A customer sends you an RFP. In the supplier sustainability section, there's a question you weren't expecting: "Do you have a science-based target?"

You don't. But now you realize you probably need one.

You look it up. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) sounds credible and legitimate. It's something you want to be able to say yes to the next time someone asks.

Setting a science-based target is easier than most companies expect. What catches companies off guard is everything that comes after.

If you're a private equity-backed company, you've probably already received some version of this request: your GP needs ESG data, a carbon footprint, or a completed questionnaire, and they need it soon.

If you've been asked for a sustainability policy by a client, investor, or your own leadership team, you're in the right place. A sustainability policy is one of those things that feels overwhelming to start but is genuinely manageable once you break it down. And once it's done, it just needs an annual update.

If you've received an RFP recently with a section on emissions, or heard from your PE backers that carbon data is now a reporting requirement, you're in good company. Carbon footprint requests have become a standard part of doing business for private companies and the volume of requests is increasing.

This post explains why it's happening, what you're actually being asked to provide, and how to get it done efficiently.

Your GP just asked for ESG data. Or a big customer wants your carbon footprint before the next contract renewal. Or your leadership team has decided it's time to get serious about sustainability, but nobody on staff has done this before.

Hiring the right ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) consultant can make a measurable difference in your company’s sustainability performance. Whether your goals are carbon reduction, improved governance, or investor-ready ESG reporting, this guide provides actionable steps to hire an ESG expert who delivers results. This guide is designed for companies facing increasing ESG requests from investors, clients, or procurement teams—and looking for practical, not theoretical, support.

Halfway through the year, the corporate sustainability landscape is notable for quiet action, regulatory complexity, and reduced external communications.

While public sentiment and increased scrutiny are swirling around public organizations, companies in the private markets continue to double down on their sustainability and ESG strategies. Rather than reacting to headline-driven pressure or public backlash, organizations are emphasizing first principles: focusing on the ESG initiatives that are material to their operations and long-term value creation. 

Establishing a sustainability committee is a critical step for integrating and seeing success from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into your organization. However, its effectiveness depends on how well the committee operates, who is involved, and how priorities are selected and executed.