Gold Level - ESG Leader

Overview and Purpose

At the Gold level, ESG is no longer just a responsibility — it’s a driver of strategy, innovation, and industry influence. Organisations operating at this level set the benchmark for ESG performance, demonstrate transformative impact, and embed sustainability into every aspect of their business and value chain. This level is about leadership, systems thinking, and shaping the market.

Level Statement (L3.0) “Sustainability core to business strategy, influencing industry-wide ESG performance”

Strategic Priorities and Recommended Actions

The following themes reflect the advanced expectations of Gold-level organisations. Use these as strategic focus areas for your ongoing ESG leadership.

1. Embedding ESG in Strategy and Leadership

  • Define and embed an ESG-focused strategic vision into core business planning.

  • Ensure ESG principles are integrated across strategic, operational, and financial decisions.

  • Regularly update and govern your sustainability strategy in response to market, regulatory, and climate drivers.

  • Lead industry initiatives and influence sustainability standards across your sector.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G1 – Strategic Sustainability Leadership and Advocacy

  • SC21 Modules: Vision & Strategy, Strategy Deployment, CSR, Leadership Training

2. Sustainable Supply Chain Leadership

  • Collaborate with suppliers to co-develop ESG best practices and raise standards across your network.

  • Deploy advanced supplier monitoring, evaluation, and support programmes.

  • Update procurement strategies to reflect evolving ESG risks, regulations, and materiality assessments.

  • Actively lead or participate in sector-wide sustainable sourcing initiatives.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G2 – Advanced Supply Chain Sustainability Management

  • SC21 Modules: Supplier Strategy, Procurement Excellence, Category Management

3. Driving Continuous Improvement and Innovation

  • Make sustainability a core pillar of innovation pipelines and R&D investments.

  • Implement continuous improvement systems to reduce impacts, increase efficiency, and generate ESG-related IP.

  • Track and optimise the return on sustainability innovation (ROI, emissions, reputation, compliance).

  • Actively collaborate across your sector to co-develop and scale sustainability solutions.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G3 – Innovation for Sustainability

  • SC21 Modules: Innovation Excellence, Sustainable Design, Leadership Training

4. Product Lifecycle Leadership

  • Maintain up-to-date lifecycle assessments (LCAs) for all major product families and key markets.

  • Integrate circular economy principles into product development, materials selection, and end-of-life planning.

  • Share lifecycle impact data with customers, regulators, and investors where appropriate.

  • Influence standards for lifecycle impact reporting within your sector.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G4 – Lifecycle Sustainability Impact Reduction

  • SC21 Modules: Lifecycle Management, Sustainable Design, Environmental Compliance

5. Downstream Emissions & Customer Collaboration

  • Partner with customers to jointly reduce use-phase and end-of-life emissions.

  • Provide design support, training, and data to help customers adopt low-impact use models.

  • Innovate circular service models (e.g. product-as-a-service, take-back, repair schemes).

  • Shape downstream emissions disclosure standards through industry forums.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G4 – Lifecycle Sustainability Impact Reduction

  • SC21 Modules: Customer Relationship Excellence, Collaborative Working, APQP, SRM

6. ESG Credentials and Industry Advocacy

  • Maintain recognised certifications (e.g. ISO 14001, SBTi, EcoVadis) and update as standards evolve.

  • Actively contribute to working groups, trade bodies, and policy platforms on sustainability.

  • Report ESG performance through recognised standards (e.g. CSRD, CDP, TCFD) and share lessons learned.

  • Take a public stance on key sustainability issues through thought leadership and campaigns.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G1 – Strategic Sustainability Leadership and Advocacy

  • SC21 Modules: CSR, Ethical Performance, International Trade & Export

7. Economic Resilience through Sustainability

  • Continuously integrate sustainability into financial risk modelling and long-term planning.

  • Identify ESG-related revenue streams, such as green innovation, carbon reduction, and circular models.

  • Lead in sustainable finance, including ESG-linked loans, green bonds, and investor ESG engagement.

  • Report financial ESG performance with transparency, including risks, investments, and impact.

Support

  • ESG Syllabus: G1 – Strategic Sustainability Leadership and Advocacy

  • SC21 Modules: Financial Management, Strategic Financial Planning, Risk Management

Using This Pathway

The Gold Level Pathway is your strategic roadmap for sector leadership. It supports organisations that are setting ESG benchmarks, not just meeting them. Use this page to identify high-leverage actions, unlock cross-functional alignment, and prioritise leadership behaviours that influence systems beyond your organisation.

We recommend using the Gold Pathway in conjunction with:

  • Strategic reviews and board-level ESG planning

  • Scenario planning and risk modelling

  • ESG report development and stakeholder engagement

  • Cross-sector collaboration and innovation roadmaps

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