Tips for Implementing Climate Action Strategies

I met Devin when he shared on Fortune 500 pharma company, Bristol Myers Squibb's journey measuring & reducing their Scope 3 (value chain) emissions. Here's his 4 pieces of advice.. For context: As of July this year, BMS has received approval for its near-term and long-term Science-Based Targets. Given BMS’s enterprise footprint involves >80% of Scope 3 GHG emissions, one of its near-term goals is to engage 75% of its suppliers to develop SBTs by 2028 From my perspective, this is admirable, provided support is offered to their suppliers, as it will help drive further Net-Zero action throughout their supply chain Here's our summary of his 4 key pieces of advice to sustainability professionals tackling Scope 3 emissions reliant on suppliers 1) Be an influencer to accelerate the sustainability agenda your organization This requires partnering both inside the business, but also with suppliers. Ethical and responsible purchasing needs to be a priority from the beginning, and sustainability questions should be asked to suppliers during any RFP process. Procurement teams should include sustainability in meetings with suppliers on an on-going basis, making it a standing topic on the agenda. 2) Segment your supply chain to prioritize efforts BMS performed a climate maturity assessment to segment its suppliers and prioritize its engagement efforts — knowing the company cannot feasibly engage thousands of suppliers at once. BMS started by looking at its top emitting suppliers and then assessed their maturity — finding one third to be very mature, a third just starting out, and a third somewhere in between. The company then prioritized suppliers with low maturity and/or a higher perceived ESG risk. 3) Partner with industry peers to create a collaborative environment In Pharma in particular, companies have been working collaboratively with their peers, through the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative, to harmonize resources and offer subsidized programs to suppliers, acknowledging the burden faced by them. One such program is Schneider Electric’s Energize, which offers access to education on renewable energy purchasing, and acts as an entry point for suppliers who can choose to enter buying cohorts and partner with other companies to buy renewable electricity. 4) Take your time and be comprehensive “I would just be a little cautious when you see companies who are sprinting out in front, because of the complexity, particularly in the supply chain — there's just fundamental challenges that folks are not going to be able to solve overnight. And doing the maybe less sexy work of just engaging stakeholders, setting targets, building a language of sustainability — that's the work that may not make the headlines, but that's what's going to change the world in the coming years.” 💬 What responsibilities should larger companies own compared to suppliers (and vice versa) when it comes to their emission impacts?

Sustainability isn’t failing because of a lack of ambition. It’s failing because of where we’re looking for solutions. When strategies stall, most companies double down on reporting, targets, or tech. But the real levers for change are already on the ground—just waiting to be activated. Here are 3 proven ways I help companies unlock real ROI from their sustainability work: 1️⃣ Consumer-led change at the point of action Awareness isn’t enough. Real behavior change requires prompts, peer support, and habit formation—right where decisions happen. Think in-store sustainability guides, cold-wash defaults, food waste support systems that actually help households. 2️⃣ Community-based infrastructure investments You can’t hit targets without supportive conditions. Companies that partner with local leaders to build composting, EV, or reuse infrastructure see long-term savings and increase community trust. 3️⃣ Supplier- and peer-led solutions Some of the best sustainability ideas come from frontline workers, not frameworks. Create spaces for peer learning across your value chain. Find the farmer, the factory worker, the supplier who’s already doing it—and amplify them. These 3 strategies reduce emissions, build buy-in, and deliver visible progress. And the best part? ✅ They’re already happening. ✅ You don’t need to invent them—just invest in scaling them. 👉 Which of these feels most urgent—or most overlooked—in your company right now?

What’s the real key to turning ESG goals into action? Imagine you’ve just outlined your sustainability goals—maybe it’s reducing energy consumption or launching a waste management program. You’re excited, But here comes the tricky part: How do you bring that vision to life? The answer lies in crafting a clear action plan that keeps you on course. Think of it, As a map with four main markers: tasks, roles, budgets, and timelines. Each one is vital in helping your ESG strategy move from words to impact. Let’s break it down: 1. Tasks: This is where the rubber meets the road. Whether it’s creating new policies or launching employee engagement initiatives, every action must clearly contribute to your ESG goals. Without a clear list, things can get overwhelming, fast. In fact, according to a study by Deloitte, 67% of organizations struggle to align their ESG efforts with broader business objectives. Careful vetting of tasks can help avoid this pitfall. 2. Roles: Collaboration is key. No one can tackle these challenges alone. Your ESG plan should involve key players across departments—whether it's HR ensuring employee well-being, Finance integrating ESG metrics into reports, or Operations tracking energy use. By defining responsibilities clearly, you not only build accountability but also ensure everyone knows their part in the bigger picture. 3. Budgets: You need funding to make it all work. The question is, How do you budget? Should you fold ESG expenses into department budgets or create a dedicated fund? Many organizations use a hybrid approach. For instance, a real estate company might allocate funds for EV charging stations under its operations budget. Research shows that companies with dedicated ESG budgets see a 23% higher success rate in meeting their sustainability goals (McKinsey, 2023). 4. Timelines: This is where patience and planning come into play. It’s easy to overestimate what can be done in a year and underestimate what’s possible in ten. Start with a two-year timeline, then build from there. As someone who's worked on these plans, I can say the key is simple: Clarity. By focusing on specific tasks, roles, budgets, and timelines, you’ll give your ESG goals the best chance to thrive. What’s your approach to turning ideas into action? Let’s chat about it in the comments!