The Opportunity Gap when Compliance is not enough

It feels like a difficult time to be working in sustainability at the moment, and that has been reflected in some of the conversations I’ve had within the past week. Frustration at the rollback of legislation and targets, the president of the United States once again calling climate change fake news and then we had the sad news about Dame Jane Goodall, the conservationist who helped us understand our world a little better, and our place in it.

In this blog post, we will look at how great organisations are moving beyond compliance and taking advantage of the opportunities of becoming a more sustainable business.

Compliance and no more

It's no wonder that some companies see sustainability as just being about compliance, particularly in the European Union with the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, to name just two. Now I get it, organisations are being required to do a lot of reporting, and it is time consuming and administration heavy, but just saying you’re compliant is not enough. And yes, I’ve seen some organisations make big noises of how they’ve published a CSRD compliant report but without really making a difference on their sustainability performance and thinking they can carry on as normal. But there is more to it than just compliance, if you see the legislation as an enabler, the opportunity for you to truly transform your organisation then you’re on a winner.

Beyond Compliance

And there are some great organisations who are truly are embracing the opportunity to becoming more sustainable organisations:

Leadec

Leadec is a global leader specialising in facility management, factory planning and optimisation for factories and utilised the introduction of the EU Taxonomy to create a new service division, called Green Factory Solutions. From nothing the organisation created a division that could help transform the manufacturing industry and help their customers comply with the EU Green Deal and other legislation, so that everyone wins.

IFCO

IFCO is the world’s leading supplier of reusable packaging containers, so no doubt at some point you will have either interacted with the business or been a user/customer of their packaging within the local supermarket. The circular economy is where they are focusing much of their energy, by making things more resource-efficient they can reduce waste and single-use packaging. Their customers have reduced product damage by over 96% and reduced their CO2 emissions by up to 60% since switching to IFCO products.

Heidelberg Materials

Operating in the construction industry and producing high intensity carbon products such as cement and asphalt, Heidelberg Materials are on the road to 2030 and are at the forefront of decarbonising the sector. In June of this year, they inaugurated the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture and storage facility in Brevik, Norway and in September they received the backing to start the construction of the world’s first carbon capture facility in Padeswood, Wales, UK that will enable the fully decarbonised production of cement.  

All these examples show that far from seeing sustainability as compliance, they see it as the opportunity to create a competitive advantage for their organisations and create value for the business, but more importantly their customers, employees and supply chain. Who wouldn’t want to be part of an organisation that is leading the way and be excited when you come to work each day?

Value creation impact

On a smaller I recently got a message from a graduate from the award winning ESG Accelerator programme that my team and I created in 2024 and delivered over the past two years. The person said that everything we had talked about over the course of the three months has made such a difference to their life, not just in the work environment but outside of work as well.

The ESG Accelerator Programme was specifically designed to embed ESG thinking within core organisation functions by targeting participants from diverse roles—including operations, commercial, design, finance, marketing, and professional services. This strategic cross-section ensured that ESG was not siloed or treated as a standalone responsibility for the ESG team but is instead woven into decision-making across the business by upskilling and empowering people to take ownership for the value creation opportunities within their part of the organisation.

Each module of the programme links ESG principles directly to business impact, be it through eliminating significant risk from a safety perspective, removing waste by improving processes through operational excellence, or minimising our environmental impact by implementing technologies that reduce our carbon footprint. To ensure the success of the programme, it was developed around the 70:20:10 learning principle which meant that participants are required to deliver a work-based project focused on solving a real business issue that creates ESG value. This ensures ESG becomes not just a theoretical framework, but a practical toolkit for creating operational value, reducing risk, and enhancing stakeholder outcomes.

We always knew we had something special with that programme; it ensured that ESG came alive for people and not just a theoretical framework, but a practical toolkit for creating value, reducing risk and enhancing stakeholder outcomes. I don’t think we realised how big an impact we would have on individuals. I look back with pride.

Cynnal Group's Sustainable Solutions

Cynnal Group offers a range of services designed to help businesses implement sustainable practices. Here are just some of the key solutions we can provide:

1. Sustainability Maturity

We can conduct thorough assessments to evaluate an organisation’s current sustainability practices and help them develop a clear roadmap for enhancing their sustainability efforts.

2. Training and Workshops

Education is crucial for fostering a culture of sustainability within an organisation, you’ve heard the impact the ESG Accelerator Programme had on people. We offer training sessions and workshops to help employees understand the importance of sustainable practices.

3. Sustainable Supply Chain Management

A sustainable supply chain is essential for minimising environmental impact, the dreaded scope 3 emissions. We will work with you to assess your supply chain and identify opportunities for improvement.

4. Reporting and Certification

Transparency is vital in sustainability efforts. We can assist you in reporting your sustainability initiatives and achievements, as well as help you achieve certifications such as ISO 14001, which can enhance credibility and demonstrate commitment to sustainability.

Embracing a Sustainable Future

The journey toward sustainability is ongoing. Organisations must remain adaptable and open to new ideas. By prioritising sustainability, organisations can not only contribute to a healthier planet but also achieve long-term success.

In a world where consumers are increasingly demanding responsible practices, the time to act is now. Embrace sustainability and watch your business thrive.

As we move forward, let us remember that sustainability is not just a trend; it is a vital part of our future. With the right strategies and support, organisations can lead the way in creating a more sustainable world.