FROM VISION TO IMPACT EP 2 : ASSESS CURRENT STATE

A Dave and Dharm DeMystify Special Series - From Vision to Impact with Shargiil Bashir

This episode emphasises that assessing a company's current environmental, social, and economic impact serves as the foundational step towards embracing sustainability.
Without understanding the starting point, organisations risk navigating sustainability efforts completely blind, making it impossible to plan effectively for the future.
Comprehensive data collection approaches across three key areas. Environmental impact assessment utilises frameworks such as the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards and GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Protocol to measure energy consumption, carbon emissions across all three scopes, and resource usage. Social impact evaluation examines employee well-being, community engagement, and supplier relationships. Governance assessment analyses board composition, ethical practices, and shareholder rights.
A crucial component involves conducting a market analysis from an ESG perspective, including an evaluation of the competitive landscape, identification of sustainability trends, assessment of the regulatory environment, and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Shargiil advocates for materiality assessment, a process of stakeholder engagement that identifies and prioritises the most relevant ESG issues based on their impact and importance to both the organisation and its stakeholders.
Companies like Toyota, Apple, Nike, and Liberty Mutual exemplify successful current state assessments, demonstrating how comprehensive analysis enables informed decision-making, strategic goal setting, and enhanced transparency.
This assessment process transforms uncertainties into opportunities whilst establishing accountability baselines for continuous improvement. This isn’t just about identifying problems; it's about recognising strengths, setting benchmarks, and building a roadmap for improvement.