Why is it Important to Ensure Long-term Stakeholder Engagement?

Much like any other business process, corporate decarbonisation is not a one-time task. It is a long-term goal that cannot be achieved overnight and, as such, should be considered a continuous journey of transformation and adaptation.

Decarbonisation, like any other area of sustainability, has to be embedded in an organisation's business model to be successful. If viewed as a one-time task, progress will drop off after the first year.

Success is therefore premised on ensuring that your leadership and key stakeholders understand the importance of the decarbonisation journey and centre it in business decisions and operations. For advice on convincing leadership and key stakeholders of the benefits of decarbonisation, see 'How to Approach Engaging your Board and Executive Team on Decarbonisation'.

Ensuring the engagement of leadership and key stakeholders beyond the initial development of targets and an action plan is crucial for a number of reasons:

The opportunities available to your business and the challenges it may face will no doubt be different two years down the line. New technologies emerge, regulations evolve, and market dynamics shift. As a result, organisations must remain agile and responsive to these changes. Embracing decarbonisation as an ongoing process allows for timely adjustments to stay aligned with current best practices.

Viewing decarbonisation as an iterative journey encourages a culture of innovation and improvement. Organisations are motivated to seek new ways to reduce emissions, optimise processes, and enhance sustainability. This mindset fosters creativity and resilience in the face of challenges.

Engaging stakeholders, from employees to customers to investors, in an ongoing decarbonisation journey builds trust and commitment. People want to be a part of something meaningful and long-lasting. Sharing progress and achievements along the way keeps stakeholders invested in the mission.

Sustainability isn't just about reducing emissions for a year or two; it's about building a lasting foundation for future generations. A continual commitment to decarbonisation ensures that the positive impacts on the environment and society are sustained over the long haul.