5 Keystones Of A Successful Corporate Sustainability Strategy

By Shannon Scheiwiller, Director, Marketing Operations, Ecova

Environmental sustainability issues are complex and can be overwhelming, particularly during the early stages of crafting a sustainability strategy. What do successful programs have in common? In a recent interview with Indigo Teiwes, Strategic Planning Services Manager at Ecova, she was asked this question in relation to the Ecova client portfolio. Indigo answered, "Based on our strategic planning work with approximately 100 clients since 2007, we've found that there are 5 important triggers, or "keystones" that have a clear link to driving real benefits and achieving desired efficiencies."

Simply put, you can't manage what you don't measure. Functioning data tracking and reporting systems, even simple ones, are the foundation upon which all improvements and progress can be made.

People across the company who impact sustainability activities and decisions must be engaged and trained. We have also found that visible executive engagement and leadership sets the pace and ensures environmental sustainability change agents have the backing they need to facilitate organizational change.