A Practical Guide to Validating the Business Purpose of Sustainability

Companies continue to take a closer look at how sustainability strategies deliver measurable business value. Whether responding to evolving stakeholder expectations, aligning with operational goals or preparing for future growth, the opportunity lies in reinforcing how sustainability initiatives support performance, resilience and long-term impact.

There are many practical ways organizations can reassess and strengthen their business case for sustainability — from stakeholder engagement and strategic positioning to messaging, materiality assessments and value alignment.

1. Engage stakeholders to identify sensitive or misunderstood topics

Understanding your audiences and the specific policies or perceptions causing concern is critical. Assess your value chain to determine whether your clients include federal entities or private companies with sustainability commitments, as this influences the relevance and perception of sustainability issues. Initiate conversations with employees, customers, investors and suppliers to pinpoint topics that may require clarification or reframing. Currently, common points of focus include inclusion and belonging initiatives, climate risk and broader sustainability messaging.

2. Develop a strategic response aligned with market and business expectations

Craft a strategic response that reflects both internal goals and external realities. Decide whether to maintain your current sustainability initiatives or adjust them to better reflect your business narrative. Some organizations are rebranding their human capital programs, shifting from DEI to more neutral terms like "inclusion," "culture" or "people first." Others are evolving language from "climate change" to "climate risk," emphasizing financial relevance. For instance, JPMorganChase has highlighted that understanding climate risk is essential for staying ahead in the financial landscape, underscoring that climate risk equates to financial risk. Regardless of terminology, the focus should remain on the value these programs bring to your operations, stakeholders and long-term strategy. The language may evolve, but the business purpose remains.

3. Refine sustainability messaging across platforms

Review your organization’s website, sales materials, investor communication and sustainability reports to ensure messaging is consistent and outcome-oriented. The goal isn’t to walk back commitments but to clearly show how those commitments support cost savings, value creation, risk management or talent retention. Also, align  with your communications team to ensure that the revised language and positioning carry through across all platforms — from social media to board presentations. Clear, consistent messaging strengthens brand alignment and reinforces credibility with stakeholders.

4. Use a double materiality assessment to ground strategic priorities

One of the most effective ways to demonstrate the relevance of sustainability initiatives is through a double materiality assessment (DMA). A DMA helps companies identify the sustainability topics that are most financially and operationally material to the business and its stakeholders. When combined with impact, risk and opportunity analysis — as outlined in frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) — a DMA validates the business case for sustainability priorities and strengthens the rationale for related initiatives. Some companies are taking this a step further by assigning return on investment (ROI) metrics to material topics where applicable. While not required, this added layer provides a sharper view of strategic relevance and allows sustainability teams to offer more quantifiable insights.

5. Tie social initiatives to core values

Social initiatives gain credibility and staying power when grounded in your organizational core values. Programs focused on inclusion, employee engagement, community investment or well-being should reflect what your company stands for and not just what’s trending. Revisiting your mission, vision and values can clarify how these efforts contribute to company culture, leadership development and long-term talent strategies. Rather than positioning social programs as standalone efforts, integrate them into the broader narrative of how your company creates value and defines success. When social impact aligns with your foundational values, it resonates more deeply with employees, customers and partners — and withstands changing external narratives.

Industry-Wide Evidence

While the business case for sustainability must be validated within the context of each organization’s unique goals and operations, many companies have already demonstrated that well-designed sustainability initiatives drive measurable business outcomes. These real-world examples help reinforce internal efforts and offer benchmarks for what success can look like across sectors.

DNV’s Lean and Green Report investigated the impact of sustainable practices on business outcomes and challenges ahead. The survey examined 525 Europe-based business leaders and management personnel in companies with more than $250 million in annual global turnover.

Survey responses revealed that key sustainability investments are delivering tangible business value. At the time of reporting, one in four leaders had already experienced revenue growth tied to their supply chain sustainability efforts, and 38% anticipated further revenue growth in the next year. Additionally, over a third (34%) said supply chain sustainability had already produced cost savings, with another 40% expecting savings within the year. The table below highlights various findings from the report.

Detailed Examples of Sustainability Success

In practice, these strategies often contribute directly to operational outcomes. Below are details about how the companies noted in the table experienced the benefits of their sustainability strategies.

PepsiCo: In a case study by Water Technology, PepsiCo implemented onsite wastewater treatment systems that contributed to both climate goals and operational efficiency. The company achieved a 30% reduction in wastewater treatment costs, alongside predictability in expenses and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. PepsiCo’s water recycling plants and broader water initiatives have saved the company at least $80 million between 2011 and 2015, with ongoing projects continuing to yield cost savings, according to a Climate Action article.

Nike: Nike improved its profit margins by $50 million through the use of sustainable materials and targeted supply chain enhancements, according to its FY2022 impact report. The company’s sustainable procurement efforts also reduced water usage, waste generation and carbon emissions. By embracing lean manufacturing principles, Nike cut waste and related costs by 10%, further strengthening its operational efficiency. Growing consumer demand for ethically produced goods has also contributed to increased sales. Nike’s focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability has transformed its brand reputation, positioning the company as a leader in responsible practices. Nike’s FY2023 impact report highlights how its partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) enhanced supply chain transparency and helped establish a new industry standard. This focus on sustainability and transparency is credited with supporting supply chain resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HP: In its FY 2021 impact report, HP outlined how it generated $3.5 billion in revenue from sustainability-driven sales, demonstrating that sustainability initiatives can drive both top line and bottom line benefits. The company also reduced product-use emissions intensity by 39% compared to 2015 and met 54% of its global electricity needs with renewables. It’s supply chain energy-efficiency programs avoided 1.46 million metric tons of carbon emissions and saved electricity to cut costs by an estimated $119 million.

Weaver Can Help

Periods of change create space to clarify priorities. By grounding sustainability initiatives in business outcomes, stakeholder relevance and core values, companies can maintain momentum, strengthen credibility and reinforce their long-term strategic vision.

Weaver works with organizations to develop sustainability strategies that are practical, defensible and aligned with business goals. Whether you're refining messaging, conducting a materiality assessment or evaluating the ROI of your initiatives, we can support your efforts to validate and communicate the value of sustainability efforts. Contact us today.