Future-proofing your sustainability strategy: Insights from Sweep and Mercer

Sustainability has shifted from a boardroom talking point to a business imperative. But for leaders under pressure to balance costs, growth, and compliance, turning sustainability from a “nice to have” into a measurable value driver remains a challenge.

That was the focus of a recent webinar hosted by Sustainability Magazine in partnership with Sweep, featuring Rachel Delacour, CEO and co-founder of Sweep, and Cara Williams, Global Head of Climate and Sustainability at Mercer. Together, they shared practical ways organisations can future-proof their sustainability strategies – bridging the gap between ESG ambition and business performance.

From compliance to competitive advantage

The session opened with a clear message: sustainability is no longer simply about ticking regulatory boxes.

Sweep’s customers show how emissions reduction and business performance go hand in hand. Butternut Box, a premium pet food retailer, invested in heat recovery systems that cut emissions while reducing exposure to volatile energy prices. Wickes is pushing electrification projects that deliver cost savings as well as compliance wins.

Cara noted that the same shift is happening in investment. “In the past, investors thought about ESG as what to avoid. Now it’s about recognising upside. It’s inclusionary – about identifying the best positioned companies, not excluding entire sectors.”

The cost of inaction

The biggest risk is delay. Operationally, waiting exposes businesses to energy shocks, supply chain disruption, and compliance scrambles. Reputationally, investors, customers, and employees all demand answers – and trust is hard to win back once lost.

Cara pointed to investors now stress-testing portfolios against climate and social risks. Data centres, for example, are attractive investments, but without factoring in water use and community impact, they could quickly turn into liabilities.

Rachel added that the evidence is clear. A Morgan Stanley study found 88% of companies view sustainability as a long-term value driver, and more than 80% already track ROI. “In 2025, sustainability is just smart business,” she said.

Data as the game-changer

If one theme ran through the conversation, it was data. For corporates and investors alike, accurate ESG data is the bridge between ambition and results.

Rachel explained how customers are using data to drive innovation. One global cosmetics brand reformulated shampoo to rinse out faster, cutting both emissions and water use while improving customer experience. A smaller US brand shifted to local sourcing, creating a “Made in Brooklyn” identity and shrinking its footprint.

Supply chain resilience is another area where data makes the difference. French rail operator SNCF is collecting climate data from 160,000 suppliers through Sweep, strengthening its long-term operations.

“Data turns sustainability from a cost centre into real business value,” Rachel said.

Navigating regulation with technology

Regulation is tightening globally, from Europe’s CSRD to new ISSB standards. The volume of information required is daunting for most sustainability teams.

Rachel described how companies like Swisscom are using Sweep’s materiality matrix and AI-driven reporting to manage compliance. Once data is centralised and audit-ready, regulation becomes more than box-ticking – it informs better business decisions.

Cara agreed, while cautioning against inefficiencies. One global bank has 200 people working only on reporting, she noted. “That’s no longer beneficial. Technology should be freeing those people to focus on strategy and investment decisions.”

Breaking out of the sustainability silo

A common challenge for sustainability leaders is being seen as “the environmental department” rather than a driver of business growth.

Rachel agreed: “Don’t build your strategy in a silo. The leaders who succeed are the ones tying sustainability directly to core priorities like cost savings, resilience, and growth.” She compared it to digital transformation in the early 2000s – once thought of as “an IT issue” but now fundamental to every organisation.

Tips for future-proofing

As the session closed, Rachel and Cara offered practical guidance for leaders looking to make their sustainability strategies last:

• Keep it business-focused. Anchor sustainability in cost savings, risk management, and growth.
• Make it data-driven. Reliable ESG data enables quick adaptation to changing rules and expectations.
• Break the silo. Collaborate with finance, procurement, operations, and the board.
• Think long-term. Plan on three, five, and ten-year horizons to build resilience against short-term noise.

The takeaway

The message from Sweep and Mercer is clear: sustainability isn’t a distraction from business performance – it is business performance. With reliable data, proactive planning, and a business-first mindset, organisations can turn compliance pressures into competitive advantage and prepare for an uncertain future with confidence.

As Rachel put it: “In 2025, sustainability is just smart business. Period.”