Impact Pathways

Our global, impact-led consulting firm empowers organizations to create value for society while creating value for their business.

?? Why Sustainability Is Here to Stay — Because It Drives Real Business Value Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from family and friends asking me if sustainability is just a passing trend—especially with all the regulatory rollbacks in the U.S., potential deregulation in Europe, and politicized debates around terms like "ESG" and "DEI". The truth? Sustainability isn’t going anywhere. And more importantly, it’s proving itself as a real driver of business value. In my work as a consultant, I see it every day: Companies embedding sustainability into their core strategies aren’t just doing the right thing—they’re saving/making money. Here’s how: ? Investor Confidence & Access to Capital: Major institutional investors—like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—aren’t prioritizing ESG for optics. In fact, they might actually be hiding ESG for optics—either way, most are still doing it in practice. They’re doing it because they understand that ESG is not about virtue signaling but rather about mitigating risk and seizing opportunities for value creation to drive both short- and long-term financial returns. ? Consumer Trust & Market Differentiation: Customers are increasingly choosing brands that demonstrate integrity and transparency. Companies that genuinely integrate sustainability are building stronger loyalty, increasing market share, and enhancing brand equity. ? Operational Resilience & Cost Savings: Sustainability initiatives often result in real cost savings. From reducing energy consumption to minimizing waste, companies are proving that responsible practices can also be profitable. ? Talent Attraction & Competitive Advantage: People want to work for companies with purpose (like Impact Pathways! Humble brag ??). Having a credible sustainability strategy isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a magnet for top talent and a boost for productivity and retention. ? Future-Proofing Against Global Trends: Even if certain regulations are rolled back, the global momentum toward sustainability is only growing. Staying ahead of evolving standards is a critical way to protect—and grow—business value. ?? Bottom line: Even amid political noise and shifting regulations, the fundamental business case for sustainability remains strong. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about creating real, lasting value. How are you positioning your business to leverage the full value of sustainability? ?? And what other questions does my network have? ? #Sustainability #ESG #ValueCreation #BusinessResilience #SustainableGrowth #Leadership

Our CEO Chris Hagler will be speaking at the American Accounting Association’s 2025 Sustainability in Accounting Conference on Friday in Arlington — joining Khrystyna Bochkay (University of Miami) and Jeffrey Hales (The University of Texas at Austin & International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Board Member). Sustainability is more than a commitment — it requires clear, measurable progress backed by transparency and accountability. Chris and the panel will share practical ideas for collecting and managing data for effective decision making and reporting. Learn more about the conference and let Chris know if you’ll be attending:? https://lnkd.in/eiyCvtWC #Accounting #ESG #Transparency #Accountability #AAAHQ

In response to growing market demand, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has launched two powerful tools to help individuals and organizations build critical skills and capacity around nature-related issues. The Learning Lab: A self-guided platform for professionals at any level to dive deep into TNFD’s recommendations on nature-related issues. It features modules with videos, case studies, and interactive content, allowing users to track progress and access new materials as they become available. The Trainer Portal: A comprehensive suite of high-quality training materials for both in-house teams and third-party training providers. This “white-label” content is customizable for a range of sectors and geographies, empowering educators to bring TNFD’s guidance to life. With over 1,700 organizations already committed to the TNFD and growing global support, these tools are a major step toward equipping businesses and financial professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to act on nature-related risks and opportunities. At Impact Pathways, we are actively advising clients on integrating TNFD’s guidance into their sustainability and risk management strategies, ensuring they stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape. Learn more and get started here: https://lnkd.in/eQ6gN2K6 Charlotte Reinnoldt | McKenna Barney | Emma Birch #NatureFinance #Sustainability #TNFD

As you engage with stakeholders, you'll likely encounter competing interests. For example, investors may prioritize climate action, while unions might focus on living wages. It’s important to acknowledge that aligning every interest may not be possible. However, you can still be transparent about what stakeholders can expect moving forward, even if their priorities aren’t at the top of the agenda. Want to explore stakeholder engagement further? Read "Effective Stakeholder Engagement" here:https://lnkd.in/eyHawPxJ

The European Commission’s Omnibus package aims to simplify EU rules and boost competitiveness, with a focus on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy. The next steps involve the European Parliament and Council reviewing the proposals —?The Commission has requested a fast-track process, but it remains uncertain whether this will be agreed upon. In the meantime, businesses must continue to comply with the existing rules, though changes could impact reporting deadlines for large companies. We are recommending three practical actions for US-based companies: —?Evaluate how the Omnibus affects your requirements for sustainability reporting to align your strategies with upcoming regulatory changes. — Stay informed on how the Omnibus evolves within EU member countries and the EU Commission. Local nuances can have an impact on your obligations. — Revisit the sustainability assessments you've already conducted, especially your double materiality assessments. Understanding the most important issues for your stakeholders and value chain can provide insights going forward. The final adoption of these proposals will shape the future of sustainability reporting and due diligence in the EU — and for companies with significant business ties in the region. JD Supra | Roland Montfort: https://lnkd.in/ehGeQTcD

Practical Tips for Companies Preparing for the EU CSRD with the Omnibus Update After reading the regulation and countless summaries of the Omnibus and CSRD, I've been reflecting on actionable steps that businesses can take—especially given the current uncertainty. In working with my US-based clients, I'm recommending three practical actions: - Analyze Scoping Impact: Evaluate how the Omnibus affects your scoping requirements for sustainability reporting. This will help you align your strategies with upcoming regulatory changes. - Monitor EU Developments: Stay informed on how the Omnibus evolves within EU member countries and the EU Commission. Local nuances can have a significant impact on your reporting obligations. - Focus on Business Value & Materiality: Revisit the sustainability assessments you've already conducted, especially your double materiality assessments. Understanding the most important issues for your stakeholders and value chain can provide valuable insights to keep driving business value through sustainability. While uncertainty still surrounds the regulation, one thing remains clear: when focused on material issues, sustainability has the potential to create significant value for your business. #Sustainability #EUCSRD #Omnibus #SustainableBusiness #RegulatoryCompliance #Materiality Impact Pathways

Meet?Jenna Curran, CPA, a dedicated professional at Impact Pathways who specializes in helping organizations elevate their ESG strategies. With a strong focus on transparency and accountability in sustainability reporting, Jenna?guides clients through the ever-evolving ESG landscape, helping them achieve their sustainability vision with clarity and credibility. Based in Denver, Colorado,?Jenna?is committed to helping organizations build adaptive strategies that support sustainable growth and long-term positive impact. Reach out and connect with her on LinkedIn to begin the conversation!

Sustainability has evolved from being seen as a cost center to a core business strategy, driven by increased reporting requirements and a recognition of its long-term financial and competitive benefits. However, corporate emissions continue to rise, largely due to the disconnect between sustainability goals and site-level operations. To be impactful, it must be integrated into daily operations — where sustainability drives innovation, efficiency, and employee engagement. Our Co-founder and CEO Chris Hagler co-authored this piece with Ed Koch, Chief Solutions Officer of Competitive Capabilities International. https://lnkd.in/d7x_d4n8

Excited to attend CleanMed 2025 in Atlanta! Nature and biodiversity are the foundation of human health, serving as essential life-support systems. Looking forward to collaborating with industry leaders and exploring fresh insights on how the sector can navigate pathways to advance human well-being and a nature-positive future. If you’ll be there too, let’s connect! #CleanMed2025 #HealthcareSustainability #ClimateHealth #Biodiversity #Nature #ClimateResilience #Atlanta