May 28, 2025
With rapid shifts in today’s sustainability landscape, a siloed approach won’t get you far. Organizations of all sizes are navigating shifting regulations, changing stakeholder expectations and mounting political scrutiny. Staying ahead means going beyond the headlines and engaging with industry peers to understand how the market is adapting and where opportunities or risks may emerge.
At Dix & Eaton, we use a range of strategies to stay in touch with the trends, including participating in local meetups for some good, old-fashioned in-person events and one-on-one conversations.
Over the last few months, we have attended several local sustainability events, gaining insights into the latest trends and strategies driving the sustainability agendas of Cleveland-area companies.
Below are key themes we’ve found:
1. Despite an uncertain political climate, companies remain committed to their sustainability targets.
The sustainability landscape has changed dramatically over the last four months with executive orders that aim to halt renewable energy initiatives and challenge state climate laws. However, companies with existing sustainability programs aren’t losing sight of their corporate responsibilities.
“Climate risks don’t stop, no matter what happens in D.C.,” Mark Schwerdtfeger, director of sustainability for Avery Dennison, told attendees at the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Sustainability Summit in March.
Many speakers also highlighted how sustainability is a core business value and embedded in the culture of large corporations. Adam Graves, president of the Pizza and Snacking Division at Nestlé, summarized that sentiment and said, “To whom much is given, much is required,” emphasizing the role large companies play in addressing climate change.
2. Innovability is driving economic growth.
Sustainability is powering a new wave of innovation and has brought about the term “innovability.” This idea, which Lubrizol Corp. and others have shown through their focus on sustainability through innovation, was coined by Enel Group, a multinational power company, as a way to describe their approach of integrating innovation and sustainability. Largely, it refers to creating products and services that focus on science-based targets and add value to the business and its stakeholders.
Today, large companies are developing products that fulfill market demand while also delivering environmental benefits for our planet. This means embedding sustainable practices across a company’s supply chain and throughout a product’s life cycle. To understand the environmental impact of their products, companies are using life cycle assessments to determine whether or not their investments in products and processes align with their long-term sustainability goals.
At the GCP Sustainability Summit, one panelist emphasized the importance of enhancing efficiency, quality and performance in products and processes as a strategic way to achieve quick wins in advancing sustainability goals.
3. Employee resource groups (ERGs) are alive – and thriving.
Amid a backdrop of challenges facing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, we found an overwhelmingly positive response toward ERGs at the ERG Summit sponsored by the Cleveland Cavaliers in early April. Major organizations – from U.S. Bank to Smucker’s to University Hospitals – are using ERGs as powerful tools to drive inclusion.
Organizations tied to federal funding, including hospitals and universities, did cite the need to change the focus of their ERGs to be open to everyone, not just employees who fit specific criteria. However, companies are still seeking ways to strengthen their ERG programs and focus on their ROI, particularly around increased employee retention, engagement and business outcomes.
Closing thoughts
A common recommendation we heard across organizations – large and small – when it came to sustainability programs was prioritizing a few key areas for improvement, rather than attempting to address all sustainability challenges at once.
At the GCP Sustainability Summit, expert panelists encouraged organizations to identify their “North Star” metrics – a focused set of key indicators that reflect the areas where they aim to drive meaningful improvement. Examples include community investments, sustainable or recycled packaging and energy efficiency.
Stakeholder and materiality assessments can be great tools for defining and understanding your North Star metrics. When you define a specific area of improvement and clearly articulate your goals, you will have an easier time gaining leadership buy-in and driving progress toward your sustainability objectives.
Looking to fine-tune your sustainability strategy and find and follow your North Star? Interested in new ways to tell your story in a compelling and authentic manner? Drop me a line at mwiner@dix-eaton.com.
