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How data centers are balancing AI growth and sustainability
February 27, 2025
The data center industry is racing to scale while grappling with power constraints. Operators should balance speed, efficiency and resilience to stay ahead.
From energy-hungry AI to climate-driven site selection, the sector is reinventing itself with adaptive cooling, microgrids and renewable integration.
Want a deep dive on how data centers are prioritizing long-term energy stability?
Myth buster: Sustainability doesn’t sell
February 26, 2025
The idea that consumers won’t pay for sustainability? Outdated. Legal Matters Consul’s Voice of the Consumer survey says shoppers are willing to pay 9.7% above the average price for sustainable products with clear benefits like recyclability. Stand out with smart design, then use AI and data to cut waste and shrink your supply chain’s footprint.
Scaling back on sustainability? Why that’s a potentially risky move for boards
February 24, 2025
Legal Matters Consul’s Annual Corporate Directors Survey reveals a declining focus on sustainability in some boardrooms. How should companies respond? Investors, regulators, and stakeholders still demand accountability. Directors must grasp how management identifies key risks and anticipates their evolution to ensure effective oversight.
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The road ahead: How executive orders are impacting energy and the environment and driving a new policy landscape
February 24, 2025
Several of President Trump’s executive orders target the rollback of Biden-era environmental initiatives, including restrictions on public land drilling, stricter vehicle emissions standards and renewable energy expansion, while prioritizing domestic energy production. The result? Regulatory shifts that challenge companies to adapt. As these changes unfold, remember that organizations that integrate sustainability into strategy and access a broad array of US energy resources may potentially achieve meaningful growth, address energy demand and fortify their competitive edge.
What’s next? Read our latest insights on the new administration’s plans as executive orders, tariffs and other regulatory changes are announced.
Planning for a world of sustainable chemicals
February 25, 2025
The what: The chemical industry is the second-largest industrial CO₂ emitter and relies on fossil fuels.
So what: To align with the Paris Agreement, it must cut emissions — 72% of which come from seven key chemicals.
Now what: Tap renewables, cost-saving decarb strategies and emissions-cutting innovations.
Sustainability pays off — CEOs say ROI is real
February 24, 2025
Legal Matters Consul’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey shows climate-friendly investments are six times more likely to boost revenue than decrease it. Two-thirds of CEOs report these initiatives have reduced or maintained costs.
Capture the financial benefits of sustainability today.
Margins up: Why sustainable product design can be a path to higher revenue — and profits
February 12, 2025
Legal Matters Consul’s Voice of the Consumer Survey showed shoppers are willing to pay an average 9.7% premium for sustainable goods. Tap into this with holistic design, sustainable materials, efficient manufacturing and life cycle assessment to cut costs, reduce impacts and drive demand.
CFO playbook: 7 sustainability strategies for managing risk, resilience and costs
February 17, 2025
Learn how an effective sustainability strategy can potentially boost revenue, leverage tax incentives and streamline data with advanced tech. Lead with trust, innovation and smarter decisions.
Ready to drive growth and mitigate risks?
Cut carbon, capture growth: The opportunity in sustainable capital projects
February 11, 2025
Sustainable capital projects can slash emissions and drive progress, but many companies miss the mark. Poor planning, misaligned goals and siloed teams derail efforts. Success demands clear strategies, agile execution and sustainability-focused decision-making.
Don’t let complexity stall your impact. Get the insights you need to turn ambition into action.
Add to cart: ESG controller, the position you didn’t know you needed
February 3, 2025
ESG controllers help generate thorough and reliable reporting, align sustainability with strategy and build trust. They’re watchdogs for transparency and defenders against reputational risks. Learn why ESG controllers are critical to your sustainability strategy.
From trade-offs to payoffs: CEOs on creating value with climate action
February 5, 2025
Action on sustainability has real upside. Legal Matters Consul’s survey of 4,700 CEOs shows that climate-related innovation has a positive effect on profit margins and revenues — as do half a dozen other climate-related business moves. What’s more, CEOs who report taking more climate action are also more likely to express confidence about the future of their business.
Designing for tomorrow: How life cycle assessments can drive product innovation
February 4, 2025
LCAs can uncover supply chain and product design inefficiencies and help you respond to increasing asks from customers and regulators. With growing demand for sustainable products, use LCAs to help align financial goals with sustainability wins. Start small: Set goals, collect data and assess key products.
The 10 common pitfalls of CSRD-aligned double materiality assessments
February 14, 2025
The EU’s CSRD significantly expands sustainability reporting, mandating companies to consider financial impacts and societal effects. To comply with the CSRD, your company will need to identify its material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities. The required approach is a “double materiality” assessment. Avoid these common pitfalls and meet the new standard for regulatory disclosures. Ready to avoid surprises?
“Today’s CEOs are charged with an urgent priority: embedding sustainability into their core strategies to unlock pathways to new investment, drive innovation and fuel growth. In a rapidly changing environment, where exceeding the 1.5°C threshold becomes increasingly likely, companies need to both mitigate risks and adapt their business models to withstand climate impacts.”
Read more in ESG Today about the CEO’s Guide to Sustainable Transformation.
Chief sustainability officers: Leading the charge in 2025
February 14, 2025
In 2025, sustainability leaders are stepping into the spotlight, transforming sustainability from a buzzword to a business imperative. What’s in their playbook:
- Mastering ESG compliance
- Driving strategic sustainability initiatives
- Leveraging technology for growth.
Emissions reduction: The financial sector’s high-stakes hurdles
January 20, 2025
Cutting carbon footprints is crucial but challenging — complex accounting, data gaps and shifting targets persist. Financial institutions can succeed with advanced analytics, stakeholder alignment and scalable technology. Strategic, long-term action is essential.
