As the world becomes increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of business, leaders must prioritize sustainability to ensure the long-term success of their organizations. This means integrating sustainability into every aspect of business, from product design and development to supply chain management and customer engagement. However, achieving this goal requires more than just a few isolated sustainability initiatives. It requires upskilling employees in ESG and building a culture of sustainability throughout the organization.

To achieve this, business leaders must take a systematic approach that includes the following actionable steps.

Top-Down Leadership: 

Business leaders must demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by making it a core part of their organization’s strategy. This requires a mindset shift, viewing sustainability not just as a threat to be managed, but as a growth driver. Leaders should take an active role in promoting sustainability and prioritize it alongside other strategic priorities.

One example of a company that has successfully integrated sustainability into its core business is Unilever. The company’s Sustainable Living Plan focuses on improving health and well-being, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing livelihoods. Unilever’s sustainable brands have consistently outperformed the company’s average growth rate, demonstrating that sustainability can be a growth driver.

Leadership Development: 

To build a culture of sustainability, leaders must possess specific skills and competencies, including empathy, authenticity, self-awareness, humility, and inclusivity. Leaders must be able to engage with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and suppliers, to understand their perspectives on sustainability. They must also have a sustainable mindset, a multi-level systems thinking approach, and an ability to drive disruptive innovation.

One useful tool for developing sustainable leadership competencies is the Sustainable Leadership blueprint created by the United Nations Global Compact. The blueprint defines specific competencies required for delivering sustainability results and can help business leaders identify the skills they need to develop.

Sustainability refers to the overall goal of creating a more sustainable future, which includes protecting the environment, promoting social equity, and ensuring economic prosperity. Sustainability professionals work to develop and implement strategies that support this goal.

ESG, on the other hand, refers to specific environmental, social, and governance issues that are material to a company’s performance and risk profile. ESG professionals work to identify and manage these issues, which may include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving labor practices, or ensuring board diversity.

While there is overlap between sustainability and ESG roles, they require different skills and competencies. Understanding the distinction between the two can help companies develop more targeted and effective upskilling programs.

Competency Frameworks: 

Developing a competency framework for sustainable business practices is essential to upskilling employees in ESG. This framework should outline the specific skills and knowledge employees need to integrate sustainability into their daily work. It should be aligned with the organization’s sustainability strategy and should be integrated into performance reviews and other talent management processes.

To help your employees build a deeper understanding about ESG, leverage upskilling companies like Voiz Academy. Voiz Academy is an online learning platform that offers courses on sustainability and ESG-related topics, making it a valuable resource for business leaders who want to upskill their employees in ESG. The platform offers a range of courses, from introductory to advanced, covering topics such as sustainable leadership, sustainable supply chain management, climate change, and renewable energy. One of the unique features of Voiz Academy is its focus on practical skills and real-world applications. The platform’s courses are designed to provide learners with the skills and knowledge they need to implement sustainable practices in their daily work. This focus on practical skills can help businesses to build a culture of sustainability and drive meaningful change.

There are many skills and competencies that are important for sustainability and ESG roles including:

• Sustainable business strategy: Individuals in sustainability and ESG roles should have a strong understanding of the company’s business model industry trends, and competitive landscape. They should be able to identify risks and opportunities related to sustainability and develop a strategy that aligns with the company’s overall goals and values.
• CSR: Individuals in sustainability and ESG roles should be knowledgeable about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and be able to integrate it into the company’s overall sustainability strategy. This includes identifying key stakeholders, assessing and managing risks, and measuring and reporting on social and environmental impacts.
• ESG reporting: Individuals in sustainability and ESG roles should be able to measure and report on the company’s ESG performance. This includes identifying relevant ESG metrics, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports that communicate the company’s progress to stakeholders.
• Green product development: Individuals in sustainability and ESG roles should be able to identify opportunities for sustainable product development and lead initiatives to design and launch eco-friendly products. This includes conducting market research, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and managing product lifecycles.
• Sustainable supply chain management: Individuals in sustainability and ESG roles should be able to manage the company’s supply chain with sustainability in mind. This includes identifying suppliers who meet sustainability criteria, setting sustainability standards for suppliers, and ensuring that suppliers meet those standards.

One company that has successfully integrated sustainability into its competency framework is Interface, a carpet tile manufacturer. Under the leadership of its founder, Ray Anderson, the company set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact, including achieving zero waste and using 100% renewable energy. By integrating sustainability into its core business practices, Interface has reduced costs, increased innovation, and improved its brand reputation.

Sustainability Strategy: 

To integrate sustainability into the core business, leaders must develop a clear sustainability strategy that focuses on the company’s core business and areas of competitive advantage. The strategy should be translated into concrete actions and measurable objectives that can be integrated into the daily work of employees.

