Bridging ESG Strategy and Communication

In an era where businesses are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, Herdwick Communications and sustain:able (ESG Able Ltd) have joined forces to offer an innovative approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. Their partnership aims to provide corporations with technically sound, achievable, and clearly communicated sustainability solutions.

This collaboration is designed to help companies—particularly those in hard-to-abate industries—navigate the complexities of ESG reporting, emissions risk, and stakeholder engagement. The goal is clear: align technical expertise with communication excellence for a well-rounded sustainability journey.

Combining Strengths for ESG Success

sustain:able specializes in technical advisory services, focusing on emissions accounting, forecasting, and reduction strategies. Their expertise lies in addressing challenges faced by industries reliant on fuels and petrochemicals, such as aviation, mining, and energy.

Herdwick Communications complements this with their proven communication strategies, designed to translate technical data into clear, impactful narratives. Together, the two companies are setting a new standard in corporate sustainability.

“We bring a practical approach to the challenges hard-to-abate industries face,” said Dr. Rachel Gavey, Co-founder and Commercial Director of sustain:able. “We are excited to work with Herdwick, who value the integrity of technically-backed sustainability communications.”

Tackling Greenwashing and Greenhushing

One of the most pressing challenges in the sustainability landscape is avoiding greenwashing—the practice of misleading stakeholders about environmental practices—and its quieter counterpart, greenhushing, where companies fail to communicate their sustainability efforts for fear of scrutiny.

“Every organization must find its voice when it comes to communicating ESG,” emphasized Mike Evans, Co-Founder of Herdwick Communications. “Our role is to ensure factual, consumer-focused communication that builds trust while avoiding greenwashing and greenhushing.”

To address these concerns, Herdwick offers sustainability communications kits, enabling businesses to develop effective communication strategies within 30 days.

Making Sustainability Simple

sustain:able’s strategy revolves around their in-house Wayfinder tool, which evaluates a company’s sustainability needs and aligns them with reporting frameworks like:

• Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
• International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
• Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

By focusing on data-driven strategies and risk analysis, sustain:able ensures that organizations are equipped to meet regulatory demands while avoiding reputational pitfalls.

A Phased Approach to Achieving Net Zero

Herdwick and sustain:able recognize that sustainability strategies can feel overwhelming, particularly for organizations at the start of their ESG journey. Their approach emphasizes phased, manageable steps with clearly defined deliverables.

“sustain:able’s technical strategy provides the blueprint for long-term corporate sustainability,” said Elizabeth Maclean, Co-Managing Director of Herdwick Communications. “We help companies communicate confidently, laying the foundations for success.”

Why This Matters

With increasing global reporting requirements and rising incidences of climate litigation, the need for robust, auditable ESG strategies has never been greater. This partnership is well-positioned to help organizations not only meet but exceed these demands.

“Grounded, data-supported reviews should form the basis for any sustainability strategy,” noted Dr. Rosalie Constable, Co-founder and Technical Director of sustain:able. “Herdwick’s ability to communicate complex processes in an understandable way fits seamlessly with our approach.”

Leading the Way

This collaboration sets a precedent for the industry, showing that corporate sustainability can be both technically rigorous and effectively communicated. By combining their strengths, Herdwick and sustain:able offer a roadmap for businesses to meet stakeholder expectations, avoid litigation, and confidently progress toward net-zero goals.