Ask David: How Can Sustainability Leaders Speak the Language of Business
As sustainability evolves, leaders need to connect sustainability to strategy, incentives, and business value. Here’s how.
One of the biggest barriers to sustainability impact is a lack of translation. Sustainability professionals often operate in a language built around frameworks, standards, and scientific terminology. That language is important, but it rarely moves budgets, shifts strategy, or unlocks executive buy-in. The professionals who drive real change inside organizations are the ones who can connect sustainability to what business leaders already care about: costs, revenues, risks, and competitive positioning.
In this Q&A, Jimena Padilla speaks with David Carlin about why sustainability needs to speak the language of business, what that looks like in practice and how sustainability leaders can move from a compliance function to strategic partners.
This is the third edition of Ask David, an ongoing series where David answers the questions sustainability teams are navigating today. Throughout the series, David offers actionable advice on demonstrating financial value, strengthening business strategy, managing risk, and driving real organizational impact.
If you want to submit a question to be answered in a future edition, let us know in the comments section below.
