As corporate responsibility increasingly becomes the sword enterprises live or die by, it’s no surprise that ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) is top of mind for the C-Suite down to the end user. How do companies navigate an increasingly dynamic landscape dominated by changing government policies, a myriad of targets and rating scales, and pressure from all angles to be doing good and achieving sustainability goals?
B2B communications provider Gamma spoke to UC Today about their science-based greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets recently achieving SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard. Sarah Kirton, Group Sustainability Director, and Environmental Data Manager, Callum Lydon, explained Gamma’s aim to embed sustainability into the company culture, how enterprises can get started on their journey and what’s next for ESG in communications businesses.
Be Prepared to Prove Your Sustainability Credentials
Gen Z (people born between 1995-2010) is emerging as the sustainability generation – and today’s business leaders are bringing their own environmental concerns to work with them. Gone are the days when businesses could pay lip service to CSR policies. A raft of sustainability frameworks ensure progress is frequently and meaningfully measured. Businesses largely don’t want to work with companies that can’t and won’t prioritize the environment.
Kirton and Lydon told us they are increasingly seeing demand for accountability in the public sector (Gamma’s customers include the UK government’s Crown Commercial Service and HM Government). Kirton noted that businesses are unlikely to win bids in both the public and private sectors without sustainability credentials, adding that large businesses particularly want to see the UK government’s environmental targets reflected in the suppliers they work with.
Reflecting Progress Throughout the Supply Chain
Obviously, a vendor’s sustainability credentials are always an asset – but how do businesses ensure that meaningful progress is being made along the supply chain? Gamma’s Lydon told UC Today that his team is scrutinizing their biggest suppliers and has reached a point where, “if we spend over £100,000 with any supplier, we will be examining their environmental credentials or lack of to identify where in our supply chain opportunities for improvement can be realized.”
Making Clear Progress
With CSR having so many facets – from energy use to employee mental health – sustainability teams can find themselves stretched thin. That’s before they start wrestling with the seemingly endless frameworks and regulations within the sector. Kirton’s team has a renewed focus and clear vision of meaningful action, having last year felt they were “filling in disclosures and answering questions without making any progress whatsoever.” While approaches to sustainability vary widely across the globe and UK governments targets have ‘flip-flopped’ over the last few years, Kirton and Lydon remain focused on staying authentic to Gamma’s own ambitions. For example, the target to phase out new sales of petrol and diesel cars in the UK has already dropped back from 2030 to 2035 – but Gamma’s own hybrid fleet remains part of its DNA.
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
Gamma’s sustainability journey has included many lessons learned, and Kirton and Lydon shared with us their top tips for enterprises getting started.
- Take your Time
Understanding your company’s culture and ethos, and what you are trying to achieve on your own sustainable journey is key. Don’t get mired in the sustainability landscape. Understand what’s important and achievable to you, and what frameworks might support that. Don’t emulate others – stay authentic.
- Learn from Others
The sustainability community is supportive – so don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek support. We’re all working to mutually beneficial targets.
- Plant the Seeds for Change
While your business’ ESG team may not be the largest, there is plenty to be achieved by collaborating with and educating teams across the business. You can be a catalyst for change by inspiring all colleagues to embed sustainable practices in everything they do. At Gamma, Sarah Kirton believes they are “pushing on an open door” and colleagues are ready to accept beneficial change they may not have thought of previously.
To find out more about Gamma’s sustainability work, please visit:
https://gammagroup.co/company/esg/
https://gammagroup.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gamma-Sustainability-Report-2022-1.pdf
