Move Past Sustainability Information Overload by Turning Data into Action

Companies and governments around the world are increasingly focused on the importance of working towards a more sustainable future. But doing so requires collecting and analyzing tremendous amounts of data — from metrics about  an organization’s own impact to that of every supplier it works with, as well as the impact from raw materials to finished products. 

For apparel and consumer goods companies seeking to understand and improve impact in their supply chains, environmental sustainability assessments, like the Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) developed by Cascale, are key pillars of a company’s sustainability strategy. However, for the sustainability professionals managing these programs, the amount of data they collect can be both exciting and immense. 

With thousands of data points from a single annual assessment, turning all that information into meaningful action can be overwhelming. Thankfully, several leading brands have developed effective strategies to navigate these challenges and drive real impact. Sustainability leaders from Eileen Fisher, Marks & Spencer, and Komar Brands shared their experience-based approaches for transforming environmental data into actionable insights. Here are their key strategies for success.

Start small, think big

 When Marks & Spencer first began its Plan A journey to net zero, only 20 facilities were asked to track their environmental management practices. Today, more than one thousand facilities complete Higg FEM assessments and share them with Marks & Spencer each year. Taking an incremental approach allowed the UK brand to thoroughly understand each assessment and establish a strong foundation for managing data at scale.

While those 19,000 data points would have been completely overwhelming at the start, Atwell says that the time she spent truly understanding the relatively few assessments in the early stages of M&S’s journey paid off as the brand’s sustainability program grew to include more of their facility partners, which helped the brand gain a fuller view of its environmental impact. 

Focus on relationships, not just numbers

While collecting environmental data is crucial, the numbers themselves aren’t the end goal.

Leading brands use their data as a foundation for meaningful conversations with suppliers, understanding their unique challenges and collaboratively identifying opportunities for improvement. This approach transforms data collection from a mere compliance exercise into a catalyst for real partnership and sustainability progress.

In fact, suppliers are sometimes ahead of the curve in their sustainability practices. Brands that  take a relationship-first approach with their supply chain partners can learn about practices that are already working and share that knowledge with their other facility partners.

Create clear frameworks

Before diving into detailed metrics, successful companies establish sustainability frameworks for prioritizing which data points matter most. Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, Director of Sustainability at Komar Brands, recommends developing a framework based on three key pillars: current legislation, retailer expectations, and long-term business strategy.

While your brand’s framework may be different, the important part is putting thought into the key strategic categories you’re focused on. This will save your company time and provide a guiding north start to help you navigate progress and track improvements. You can always adjust as needed, but without a clear initial framework, it’s easy to get lost among thousands or tens of thousands of data points and lose sight of meaningful outcomes. 

Consider local context

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to sustainability targets. Geographic and regulatory differences significantly impact what suppliers can achieve, and which key areas they should focus on.

Understanding local contexts helps companies set realistic targets and interpret data appropriately, leading to more effective sustainability programs that acknowledge and work within local realities. Additionally, it’s important to look at each facility’s baseline impact and  progress to consider how it compares to the larger industry and its local peers. Sustainability doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Rather, the best outcomes occur when brands consider all the factors impacting a facility’s ability to succeed in ambitious but achievable target-setting.  

Looking ahead

To scale true sustainability progress and improvements, like reducing global GHG emissions and preserving water, the future of sustainability data lies in its integration across all aspects of strategic business operations. Leading organizations are breaking down silos between sustainability teams and other departments, transforming complex environmental data into actionable insights that can inform everything from sourcing decisions to product design and development.

Ready to turn your sustainability data into meaningful action? Learn how Worldly can help you implement these strategies and make the most of your environmental data by streamlining Higg FEM assessments and facilitating meaningful data sharing between brands and their partners.