Engaging the C-suite in sustainable chemistry: 4 essential tips
How to motivate senior leadership to prioritize sustainable chemistry
Companies face mounting pressure to meet their chemical management and sustainable chemistry goals. Yet, in our industry survey, only 11% of chemicals management professionals say the C-suite is a driving force for these activities in their business.
This is in stark contrast to other influences. 81% of respondents cite regulators as the main source of pressure, followed by consumer demand (60%), competitors (47%), and employees (29%).
This disparity highlights an important issue: external pressures drive chemicals management and sustainable chemistry activities more than internal leadership. Without active engagement from the C-suite, companies risk failing to achieve their critical goals, such as compliance and supply chain transparency.
So, how can organizations effectively engage their leadership to secure support for these crucial goals?
This article draws on expert insights from the report The risk-opportunity divide: Closing the chemicals management gap with sustainable chemistry and webinar, Fulfilling sustainable requirements with green chemicals.
Tip #1 — Highlight the risks
Demonstrating the potential risks to leadership — particularly financial risks — can be a powerful way to prompt action. Key risk areas to emphasize include:
- Non-compliance: Regulatory violations can result in damaging legal action, including the potential for operational shutdown.
- Fines and penalties: Failing to meet requirements or standards may lead to costly fines and financial losses.
- Brand reputation: Sustainability missteps can damage brand reputation and consequently lead to a lack of trust from investors, consumers, and wider stakeholders.
- Supply chain relationships: Partners and suppliers may shift customer priorities, leading to procurement challenges and strained supplier engagement relationships.
Tip #2 — Identify the obstacle
Understanding why the C-suite isn’t prioritizing sustainable chemistry will help companies strategize their approach. The main challenge is the disconnect that exists between chemicals management and sustainability goals within the business. This misalignment makes it hard to motivate senior leadership. By bringing these siloed factors together, companies can better align and enhance their efforts.
There’s a weak connection between chemicals, sustainability objectives, and shareholder value among senior leadership.
Dr. Rui Resendes Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Change ChemistryTip #3 — Make the connections
To secure C-suite commitment, engagement, and buy-in, companies must clearly link sustainable chemistry to financial risk and shareholder value. Data-driven insights can help illustrate this connection and help prioritize sustainable chemistry, especially when approached in terms of value creation and value protection.
Value creation: Emphasize how sustainable chemistry can drive innovation, open new markets, and enhance product offerings. In our survey, respondents highlighted “broader market penetration, increased sales” as key opportunities resulting from investment in sustainable chemistry.
Value protection: Stress the importance of mitigating risks associated with:
- Non-compliance: Not staying up to date with chemical regulations and not meeting requirements
- Environmental, human and brand harm: Protecting consumers and the environment from harmful chemicals
- Reputational damage: Avoiding costly recalls, reformulations, and regrettable substitutions
Tip #4 — Detail the opportunities
Making the C-suite aware of the benefits of sustainable chemistry can be a strong motivator. Our survey revealed that greater investment in sustainable chemistry practices are understood to lead to:
- Improved safety: More efficient operations, sustainable products, and environmentally friendly processes
- Enhanced worker satisfaction: Better protections for workers exposed to chemicals, and more time available for larger projects
- Stronger market reputation: Enhanced brand perception, employee attraction and retention, stronger supply chain relationships, and increased sales
Respondents view investing in sustainable chemistry as a strategy to increase safety, enhance brand reputation, and drive market growth.
Sustainable chemistry could make our company a benchmark for the industry.
Survey respondentDiscover the full insights
Our survey reveals critical gaps in C-suite engagement with sustainable chemistry. Dive deeper into the findings and learn how to bridge these gaps to achieve your sustainability goals.
