The Opportunity

Translating High-Level Net Zero Ambitions into Structured Corporate Progress

For purpose-led consultancies, walking the talk on sustainability is the ultimate test of market credibility. AG Impact committed to maximising its positive environmental influence, designing its environmental strategy to align with globally recognised gold-standard frameworks like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and EcoVadis.

However, translating ambitious green intent against the rigorous, data-heavy, and often SME-unfriendly requirements of international standards requires specialised technical rigour. AG Impact therefore sought a trusted technical partner to validate, challenge, and strengthen their ongoing climate strategy.

The Commercial Value

"Over the past three years, our strong, trust-based partnership with Green Business has flourished. Our collaboration strengthens our internal ESG strategy and certification expertise. It provides us with the essential support to continuously improve our environmental impact while helping our own clients enhance theirs."

- Lynne Ashcroft Griffiths, Founder and CEO, AG Impact

The Challenge

Navigating Framework Complexity and Unlocking the Scope 3 Supply Chain

As AG Impact grew, so did the technical complexity of their environmental tracking. Melissa Penn, Environmental Impact Manager, took on the challenge of leading multi-layered reporting frameworks and designing a comprehensive supplier engagement programme. The initial task lay in translating dense industry requirements to establish an exceptionally precise carbon emissions baseline.

The scope broadened as AG Impact expanded its strategy to address Scope 3 emissions - the indirect footprint embedded within their supply chain. Managing emissions beyond direct operational control requires significant supplier buy-in. AG Impact envisioned a holistic supplier journey covering carbon, social, and ethical impact, but needed technical support to measure supplier footprints, demystify data collection, and ensure smooth supplier adoption without administrative friction.

The Approach

Collaborative Expertise, Data Validation, and Joint Supplier Support

Green Business joined forces with AG Impact, serving as a technical sounding board and validation partner to support AG Impact's strategy:

• Emissions Re-Baselining & Strategy Validation: We reviewed AG Impact's carbon calculations, refining their baseline to ensure complete alignment with strict SBTi standards and clarifying their strategic roadmap.
• Practical Framework Integration: We provided technical guidance to help AG Impact seamlessly embed manageable carbon reduction workflows into their operations.
• Joint Supplier Engagement & Carbon Footprinting: While AG Impact led and developed the overarching supplier engagement programme encompassing social, ethical, and environmental impact, Green Business co-facilitated interactive workshops for 21 key suppliers. We measured supplier carbon footprints, demystified data tracking, and helped suppliers align their actions with AG Impact's net zero goals.
• Capability Building: Through continuous knowledge transfer, Green Business helped build AG Impact's internal confidence and expertise, directly enhancing their ability to deliver sustainability services to their own clients.

The Impact

Accelerated Net Zero Targets, Capability Growth, and 100% Supplier Alignment

To date, the three year collaborative partnership has transformed AG Impact's technical reporting, establishing them as a benchmark for SME sustainability while scaling their internal capabilities.

• Rapid Milestone Achievements: Guided by a validated strategy, AG Impact successfully eliminated its direct Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions six years ahead of its original SBTi target date.
• Comprehensive Supply Chain Alignment: 100% of the engaged suppliers were successfully onboarded through AG Impact's holistic programme, receiving tailored action plans and technical footprint support to kickstart their own reduction journeys.
• Elite Independent Validation: AG Impact secured a top-tier EcoVadis Platinum Medal.
• Expanded Client Services: By strengthening their internal capability alongside Green Business, AG Impact further elevated the expertise and sustainability services they deliver to their own client base.

The Partnership

What It's Like to Work with Green Business

"Carbon measurement and reporting can feel overwhelming when you first get started. As we developed and implemented our environmental strategy, Green Business became a trusted partner, providing expert guidance, challenge and reassurance whenever we needed it. Their practical approach helped us build confidence in our decisions, make sense of complex requirements and ensure we were on the right track.

It's been reassuring to know we can reach out with a complex question and receive clear, honest advice. Beyond the technical expertise, they've worked alongside us to support our supplier engagement programme and strengthen our sustainability. The partnership has played an important role in helping us continually improve our environmental performance and further develop the services we offer to our own clients."

- Melissa Penn, Environmental Impact Manager, AG Impact