How to Set Impactful Sustainability Goals for Your Company
Corporate sustainability is vital today, but setting meaningful goals is key to actually driving change. Follow these best practices when establishing sustainability targets for your company.
Get Buy-In From Leadership
For sustainability goals to be effective, they need to have backing and involvement from senior leadership. Get executives and decision-makers on board early to secure resources and support needed to meet targets.
Conduct Assessments
Take stock of current sustainability initiatives and impacts with energy audits, waste analysis and other assessments. This provides the baseline data needed to identify opportunities and set ambitious but realistic goals.
Consider Key Impacts
Prioritize goals that address your company's most significant environmental and social impacts. Focus areas may include GHG emissions, waste generation, water use, diversity and inclusion, ethical sourcing or community engagement.
Align to Business Priorities
Link sustainability goals to larger business objectives around cost savings, risk mitigation, reputation and recruiting. Show how sustainability impacts the bottom line.
Make Goals Measurable
Set specific, quantified targets with deadlines for completion. Measurable goals enable clear tracking and benchmarking of progress over time.
Address Multiple Time Horizons
Balance short and long-term goals. Quick wins maintain momentum but pursuing goals with longer timeframes drives lasting change.
Involve Key Stakeholders
Consult internal stakeholders like employees and business units to gain insights on goal development. Also engage external groups such as customers, investors and NGOs.
Commit Resources
Dedicate sufficient budget, staff and other resources to sustainability goals. Consider assigning a senior executive with overall accountability.
Communicate and Report Progress
Share sustainability goals and regular status updates with both internal and external audiences. Be transparent about successes and setbacks.
Strategic goal-setting and execution enables impactful sustainability performance. Let these steps guide your company in establishing ambitious yet attainable sustainability targets.
