What are the best ways to share your sustainability story?

1 Choose your framework

Before you start writing your sustainability story, you need to decide on a framework that guides your reporting and disclosure. There are various sustainability reporting standards and frameworks available, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Choosing a framework that aligns with your industry, goals, and stakeholder expectations can help you structure your story, ensure credibility, and enhance comparability.

2 Define your narrative

Your sustainability story should have a clear and compelling narrative that connects your vision, mission, values, strategy, and performance. Your narrative should answer the questions: Why does sustainability matter to your company? What are your material issues and goals? How do you measure and manage your impact? How do you create value for your stakeholders and society? Your narrative should also reflect your brand voice and tone, and use simple and accessible language.

3 Use data and stories

Data and stories are both essential elements of your sustainability story. Data provides evidence and transparency for your claims and achievements, while stories illustrate the human and emotional aspects of your impact. You should use data and stories that are relevant, accurate, and verifiable, and that highlight your progress, challenges, and opportunities. You should also use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, infographics, and photos, to make your data and stories more engaging and digestible.

4 Tailor your formats

Your sustainability story can be shared in different formats and channels, depending on your audience and purpose. For example, you can publish a comprehensive sustainability report for your investors and regulators, a summary report or brochure for your customers and employees, a website or blog for your online visitors, a video or podcast for your social media followers, or a presentation or webinar for your partners and media. You should tailor your formats to suit the preferences and needs of your audience, and to highlight the most relevant and interesting aspects of your story.

5 Seek feedback and dialogue

Sharing your sustainability story is not a one-way communication, but an opportunity to seek feedback and dialogue with your stakeholders. You should invite your audience to share their opinions, questions, suggestions, and stories related to your sustainability efforts and impact. You should also respond to their feedback and dialogue in a timely and respectful manner, and use it to improve your sustainability practices and reporting. By doing so, you can build trust, loyalty, and collaboration with your stakeholders, and foster a culture of sustainability in your company.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?