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Last updated on Dec 15, 2024
  1. All
  2. Sustainability
  3. Corporate Sustainability

Your sustainability goals seem unclear to leadership. How can you make them understand and value them?

Making leadership understand and value your sustainability goals requires clear communication and demonstrating their alignment with business objectives. Here’s how you can achieve that:

  • Translate goals into business benefits: Show how sustainability initiatives can reduce costs, drive innovation, or enhance brand reputation.

  • Provide data and case studies: Use concrete examples and metrics to illustrate the impact and feasibility of your goals.

  • Engage leadership in dialogue: Foster ongoing conversations to ensure alignment and address any concerns or misconceptions.

What strategies have you found effective in making leadership value sustainability goals? Share your insights.

Sustainability Sustainability

Sustainability

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Last updated on Dec 15, 2024
  1. All
  2. Sustainability
  3. Corporate Sustainability

Your sustainability goals seem unclear to leadership. How can you make them understand and value them?

Making leadership understand and value your sustainability goals requires clear communication and demonstrating their alignment with business objectives. Here’s how you can achieve that:

  • Translate goals into business benefits: Show how sustainability initiatives can reduce costs, drive innovation, or enhance brand reputation.

  • Provide data and case studies: Use concrete examples and metrics to illustrate the impact and feasibility of your goals.

  • Engage leadership in dialogue: Foster ongoing conversations to ensure alignment and address any concerns or misconceptions.

What strategies have you found effective in making leadership value sustainability goals? Share your insights.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
62 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dilek Sarıaslan

    Sustainability & Management Systems Manager

    • Report contribution

    Sharing sustainability goals with management and showing their importance can be a challenging process, especially in some countries and small companies, where financial priorities often come before structural needs in the current economic environment. Most of the time, the focus is on short-term gains, while the long-term benefits of sustainability efforts are overlooked. *In environmental sustainability, projects like energy efficiency, water management, and waste reduction may seem to offer limited cost advantages at first. However, their long-term savings and reputation benefits, such as reducing the carbon footprint, should be strongly emphasized.

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    10
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Sina Es'hagh

    Entrepreneur | Helping Brands Communicate, Engage & Grow | Passionate About Sustainability & CSR

    • Report contribution

    Gaining a shared understanding with business leaders has always been a challenge for a sustainability manager. I believe we need to find a common language with them. The vision and goals of a business aare always mentioned in the company's vision document or organizational goals. Our art as a sustainability manager is to align the principles of sustainability with the company's goals and make it clear to business leaders what role sustainability goals play in achieving the company's objectives. To do this, we can talk about the successful experiences of other companies or reassure business leaders with financial figures and calculations that, first of all, sustainability can help them،To Reach Their Goals.

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    9
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    Contributor profile photo
    Kavya B M

    Chief Marketing Officer @ Indus Intex Pvt Ltd - India | Sustainable Apparel Manufacturing

    • Report contribution

    We are currently exporting a significant number of woven products to Germany and other parts of Europe. To align with the sustainability guidelines established by Europe, it is crucial to possess essential certifications such as Fair Trade, GRS, GOATS, and WRAP. Additionally, Europe is likely to mandate a digital product passport in the near future, making it imperative to begin adopting this practice proactively. making the communication very clear in the panel and explaining them with benefits which will eventually helps in the clearing your goals.

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    7
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    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Saleh ASHRM

    💡 Certified LinkedIn creator | Ambassador| Ph.D in Accounting | iMBA Progress| Financial Manager| Accounts Manager| Lecturer| Data Analyst| foster Sustainability through Innovative Financial Strategies & Risk Management

    • Report contribution

    To make leadership value sustainability goals, supporting your strategies with compelling statistics can strengthen your case and make your message more impactful. Here are some updated statistics to consider: 1. Business Performance Boost Companies with strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices experience 20% higher profitability and valuations, according to McKinsey. 2. Cost Savings and Efficiency A report by the Carbon Trust found that businesses implementing energy-efficient measures save up to 25% on operational costs annually. 3. Risk Mitigation and Resilience Climate-related risks could cost global businesses up to $1 trillion, making proactive sustainability measures critical for resilience (CDP).

