Turning Reporting into Impact: Actionable Steps for Companies

This blog is part of a series published by Elizabeth Pulos, head of compliance, sustainability, and traceability innovation, and leader of Inspectorio’s Center of Excellence.

Over the past few years, sustainability efforts have become synonymous with carbon target setting and ESG compliance—digging up data, filling out questionnaires, collecting chain of custody documentation, and trying to make sense of all the acronyms. And while we tell ourselves that accountability moves the needle forward, we’re left with a sense that we’re not quite focusing on the right thing.

The most forward-thinking brands are shifting their focus from low-value excel-based data wrangling to high-value risk segmentation and strategic decision-making—where reporting serves as a baseline for meaningful engagement, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency

How can companies move beyond the data reporting trap and turn sustainability into a competitive advantage? Here are four actionable steps to make that transition.

Step 1: Engage Suppliers as Partners, Not Just Checkboxes

Suppliers are at the center of sustainability efforts—but too often, they are treated as liabilities rather than strategic partners. Instead of burdening them with redundancy, brands must engage with suppliers to help drive measurable improvements.

How to Do It:

• Reduce audit fatigue with equivalencies and risk-based segmentation.
• Offer suppliers hands-on sustainability training and resources.
• Incentivize ESG improvements with preferential partnerships.

Example: Leading brands are empowering suppliers with systems, technology, training, and financial levers that enhance internal management systems and promote site-specific continuous improvement.

Step 2: Leverage AI & Technology for Smarter ESG Management

Many brands still rely on manual reporting and outdated systems, making ESG compliance reactive instead of proactive. AI and data analytics can transform sustainability efforts by detecting risks, streamlining audits and assessments, and identifying improvement opportunities in real-time.

How to Do It:

• Use AI to analyze data, identify opportunities, and predict risks.
• Automate ESG data collection and reporting to reduce manual workload.
• Monitor sustainability KPIs in real time across your supply chain.

Example: AI-powered platforms like Inspectorio enable companies to move from static reports to real-time sustainability insights, allowing them to take proactive action before violations occur.

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Watch our webinar with Liz Pulos to learn how you can future proof your supply chain to stay ahead of global and economic uncertainty. 

Step 3: Foster Interdepartmental Collaboration for Holistic ESG Strategies

Sustainability can’t be siloed—it requires close collaboration across multiple teams, including product, sourcing, procurement, finance, legal, logistics, and marketing. By breaking down these barriers, companies can integrate ESG goals with business strategy and operational realities.

How to Do It:

• Integrate sustainability goals into procurement and sourcing decisions.
• Involve finance teams to identify ROI in sustainability investments.
• Integrate ESG teams into business strategy discussions.

Example: Companies that embed ESG into their procurement strategies—such as requiring social and environmental compliance in supplier contracts—are more likely to achieve long-term success and impact.

Step 4: Proactively Prepare for Regulatory Changes

Global ESG regulations are evolving rapidly. Instead of responding to new laws after they take effect, companies benefit from taking a proactive approach to compliance and reporting—ensuring they are always ahead of changing requirements.

How to Do It:

• Continuously monitor emerging regulations.
• Digitize ESG data to ensure readiness.
• Implement due diligence processes to avoid supply chain disruptions.

Example: With new due diligence laws in the EU and U.S., companies that have already digitized their data systems are avoiding costly penalties and supply chain disruptions.

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

This concludes our four-part blog series on the evolution of sustainability in supply chains. We’ve explored:

• How reporting has overtaken impact in ESG strategies
• Why unattainable sustainability goals are failing companies
• The shift from marketing-led to supply chain-led sustainability
• Actionable steps to move from reporting to impact

Now, it’s time for companies to act—transforming ESG from an obligation into a true driver of supply chain resilience and competitive advantage.

About Elizabeth Pulos

Elizabeth is the head of compliance, sustainability, and traceability innovation at Inspectorio. As the leader of Inspectorio’s Center of Excellence, she fosters innovation and drives best practices in supply chain sustainability, compliance, and traceability among brands, suppliers, and technology vendors.

Before joining Inspectorio, Elizabeth was the director of global sustainability at Converse (Nike Inc.), served as Macy’s sustainability and social responsibility lead, and directed the compliance factory certification program at Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP).