Establishing a Competitive Advantage with ESG & Sustainability Reporting
01. Top challenges
A leading manufacturing company in the renewable energy industry sought to retrieve impact reports from their various utility-scale installation projects across the U.S. These projects included the installation of updated equipment on utility-scale sites, as well as the repowering or decommissioning of some systems due to weather events and necessary upgrades.
They were searching for an environmental agency partner to educate stakeholders on the long-term adoption of their products while highlighting the company’s care and commitment throughout the system’s entire lifecycle.
The team required the expertise of an agency with a strong background in environmental science, capable of developing impact reports that address areas often overlooked in similar reports. This market leader wanted more than standard CO2 emissions data, and they aimed to explore ESG metrics in greater depth.
02.The solutions
Research
Our team conducted site visits while reinstallation work was in progress. We tracked all materials removed and all materials installed. We then followed those materials to their recycling or reuse destinations. We interviewed the vendors, examining their records for material processing and downstream activities as well as their company growth as a result of the additional influx of materials from the projects.
Branding and Messaging
Messaging was geared toward C-suite executives and investors speaking to the competitive advantage gained from these insights for their clients. We spoke factually and transparently about the impact made and areas of improvement as opportunities for future action.
Strategy
We used two common guidelines for this report, including ISO 14001 and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). We added content sharing worthy stories and backgrounds, and we were able to increase the value of the reports to showcase each area of impact the company was producing.
Execution
The A.R. team analyzed key performance data, sustainability metrics, and stakeholder feedback to showcase measurable outcomes. The final report was presented formally to the executive team with an interactive PDF production and a content marketing packet that leveraged the information for their internal communications team.
03.The results
The series of impact reports produced regionally gave these utility-scale renewable energy projects a powerful competitive advantage for their utility-scale clients. The clients were able to incorporate the reports into their own annual reporting to show how their partners were taking responsible measures to reuse and recycle valuable materials. The reported results were more contracts and awards to the manufacturer as a continued trusted partner.
In addition, through the report, project developers and stakeholders gained the resources to communicate their ESG achievements transparently and effectively. This increased visibility demonstrated the manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability and supported strategic decision-making for future renewable energy advancements.
04.Opportunities
Our team went beyond delivering a standard impact report by crafting a strategic tool that measured progress and positioned the client ahead of competitors. We emphasized the tangible outcomes of sustainability initiatives and compared them to industry benchmarks, which paved the way for ongoing success in a competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Here are additional opportunities that came about.
In addition, through the report, project developers and stakeholders gained the resources to communicate their ESG achievements transparently and effectively. This increased visibility demonstrated the manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability and supported strategic decision-making for future renewable energy advancements.