Having explored the distinctions between ESG and impact, and the importance of sustainability for startups, it's time to translate this understanding into concrete steps. Here's how to set sustainability goals and develop a roadmap that aligns with your startup's vision and operational strategy.

Clear, actionable goals are the cornerstone of any effective strategy, sustainability included. For startups, this means integrating ESG-related objectives that are both ambitious and achievable, ensuring they complement your broader growth aspirations. Early engagement with sustainability not only streamlines integration but also supports your business's overall strategic direction.

The key thing for very early-stage companies is to:

<aside> 💡 Understand the influence: Recognize how non-financial factors, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects, impact your startup's performance and potential.

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<aside> 💡 Identify priorities: Determine which factors are most critical to your startup's bottom line, brand, and reputation from the outset.

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<aside> 💡 Align with strategy and values: Ensure the sustainability factors you focus on are aligned with your startup's mission and operational goals i.e., they make sense for what you do and what your product is trying to achieve.

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Antler published Sustainability for Startups from Day Zero which may be a helpful read.

How do you set your sustainability goals?

While ESG disclosures and ratings become increasingly pivotal in the business landscape, clarity in your startup's sustainability approach is no longer optional—it's imperative. Though existing ESG reporting standards primarily target public companies, they underscore the growing expectation for transparency and accountability across all business stages.

Several external sustainability reporting standards currently exist for public companies:

• The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards cover the full range of ESG-related issues and are designed to drive organizational transparency on issues from anti-corruption to biodiversity.
• The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) has 77 standards that focus on financial-material sustainability information.
• The World Economic Forum's Measuring Stakeholder Capitalism metrics aim to bring a degree of consistency to ESG reporting.

While we think it is worth a look, much of this is inappropriate for early-stage companies. This is why we developed the toolkit—to help you think about the goals you can set, no matter what stage your company is at. These goals should lay a solid foundation for sustainable business practices, enhancing your appeal to investors, customers, and employees alike.

<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/fd0ab3e3-d273-4187-ba72-ea80c50530f4/Antler_Sign.jpeg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/fd0ab3e3-d273-4187-ba72-ea80c50530f4/Antler_Sign.jpeg" width="40px" /> Your startup's sustainability goals and roadmap will naturally reflect your unique business model, product offerings, values, and market positioning. Consideration of external factors, such as regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations, is crucial in this process.

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<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/fd0ab3e3-d273-4187-ba72-ea80c50530f4/Antler_Sign.jpeg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/fd0ab3e3-d273-4187-ba72-ea80c50530f4/Antler_Sign.jpeg" width="40px" /> Your company's ESG roadmap will be an iterative process.

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Here are some steps that early-stage companies can follow to build your roadmap.

1. Business priority assessment

Identify critical issues likely to impact your growth and profitability. Consider market trends, customer needs, and regulatory landscapes to prioritize effectively.

Questions to ask: