...And No One Wants to Talk About It!

A few months ago, I was on a call with a supply chain director from a multinational firm. They were tasked with driving ESG for Asia Pacific.

When I asked, “How are you tracking ESG progress across your operations here?” — the answer came after a long pause:

“To be honest, we’re not sure what to do.”

That pause tells you everything. This isn’t rare. The ESG goals are lofty. The press releases look great. But on the ground? Teams are unsure where to start, or worse — they’re unaware there's anything to start.

And yet, companies continue to make bold promises.

According to the 2023 Net Zero Stocktake by Oxford Net Zero and partners, 46% of the world’s largest 2,000 publicly listed companies have now set net zero targets-more than double the 21% that had such targets in late 2020.

But who’s translating that ambition into something actionable, say in Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia or locally away from the HQ?

In this issue, we discuss when global ESG commitments [sometimes known also as lofty goals] fail to turn into local supply chain action.

We’ll touch on:

🔹What’s driving the disconnect between headquarters and local teams

🔹The blind spots supply chain leaders miss

🔹5 barriers blocking execution — and what to do about them

🔹What can you do this quarter to move from talk to action

The Elephant in the Room

What’s driving the disconnect between HQ's and local teams?

Let’s call it what it is: misalignment.

Corporate sets bold ESG targets—net zero, zero waste, circular sourcing. But when it hits the factory floor or regional operations, the message completely fizzles out.

A report by Diligent Institute and Spencer Stuart highlights:

🔹 37% aim to balance global ESG frameworks with local realities.

🔹 35% push a one-size-fits-all approach.

🔹 16% are still figuring it out—especially in the U.S. and among smaller firms.

🔹 European companies are more likely to roll out consistent strategies, while smaller firms remain more fragmented in their approach.

Common Reasons for the Breakdown?

🔹One-size-fits-all strategies don’t translate to on-ground complexity.

🔹Metrics are top-down, often ignoring what’s actually measurable locally.

🔹Lack of ownership—local teams weren’t involved in shaping the targets.

🔹Poor communication—sustainability goals are stuck in PowerPoint decks.

🔹Pressure to deliver short-term results trumps long-term transformation.

Local teams are often left asking: “How does this apply to me?”

Unfortunately, there are no clear answers.

The Blind Spot: ESG Isn’t a Project, It’s a Practice

Many supply chain teams treat ESG like a separate box to tick, outside of core operations. That’s the first blind spot.

ESG isn’t something you “add on” — it has to be built into how you source, make, move, and measure things.

But too often:

🔹ESG goals are announced in HQ, but never arrive on the factory floor

🔹Local teams are not consulted — only expected to comply

🔹There is little clarity on how progress is measured locally

🔹Sustainability budgets are centralised, delaying execution

If it’s not operationalised, it won’t be prioritised.

The Top 5 Barriers Supply Chain Teams Face Today

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the barriers are real. Here are the top 5 I see across industries:

1. No local ownership - ESG goals are “someone else’s job,” usually someone in HQ.
2. Data doesn’t trickle down - Sites can’t act without knowing where they stand. Most don’t get the right data.
3. KPI's are misaligned - If your ops manager is measured only on cost and speed, sustainability won’t win.
4. Limited ESG literacy - Teams need training, not just toolkits.
5. Suppliers are left out - The complexity of multi-tier supplier networks often leaves them disengaged.

Nothing is Impossible: 5 Moves to Bring ESG to Life Locally

This is not about waiting for another playbook. Here’s what you can do this quarter:

1. Pilot in one country or site: Start small. One region. One product line.
2. Find a local ESG champion: Someone who understands operations and cares about impact.
3. Align one operational KPI with ESG: Energy cost savings, waste reduction, supplier compliance — pick one.
4. Upskill the team: A short ESG workshop can change how your site leaders think.
5. Engage suppliers early: Don’t surprise them with ESG audits. Bring them into the process upfront.

Ready to Turn Strategy into Action?

Most ESG failures were already highlighted — they happen because teams aren't equipped with the tools to act.

At B2G Academy, we're addressing this need with a customised 1-day masterclass tailored for supply chain professionals seeking practical solutions, not just theoretical frameworks

You’ll walk away with:

🔹A clear map of where your ESG blind spots are

🔹Practical ways to engage your local teams and suppliers

🔹A short, focused action plan to get things moving now

📌 It’s practical. It’s built for supply chain realities. And it works.

👉 Team up for real impact. Learn more or schedule a call with Jay Kostos .

Event Recap: Our First Sustainability in Supply Chain Professionals Meetup

What a kickoff! Our first live session in Singapore brought together sharp minds in supply chain—ready to turn sustainability from buzzword to business driver.

Joining forces with Shangari Manoharan (Michael Page) with our guest speaker Marcus LeMaster, P.Log. (Schneider Electric), the energy in the room was undeniable.

Marcus tackled the million-dollar question: How do you stay competitive and sustainable—without losing business value?

Top Takeaways:

🔹Sustainability and profit can work together

🔹Schneider’s playbook: real ESG results + cost wins

🔹Actionable tips to future-proof your supply chain

This is just the beginning. We’re building a bold community that doesn’t wait for change—they lead it.

Want in? Message me directly: Jay Kostos

My Take: The Strategy Isn’t Broken. The Execution Is.

There’s no shortage of ESG strategies. But the real work is getting them off the decks and into daily decisions, where real trade-offs happen.

If global commitments don’t come with local enablement, you’ll keep getting blank stares when you ask about ESG progress.

So — before your next strategy meeting, ask:

“Does anyone on the ground actually know what we committed to?”

Because what’s written in your report means nothing unless it’s working in your warehouse.

Remember, every step toward sustainability—no matter how small—adds up.