Taking steps to become a more sustainable business can really pay off. Sustainable actions can lead to cost savings through increased energy and resource efficiency, enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty by demonstrating a commitment to environmental and social responsibility, mitigate risks associated with regulatory compliance and changing consumer preferences, meet investor demands, and unlock new business opportunities, ultimately driving long-term profitability and competitiveness.

climateLEAP is Fresh Coast's innovative tool designed to help small and medium-sized businesses establish a climate program with initiatives tailored to their unique business needs and stakeholder values. It guides companies in identifying and implementing impactful climate actions that resonate with their business ethos and stakeholder expectations.

The first step to developing an sustainability program and relevant reporting is to establish an sustainability framework, which identifies key focus areas that are priorities for the business and stakeholders, plus tactics and an implementation plan that is feasible to achieve. This sustainability framework is a starting point to define quantitative and qualitative metrics, set sustainability goals, and track and communicate your company’s sustainability progress to your employees, customers, and investors.

A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product. To calculate it, you assess emissions from various activities such as energy use, transportation, and waste generation, then use emission factors to quantify the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions associated with each activity. Finally, summing up all emissions provides an estimate of the carbon footprint, helping individuals and organizations understand their environmental impact and identify opportunities for reduction.

Industries across the spectrum can benefit from sustainability consulting services, including manufacturing, energy, transportation, food, retail, and finance, among many others. By incorporating sustainable practices and strategies, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, improve brand reputation, and seize opportunities for innovation, ultimately driving long-term growth and competitiveness while minimizing environmental impact.

Establishing an sustainability program presents many advantages for businesses. Institutional, venture capital, and private equity investors increasingly require companies to have sustainability programs to mitigate risks associated with climate change. Whether it's reducing costs, attracting and retaining talent, meeting customer and investor demands, or driving business growth, there are compelling reasons to establish an sustainability program.

While there is considerable overlap, some distinctions exist between ESG and Sustainability. ESG primarily serves as a financial sustainable investment tool, employing specific criteria for reporting and measuring progress. These criteria are often time-bound, with progress tracked and outcomes publicly reported through various mechanisms. On the other hand, Sustainability is a broader term encompassing ESG aspects, which may or may not be explicitly defined within the ESG framework.