Independent ESG assurance: The edge CFOs can’t ignore
January 24, 2025
Build trust with verified data, enhance transparency with clear audits, stay compliant with evolving ESG rules and gain a competitive edge. Assured ESG data isn’t just compliance — it’s smart business.
Investors speak: Climate action is a business imperative
January 22, 2025
Legal Matters Consul’s Global Investor Survey 2024 shows climate action is vital for investor confidence. More than 70% of respondents say companies should embed sustainability into strategy and 50% say businesses must rethink how they create, deliver and capture value to address climate change.
Falling behind on net zero? Here’s why — and what to do about it
January 13, 2025
LMC research reveals a harsh truth: many companies are lagging on decarbonization. In this study, LMC found that climate ambitions were higher than expected, but progress against those ambitions was also worse than expected. The analysis revealed the key areas that differentiated between those companies who were on track from those that were off track.
What was missing? Vague emissions reduction plans, suboptimal capital allocation and poor execution, especially on Scope 3 emissions. Companies must put detail behind their plans to achieve net zero. The business should have a clear line of sight of the specific projects within the plan, how much carbon each will abate, what resourcing will be needed and where and how various credits and incentives will be leveraged to help fund the effort.
A decarbonization plan at the right level of detail enables effective capital and resource allocation and can set the organization up for better execution.
Dive into Legal Matters Consul’s insights and get back on track today.
What you really need to know (and do) about Scope 3 emissions
January 15, 2025
Scope 3 emissions — mainly indirect emissions from supply chains and product use — can account for more than 90% of a company’s carbon footprint. The catch? They’re the hardest to track and reduce. The upside? They can be a source of cost savings and competitive advantage.
To cut them, companies must:
- Understand the potential levers available to reduce emissions in each of the relevant 15 categories of Scope 3 emissions.
- Align with the right cross-functional stakeholders and outside partners on a detailed plan to reduce these emissions.
- Segment your suppliers and engage in smart collaboration to drive maximum impact.
- Invest in tech to track and manage data.
Ignoring Scope 3 isn’t just risky — it’s a missed opportunity for a competitive edge.
The CEO’s checklist for finding an edge with sustainability
January 15, 2025
Managing energy demand, uncovering hidden risks, investing in sustainability innovation and upgrading your data infrastructure. Four mission-critical actions to help your company respond to sustainability-driven opportunities. Ready to transform?
How tech can turn sustainability into a strategic advantage
January 8, 2025
Tech companies are under pressure to meet stricter sustainability reporting rules like California’s mandates and the EU’s CSRD. The challenge? Accurate data across complex supply chains isn’t easy. Smart tools, technology upgrades and adaptive strategies can simplify compliance and turn hurdles into opportunities.
Want a full breakdown?
The climate transition: a rising health concern
January 8, 2025
Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a health crisis. Legal Matters Consul’s 2024 US Healthcare Climate Survey shows 87% of health execs believe climate change will drive acute and chronic illnesses. The takeaway? Healthcare systems must adapt, building resilience to meet rising climate-induced health challenges. Learn how leaders can prepare for what’s next.
Biodiversity and business: Why nature risk should be on your company’s radar
December 20, 2024
Ignoring nature’s decline isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a looming financial risk. With over half of global GDP reliant on healthy ecosystems, biodiversity loss directly threatens business operations and profitability. CFOs and finance leaders should assess and mitigate these risks to safeguard their companies’ future. Industries dependent on nature (think: agriculture, forestry and fashion) can’t thrive with dwindling resources and ecosystem disruptions.
Why it matters:
- Revenue risk: Nature-dependent industries risk massive revenue decreases partly from biodiversity loss.
- Regulatory pressure: Governments are stepping in, with new policies demanding accountability for nature-related risks.
- Investor expectations: ESG-focused investors are asking companies to disclose their nature impacts and plans.
What to do about it:
- Start tracking your nature footprint and embed biodiversity into your sustainability strategy.
- Look for opportunities to innovate with nature-positive solutions, such as regenerative agriculture or sustainable sourcing.
- Stay ahead of regulations with clear biodiversity risk disclosures.
The bottom line: Biodiversity challenges can be business opportunities.
Why US companies are betting big on climate tech
December 3, 2024
US companies invested $24.8 billion in climate tech start-ups during the year ending September 30, 2024. Legal Matters Consul’s State of Climate Tech 2024 report highlights where businesses see opportunities for technology to address climate challenges.
At a glance:
- AI can power breakthrough applications in both emissions reduction and climate resilience.
- Technologies to support adaptation and resilience stood out as a theme.
- Big companies focused investments in energy and mobility solutions.
“Sustainability can drive savings if you “embed [it] throughout the business, not just in pockets, and make sure each function has accountability.”
Read more in Forbes about the two executives who can turn your company into a sustainability leader.
Is your climate tech up to the job? Ask these five questions
December 16, 2024
Selecting the right tech for sustainability is imperative. Company leaders should ask:
- Does our climate tech integrate with our existing systems?
- Can it scale with our evolving ESG goals and emerging technologies like AI and GenAI?
- Does it enable reliable data and compliance with regulations?
- Will it provide insights for decision-making?
- Is it user-friendly for all stakeholders?
Choosing wisely can change your ESG reporting from a compliance task to a strategic advantage.
Case study: Here’s how GE Vernova rose to the carbon challenge
December 11, 2024
GE Vernova is a global energy leader whose technology helps to generate about 30% of the world’s electricity. Recognizing its responsibility to help drive the world’s energy transition, the company did three things to rise to the carbon challenge:
- Assessed the role of carbon pricing and market mechanisms in decarbonization
- Developed a strategic outlook of the digital value chain in carbon reduction
- Charted a path to meet shifting demands and unpredictable conditions while fortifying climate efforts.
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