Corporate Climate Leadership (Newsletter)

Friendly lessons from me, Mike Smith - founder, CEO, and your resident sustainability translator here at Aclymate - on how we can measure, reduce, and report our climate impact together.

I’m genuinely glad you’re here. This little corner of the internet is where I break down the big stuff, share stories from the field, and offer simple actions that make sustainability feel doable - not daunting - for every kind of business.

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This Month in Sustainability: Climate Leadership in the Age of Politically Charged Times

In one of my latest Substack essays, I talked about what I call “the infrastructure of democracy” - institutions built for the 20th century that are crumbling under 21st-century challenges. And honestly, the same can be said for the infrastructure of sustainability.

Too many companies that once started ambitious sustainability and ESG initiatives are now crumbling under the current administration’s position, pressure, and political overhang. Their efforts stall, not because they don’t care about the climate, but because the environment for progress feels uncertain or even hostile. 

Here’s the truth: this is exactly when leadership matters most.

The “big game” isn’t about the rally, the pledge, or the press release - it’s about the daily actions that move emissions, investments, and culture forward.

At Aclymate, I believe the same principle applies to climate action:

“No war is won without an army. Armies are made of individuals, all making their best decisions in the moment.” - from my essay, A Big Rally Isn’t the Big Game

So this month, I want to encourage every business - from CPG to professional services - to get off the sidelines and get in the game.

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Quick Win of the Month: Build Your Carbon Baseline in One Week

If you haven’t already built your company’s first carbon inventory, it’s easier than you think.

• Collect basic energy, travel, and purchasing data from your last 12 months.- Upload the data to your Aclymate dashboard.- Review your automated carbon footprint results and insights.- Share your findings with your team to kick off measurable action.

Need help? Read our guide: How to Start Your Company’s Carbon Inventory

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Certification Corner: What Is SBTi Validation?

If you’ve heard folks tossing around “SBTi” and nodded while secretly Googling it later — you’re not alone.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is the gold standard for validating corporate climate targets and confirming they’re aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway.

• Who it’s for: Companies ready to make real, public, science-backed commitments.- Why it matters: It boosts credibility with investors, customers, and partners.‍- How Aclymate helps: Our experts guide you through emissions measurement, goal setting, and submission to SBTi.

Learn more: SBTi Validation Process Explained

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