Storm Outside, Sparks Inside: Highlights from the Sustainability 2.0 Summit
The inaugural Sustainability 2.0 Summit wasn’t your average gathering -- and not just because of the Nor’easter raging outside. Inside, the unconference crackled with energy. Ideas flowed. Perspectives collided. Conversations sparked action.
In true unconference style, we built the day’s agenda together, in real time. Each participant brought their own questions, insights, and urgency. The result? A day that reflected the full complexity -- and promise -- of the climate transition.
To everyone who showed up despite the storm: thank you. You helped build something powerful. And to those who couldn’t make it, here’s a glimpse of what emerged -- and where corporate sustainability leadership is headed next.
12 Emerging Themes in Corporate Sustainability
These themes weren’t pre-selected -- they were surfaced, shaped, and sharpened by the people in the room. Together, they reflect the breadth and depth of where sustainability is going. Also, view our video highlights reel featuring insights from corporate sustainability leaders.
Scope 3 Emissions & Supply Chain Decarbonization
How do you measure what you don’t control? Organizations are grappling with engaging suppliers, tracking emissions across vast networks, and aligning incentives for real change across the value chain.- AI & Technology for Climate Action
AI is revolutionizing carbon tracking, scenario modeling, and decision-making. But it also comes with its own footprint. Leaders discussed not just the potential, but also the responsibility, of deploying tech for good. 
Business Models & Climate Finance
Transitioning to net zero isn’t just a technical challenge -- it’s a financial one. Discussions explored how capital flows, incentive structures, and evolving accounting standards can align sustainability with long-term profitability.- Behavior, Mindsets & Communication
You can’t engineer culture change -- but you can influence it. Participants shared strategies for internal engagement, narrative-building, and moral framing to galvanize action and cut through noise and misinformation. 
Built Environment & Transportation Decarbonization
From energy-intensive factories to municipal fleets, this track tackled decarbonization at the physical level: circularity, retrofitting, and strategies to cut operational waste in complex environments.- ESG Strategy & Organizational Influence
The ESG function is shifting -- from compliance to transformation. Sessions explored how sustainability teams are embedding climate goals into product roadmaps, R&D, and even company culture. 
Public Sector, Policy & Governance
Many regions have ambitious climate goals -- but ambition is meaningless without execution. Leaders discussed what’s working, how to build community support, and ways to accelerate implementation at scale.- Resilience, Risk & Adaptation
With climate disruptions mounting, companies are moving from reactive to proactive. Risk assessments, systems thinking, and adaptive supply chains are becoming cornerstones of future-ready organizations. 
Food Systems & Waste Reduction
Food waste isn’t just a kitchen problem -- it’s a systems problem. From biotech labs to corporate campuses, leaders explored tangible ways to cut waste and improve efficiency across the value chain.- Equity, Community & Just Transition
The net zero transition must also be a fair one. Conversations focused on lifting up underrepresented voices, ensuring access to solutions, and designing policies that create shared value across communities. 
Nature, Biodiversity & Ecological Connection
Sustainability isn't just about carbon. Participants emphasized the need to reconnect business strategy with the natural systems we depend on -- from preserving biodiversity to respecting planetary boundaries.- Climate Strategy, Measurement & Procurement
Data is the backbone of credibility. Attendees explored approaches to emissions tracking, collective procurement (e.g., RECs, offsets), and cross-sector collaboration to scale high-impact solutions.
What Made It Different
Throughout the day, participants kept returning to one shared sentiment: this felt different.
“This wasn’t just a conference. It was a space for candid conversation. I came away energized, connected, and ready to act.”
“The unconference format made all the difference. We weren’t listening to pre-set panels—we were shaping the agenda based on what mattered most to us.”
“In typical conferences, you wait until the end of a panel to rush the speakers. Here, the whole day was built around engaging with each other—and solving real problems together.”
“Despite the Nor’easter outside, it felt like we created a warm, purpose-driven space inside. That energy was contagious.”
A Few Aha Moments
Many attendees shared moments that stuck with them:
“The conversations around AI and climate were eye-opening. There’s so much potential—but also complexity in its footprint and governance.”
“Hearing others grapple with the same questions I face in my work was incredibly validating. We may work in different sectors, but we’re tackling the same core challenges.”
“The discussion on risk really drove home how critical systems thinking is. You can’t tackle one problem in isolation—you need to map interconnections.”
“One topic that hit home was how to make sustainability practical for smaller suppliers. It’s not just about mandates—it’s about building capacity across the ecosystem.”
The Year Ahead
The conversations didn’t end when the storm let up. If anything, they ignited something lasting.
“What stood out was the sense of momentum. People left wanting to keep this energy going—to keep connecting, collaborating, and pushing the work forward.”
“There’s a real opportunity here to build a community—not just an event. A place for sustained conversations, shared learning, and mutual support.”
