At bluegain, digital transformation, business model, and sustainable transformation goes hand in hand. As a technology and professional services company, we don’t just support others in their sustainability journeys; we are actively shaping our own. 2023 marked a significant milestone with the launch of our first ever Sustainability Report, a step toward greater transparency, accountability, and impact. 

ESG has evolved from a compliance exercise to a powerful driver of stakeholder and shareholder value. Yet many executives still view it through a narrow lens of risk mitigation, reducing ESG to a box-ticking reporting exercise devoid of strategic impact. At bluegain, we are convinced that there is a better way. Though we are a rapidly expanding company, our environmental footprint remains relatively modest. Yet we firmly believe every contribution counts. Leading organizations prioritize Impact-driven Transformation Programs, asking not just what is achieved, but how it creates real change. We take an entrepreneurial approach to ESG, focusing on opportunities that drive new behaviors and beliefs. We embody what we advocate: empowered ESG entrepreneurs and leaders. This mindset is central to our impact program, which repositions ESG as a tool to continuously assess and operationalize positive societal and environmental outcomes, while delivering on our core business. 

Sustainability is not just a principle we advocate for; it’s embedded in how we operate, collaborate, and innovate. This report reflects both where we stand today and how we plan to move forward, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainability transformation.

2023 Impact Recap: From Footprint to Handprint 

Our 2023 Sustainability Report serves as a foundation for informed action, focusing on two key dimensions: our footprint represents the direct environmental impact of our operations, and our handprint stands for the broader positive influence we generate by helping others transition to sustainable practices. 

Our footprint analysis highlighted four main areas: 

• Energy Consumption: Operating from a LEED Gold certified office with solar thermal systems, supplemented by plans to transition to renewable energy providers. 

• Travel & Transportation: Prioritizing train travel over flights, reducing international travel, and increasing the use of digital collaboration. 

• Electronic Devices: 78% of our company’s devices are refurbished, significantly reducing electronic waste. 

• Office Practices: Implementing a new recycling system while embracing paperless workflows. 

While minimizing our footprint remains vital, maximizing our handprint creates far greater impact. Based on the key principle of regeneration – creating a positive impact on socio-ecological systems – the concept of the handprint shifts the focus from merely reducing harm to actively contributing to the well-being of people and the planet.  By collaborating with clients and partners across the business ecosystem, we multiply our influence exponentially. When organizations adopt sustainable and circular practices at a scale, the ripple effects transform entire industries. Here’s how our handprint expanded in 2023: 

• Guided companies in integrating sustainability and circular economy principles into their business models, enabling smarter resource use and waste reduction. 

• Empowered leaders through the bluegain Academy, equipping them with the skills and frameworks to drive sustainability transformations within their organizations. 

• Engaged in social impact initiatives, such as marine conservation efforts, reinforcing that sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to include social responsibility. 

• Supported annual donations to organizations such as the Atoll Marine Center and Alzheimer’s Research Initiative, aligning with our broader commitment to positive societal change. 

• Published thought leadership on sustainability, sharing insights on the World Economic Forum platform to inform and inspire industry leaders. 

By fostering systemic change through partnerships and knowledge sharing, we aim to make sustainability not just an initiative, but an integral part of the value creation fabric of organizations and a fundamental driver of business transformation.

Our 2024 Sustainability Roadmap: Turning Ambitions into Actions 

Change doesn’t happen without a plan. For 2024, we have developed a structured approach to sustainability, addressing the key levers identified in our footprint analysis: 

• Energy Consumption: Expanding the transition to renewable energy providers and optimizing office energy efficiency. 

• Travel & Transportation: Further reducing air travel, promoting train travel, and strengthening virtual collaboration capabilities. 

• Electronic Devices: Maintaining a high proportion of refurbished technology while establishing responsible end of life device management practices. 

• Office Practices: Rolling out a comprehensive recycling system and reinforcing strict paper use policies. 

We also recognize that reducing our footprint alone is not enough. To amplify our handprint, we are expanding our sustainability offerings, from guiding ESG transformation programs to enhancing carbon accounting with IT solutions. Digital solutions enable sustainable IT transformation– from circular design and asset lifecycle management to AI-driven repair optimization and smart refurbishment programs. Additionally, we continue to support nature conservation efforts and social initiatives, reinforcing sustainability as both an environmental and societal imperative. 

Carbon offsetting remains a component of our broader strategy. While we prioritize emissions reduction, we have partnered with Gold Standard to support verified projects in renewable energy such as wind and solar farms in Brazil, India, and Pakistan that not only cut emissions but also contribute to education, healthcare, and local economic development.

Key Takeaways: Lessons for Sustainable Business Transformation 

• Sustainability is a leadership issue. Companies that embed sustainability into their strategy don’t just reduce risk; they unlock new opportunities for innovation and long-term growth. 

• Balancing footprint and handprint matters. Reducing environmental impact is critical, but organizations must also consider how they create broader positive systemic impact. 

• Technology is a key enabler. AI, carbon accounting platforms, and digital collaboration tools turn sustainability ambitions into measurable actions, while critically assessing trade-offs, like the environmental impact of AI itself. 

• Partnerships drive impact. No company transforms in isolation, collaboration across industries and ecosystems accelerates meaningful change.
  

A Call for Collective Action 

Our sustainability journey is ongoing, and we are committed to making each step count. As a rapidly growing company, we have seen firsthand that impact is not measured by size but by the boldness of ideas and the strategic actions taken to realize them. 

We invite business leaders to explore their own sustainability strategies not just as a compliance exercise, but to drive resilience and value creation. The sustainability leaders of tomorrow are the ones who take decisive steps today. 

As we continue our journey, we hope our 2023 Sustainability Report offers both transparency and inspiration– demonstrating how even small companies can drive meaningful change. 

One innovation, one decision, one transformation at a time– this is how the future is shaped. We welcome your reflections and ideas as we move forward together. 

 / About the Author

• Mara Garcia de Juan is Sustainability Transformation Associate at bluegain, helping companies transition to sustainable practices and promote long-term environmental and social responsibility. With experience in various sectors including fashion sustainability, sustainable logistics and the organic food industry, she specializes in regenerative business models, living systems thinking and natural resource management. She studied at the Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences and earned several certificates, including Blockchain at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.