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    7
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    Contributor profile photo
    Aasim Hameed Khan عاصم حميد خان

    Sustainability I ESG I Decarbonization I CCU+S I Carbon Credit I Carbon Modelling I Climate Change I Circular Economy I Strategic Planning I Asset and Facility Management I Operation and Project Management I Drive Change

    • Report contribution

    To make leadership understand and value your sustainability goals, articulate how they align with the organization’s core business objectives, such as profitability, risk management, and market competitiveness. Use clear, data-driven communication to illustrate the financial and strategic benefits of sustainability, including cost savings, innovation opportunities, and enhanced brand reputation. Highlight industry trends and competitor actions to underscore the urgency and relevance of these goals. Provide practical, phased plans that demonstrate feasibility and quick wins to build confidence. Regularly update leadership on measurable progress to reinforce the value and ensure sustained support.

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    6
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    Contributor profile photo
    Fernanda Oliveira

    Especialista em Mercado de carbono | Descarbonização | Crédito de carbono | Emissões GEE | GHG Protocol | Estratégia Climática | Sustentabilidade

    • Report contribution

    Tornar os objetivos de sustentabilidade claros e valorizados pela liderança requer uma abordagem estratégica, alinhada aos interesses e à visão da organização. Relacione os objetivos de sustentabilidade aos resultados financeiros, ao fortalecimento da marca e à mitigação de riscos. Mostre como esses objetivos podem impulsionar a inovação, aumentar a eficiência operacional e melhorar a resiliência da empresa frente às mudanças globais. Adapte a linguagem e o enfoque para o público executivo, destacando os pontos que mais importam para eles, como retorno sobre investimento (ROI), vantagem competitiva e compliance com regulações futuras.

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    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Muhammad Irfan

    CEO @ Neoceptual™ | Omniflow | UPG Sustainability Leader

    • Report contribution

    Open dialogue and communication at all levels are crucial to bridging gaps around unclear goals. While profitability is important, the long-term benefits of sustainability lay the foundation for the broader, ongoing value of the company. These long-term advantages are what sustain leadership support over time. Instead of solely focusing on financial gains or new revenue streams, connect sustainability to the leader's broader vision and aspirations for the next big achievement. This approach inspires and engages leadership by aligning sustainability with their strategic goals and future ambitions.

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    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    PANNALAL SONI

    Taking care of the SHEF & Sustainability at Century Enka Ltd (Aditya Birla Group)., Bharuch Plant. M.Sc. Chemistry, PDIS, PDIETM, DCA, Six Sigma Green Belt,.Lead IMS Auditor, & Management Representative

    • Report contribution

    Communicating sustainability goals effectively to leadership requires clarity, relevance, and a compelling narrative. 1. Align Goals with Business Objectives. Frame your goals in terms of business growth, cost savings, risk reduction, and brand reputation. Highlight ROI. Demonstrate how your goals align with the organization's overall mission and values. 2. Provide Data-Driven Evidence. 3. Customize your message for different stakeholders in leadership. CFOs may prioritize cost implications, while CEOs might focus on reputation and innovation. 4. Involve Leadership in the Process. 5. Anticipate Objections Be ready to address concerns like cost, feasibility, or alignment with short-term goals.

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    5
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    Raheleh Ghassem Zadeh, PhD

    Consultant | Research Scientist | Metabolomics | Mass-Spectrometry | Food Chemistry | Technology Transfer | Collaboration | Competetive Intelligence | FTIR, HPLC, GC/MS | Tennis

    • Report contribution

    To make sustainability goals clearer to leadership, start by aligning them with the organization's overall mission and business objectives. Present data-driven evidence that shows the financial, environmental, and social benefits of sustainability. Highlight successful case studies, demonstrate cost savings, and emphasize long-term value. Engaging leadership through clear communication, measurable outcomes, and showing how sustainability can improve both reputation and profitability will help garner support and understanding.

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    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Mahesh Patil

    Quality Manager || Lean Six Sigma Black Belt || Driving Excellence in Quality, Health, Safety & Environment Management || Strategic Innovator & Team Builder||Technology Transfer Projects

    • Report contribution

    According to me clarity missing for leadership is either due to understanding or will.the sustainability goals for organizational sustainable growth needs strategic approach for complete organization's operation 1.does sustainability goals considered as values if not transfer goals for social,economic & financial into values finanical goals as cost reduction,reduction in waste,material,resources.increase revenue for customers.risk mitigation,regulatory compliance,supply chain, circular economy. 2.clear communication along with smart goals if possible match with International SDGs 3.build relationship with stakeholders-high management with these approach you can have better clarity on sustainability goals with all leaders & stakeholders.

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    4
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