Making Sustainability Real: From Talk to Tangible Action

Apr 16, 2025

On April 9, 2025, Certified Management Consultants from across Canada joined CMC-Ontario’s What’s Up Wednesday for a compelling virtual panel on “Making Sustainability Real.” With over 70 registered participants, this session brought timely insights for consultants helping organizations move from ambition to action on sustainability.

Moderated by Stephen N. Davies, CMC, Founder of Transformation by Design, the panel featured three experts bringing diverse perspectives:

Frances Edmonds, Head of Sustainable Impact, HP Canada
David Clarry, President, Innotain Inc.
Matt Zipchen, President, Efficiency Capital

The conversation started with a clear and urgent message: Canada and the world must halve carbon emissions by 2030 to meet the 1.5°C climate target. Using the Brundtland definition of sustainability “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations” in alignment with Indigenous ways of knowing and seven generation thinking the panel outlined how this long-term thinking needs to shape strategy now.

Key Takeaways for Consultants:

Start with Scope 3 Emissions: As Frances Edmonds emphasized, most carbon impact is found in supply chains. Consultants should assist clients in moving beyond superficial efforts to adopt sustainable procurement practices. For resources and templates, refer to the Net Zero Procurement Toolkit. Sending a clear signal to all suppliers that your client is planning to implement sustainable procurement and will be scoring suppliers on their performance as part of the bidding process is the fastest way to get meaningful action.
Use Materiality and Risk Assessment: David Clarry, CMC, stressed the importance of materiality assessments to pinpoint where sustainability initiatives connect with business success. This goes beyond compliance; it’s about opportunity and long-term viability.
Sustainability is a Lens, Not a Silo: Matt Zipchen highlighted that sustainability touches every function. Whether through building design, energy use, or employee engagement, embedding sustainability into operations requires cross-functional buy-in.
Speak the Language of Value: Budget concerns are real, but as the panel pointed out, sustainability efforts can unlock cost savings, improve access to capital, and enhance brand value. The key is to demonstrate the return on investment—environmentally, socially, and financially.
Leverage Existing Structures: From Joint Health & Safety Committees to procurement teams, organizations already have frameworks that can support sustainability—if empowered with the right mandate.
Follow the Leadership: One key insight? Where sustainability sits on the org chart matters. If it reports to the CEO, it’s strategy. "If not, then it’s likely seen as a cost centre. The strategic opportuntiy, and the opportunity for the sustainability consultant, is to show how it can be a value driver instead"

To dive deeper, the recording and presentation materials from this session are available here. You can also view other What’s Up Wednesday sessions or register for the upcoming, Governance in Action, here.

For anyone advising on sustainability or trying to build their own consulting competency in this space, this session delivered clear direction. As Frances put it, “Sustainability is a team sport. And the game is already being played.”

Helpful Resources for Consultants and Organizations

To support your sustainability journey and deepen your understanding, here are some valuable resources referenced during the session:

Sustainability Frameworks and Reporting

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): sdgs.un.org/goals
IFRS Sustainability Standards Navigator: ifrs.org/sustainability-standards-navigator
Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB): frascanada.ca CSSB Launch

Regulatory Guidance