we are that team. Trust in us, and together, let’s shape a sustainable future built on informed choices and genuine commitment.