For organizations navigating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), the path forward can feel complex. That’s why at Southpaw, we don’t just advise on sustainability—we go through the process ourselves.
In this blog post, we reflect on our recent EcoVadis assessment and share three takeaways from the experience. From aligning internal practices to strengthening how we guide clients on their own ESG journeys, the value wasn’t just in the recognition, it was in what we learned along the way. If you’re looking to build a more grounded, actionable approach to ESG, this is a good place to start.
Leading by Learning: What Our EcoVadis Success Means — and Why It Matters for You
At Southpaw, we see sustainability as more than a checklist. It’s both a responsibility and an opportunity — to do better for people and the planet, and to help our clients do the same. That’s why we participate in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment, a rigorous evaluation of our environmental, social, and ethical practices.
We’re proud to have earned the Commitment Badge, a recognition that reflects our continued progress in responsible business practices. While we’re not in it for the accolades, tracking our performance helps us grow and strengthens how we support our clients.
As a research and strategy firm, we work with organizations navigating complex ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities. Going through this process ourselves gives us firsthand insight into what that truly takes. It improves how we operate internally and how we show up as partners to clients striving to lead with purpose.
What Is EcoVadis, Exactly?
EcoVadis is one of the most widely used sustainability assessment platforms in the world. Over 130,000 companies have completed its evaluation, which scores ESG performance across 21 criteria spanning four key areas:
🔹 Environment
🔹 Labor & Human Rights
🔹 Ethics
🔹 Sustainable Procurement
Companies receive a score and, if eligible, a badge or medal based on how they perform relative to peers. But EcoVadis is more than a scorecard. It offers a roadmap for continuous improvement, grounded in global standards and best practices.
3 Things We Learned from Our Assessment
We walked away with practical insights after completing the EcoVadis assessment. Here are three lessons that stand out:
1. Sustainability is a team effort.
From supplier policies to internal practices to tracking metrics, building a strong ESG foundation takes cross-functional collaboration. It can’t be siloed; it has to be embedded into how your organization operates. That’s how you get buy-in and deliver real outcomes.
2. Progress beats perfection.
You don’t have to be perfect to begin. EcoVadis helps highlight what’s working, where you’re improving, and what steps to take next. The badges aren’t about being the best, they’re about getting better, year after year.
3. The process itself adds value.
Completing the assessment reveals important truths about your organization beyond just the score. It pushes you to document processes, reflect on values, and take a hard look at how you operate — helping turn good intentions into better results.
Why This Matters for Our Clients
Our work with nonprofits, brands, public health organizations (and others) increasingly intersects with ESG. Whether we’re testing inclusive messaging, measuring impact, or helping clients articulate their commitments, our own EcoVadis journey deepens our understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face.
It helps us ask sharper questions, offer more grounded advice, and meet clients where they are, with insight, empathy, and practical support.
Final Thought
We don’t just advise on sustainability; we’re doing the work ourselves. That lived experience makes us better partners to the organizations we serve — especially those ready to move beyond box-checking and start telling real, value-driven stories about the future they’re building.
Ready to take your ESG strategy further? Let’s talk!
Southpaw Insights’ commitment to sustainability, validated through our EcoVadis assessment, equips us to help you navigate the complex landscape of environmental, social, and governance performance.