To set the right sustainability KPIs, companies should consider tracking metrics such as the percentage of employees who complete ESG training, the number of ESG-related ideas submitted by employees, the reduction in the company’s carbon footprint, or the number of sustainable products developed. These metrics should be aligned with the company’s sustainability strategy and goals.

Setting the right sustainability KPIs is critical. To measure progress in upskilling employees in ESG, companies should consider tracking metrics such as the percentage of employees who complete ESG training, the number of ESG-related ideas submitted by employees, the reduction in the company’s carbon footprint, or the number of sustainable products developed. These metrics should be aligned with the company’s sustainability strategy and goals.

One company that has successfully developed a sustainability strategy is IKEA. The company’s sustainability strategy, called “People & Planet Positive,” is centered around three focus areas: inspiring and enabling customers to live a more sustainable life at home, becoming resource and energy independent, and creating a better life for the people and communities impacted by its business. IKEA has set specific goals and action plans for each area, making the strategy tangible and actionable for employees.

Employee Engagement: 

Engaging employees in sustainable business practices is critical to building a culture of sustainability. Leaders must prioritize employee engagement by assessing employees’ connection to the organization’s purpose and sustainability strategy. Frontline employees should be encouraged to contribute ideas and innovations for sustainable business practices, fostering a strong connection between employees and the company’s purpose.

To further engage employees in sustainability, business leaders can use advanced culture analytics tools to assess employees’ connection to the organization’s purpose and sustainability strategy. These tools can help identify areas where employees need more support, as well as opportunities for employee engagement.

There are several companies and services that provide advanced culture analytics tools to help businesses assess their employees’ connection to the organization’s purpose and sustainability strategy:

• CultureIQ: CultureIQ is an online platform that provides culture analytics tools to help companies measure and improve their organizational culture. The platform includes a range of tools and surveys designed to assess employees’ attitudes and behaviors related to sustainability and other key topics.
• Khoros: Khoros is a customer engagement platform that includes advanced social media analytics tools. These tools can be used to analyze social media conversations related to sustainability and identify opportunities for employee engagement and customer feedback.
• Qualtrics: Qualtrics is an experience management platform that includes employee engagement surveys and tools. The platform can be used to assess employees’ attitudes and behaviors related to sustainability and identify areas where more support or education is needed.
• Peakon: Peakon is an employee engagement platform that includes culture analytics tools. The platform can be used to measure employees’ connection to the organization’s purpose and sustainability strategy and identify areas for improvement.

ESG Committees and Board Education:

The role of the board of directors’ ESG committee in driving sustainability is crucial. ESG committees help ensure that the company’s ESG performance aligns with the company’s overall strategic objectives and hold the management team accountable for implementing sustainable practices.

ESG committees play a critical role in ensuring that the company’s ESG performance aligns with its strategic objectives. They are responsible for developing and refining the company’s ESG strategy, identifying and assessing ESG-related risks and opportunities, establishing KPIs and targets, and ensuring transparent and accurate ESG reporting. ESG committees also promote a culture of sustainability within the organization and hold the management team accountable for implementing sustainable practices.

To ensure that the board of directors is well-informed about ESG issues and trends, ESG committees should provide board education and expertise. This will help ensure that the board has the necessary expertise and diversity to make informed decisions related to ESG matters. Ultimately, a well-informed and engaged board can drive sustainable business practices throughout the organization and contribute to a more sustainable future.

One company that has successfully integrated ESG committees and board education into its sustainability strategy is Umicore. Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of high-performance materials used in industries such as automotive, electronics, and energy. The company is committed to sustainability and has made it an integral part of its strategy. Umicore has a well-established ESG committee that is responsible for developing and refining the company’s ESG strategy, identifying and assessing ESG-related risks and opportunities, establishing KPIs and targets, and ensuring transparent and accurate ESG reporting. The ESG committee is supported by the company’s sustainability team, which is responsible for implementing Umicore’s sustainability strategy and initiatives across the organization. In addition to the ESG committee, Umicore has also made a significant investment in board education and expertise. The company has a comprehensive board training program that focuses on ESG issues and trends, as well as broader sustainability issues such as climate change and circular economy.

Conclusion:

Integrating sustainability into the core business is not a one-time initiative; it is an ongoing process that requires upskilling employees in ESG and building a culture of sustainability throughout the organization. Business leaders must take a systematic approach that includes top-down leadership, leadership development, competency frameworks, sustainability strategy, employee engagement, and ESG committees.

By prioritizing sustainability and upskilling employees in ESG, companies can reap significant benefits, such as improved brand reputation, reduced costs, enhanced innovation, and increased employee engagement. Moreover, by integrating sustainability into the core business, companies can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

To achieve these benefits, business leaders must take a proactive approach to sustainability and prioritize it alongside other strategic priorities. They must invest in upskilling their employees in ESG and building a culture of sustainability throughout the organization. By doing so, they can create a more resilient and sustainable future for their organizations and the world.