In the ESG debate, too many businesses still treat sustainability and social impact as compliance exercises driven by frameworks, metrics, and disclosure requirements, according to Diedre Sorensen, Partner and Global Leader for ESG at OC&C Strategy Consultants.
While these are essential, they are not sufficient, she says. To build resilient businesses and create real impact, she states that firms must move beyond what they are required to report and focus instead on what they are uniquely positioned to contribute.
“The most powerful ESG initiatives are those rooted in a firm’s core capabilities, not simply bolted on to meet external expectations.”, she adds.
Rethinking the ESG Playbook
Diedre points out that frameworks such as B Corp and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provide valuable guardrails, but they cannot define the entirety of an ESG agenda.
“Pro bono consulting, for example, does not sit neatly within traditional categories of financial donations or employee volunteering. Yet for OC&C, it has been a cornerstone of impact for decades.”, she says.
Speaking on their recent work with NSPCC as part of the global Common Good series, presented by B Lab Global and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, she explains, “ We chose to feature our work with NSPCC because it demonstrates how we can use our strategic consulting skills to bring about social impact. Our message in sharing this is not necessarily about encouraging every firm to engage in pro bono work, but rather to showcase one of the many ways we’ve chosen to have real impact, buy utilising our strengths and capabilities as a business.”
In FY24 alone, OC&C dedicated pro bono resources equivalent to 2.1% of global revenue, with over 100 employees contributing their expertise across causes ranging from children’s welfare to environmental sustainability.
“Purpose and performance are not opposing forces,” Sorensen notes. “We’ve seen how values-led work, such as our pro bono activities, helps us retain talent, sharpen our thinking, and build stronger teams.”, adds Diedre.
The Business Case for Purpose
For Diedre, ESG is not about trade-offs. She argues that when purpose is embedded into business strategy, the results are tangible. This includes stronger employee engagement, sharper intellectual capital, and greater long-term resilience.
“Being a B Corp means believing that business can be a force for good. By taking what we do well in our day-to-day business and applying it to charity, we can have outsized impact in a way that also grows our people and our capabilities.”
Authentic ESG Means Transparency
Another theme Diedre stresses is authenticity. “Too much corporate ESG reporting reads like marketing copy. What’s needed is more openness about both achievements and shortcomings.”
She adds that transparency is vital for authentic and genuine change. “It’s important to be open and authentic in our communications. Transparency isn’t just about publishing metrics, it’s about sharing progress and challenges alike, to encourage accountability, raise standards and invite collective progress across the industry. Doing the right thing shouldn’t be a competition and we hope to learn from and inspire other companies on the journey.”
Where Next for ESG Leadership?
Diedre emphasizes that B Corp certification is not an endpoint, but a commitment to continuous improvement.
“OC&C is already investing in reducing its environmental footprint through SBTi-validated net-zero targets, expanding its pro bono partnerships, and ensuring ESG considerations are embedded into client work and internal operations.”, she adds.
“Being a B Corp isn’t about the badge, it’s a mindset. We’ve learned that when you embed purpose in strategy, and hold yourself accountable, the business becomes more resilient, more human, and ultimately, more successful.”
She concludes, explaining that the takeaway for other firms is that ESG leadership will not be defined by those who meet minimum standards. It will be defined by those willing to think differently about how their unique assets can serve the common good.
