Sebastian Philipps
dialog[at]betterearth.partners
With Impact First Entrepreneurship, we bring the future economy within reach. To do this, we show ways in which companies can operate profitably within planetary boundaries while respecting human needs. We accompany companies in taking their path to the future economy. And we support investors in deciding where to invest and how to transform their portfolio companies.
Impact first means operating in an ecologically safe and socially just manner, while, of course, being economically successful. How is that done? That’s what we work with our partners to define along an established methodology; specifically tailored to their company and on a normative, strategic and operational level. In doing so, we focus on specific entrepreneurial decisions on all three levels. Decisions that determine a company’s impact on the world and its own future viability.
We carry out your materiality analysis pragmatically, CSRD-compliant and with reference to strategy. We find out which sustainability aspects are important and urgent for you along your value chain and why (e.g., biodiversity, discrimination, lobbying). Applying the concept of "double materiality", we consider the impact of your economic activity on the world – and the impact of sustainability issues on your company and its supply chain (e.g., the impact of climate change on your supply chain).
Materiality assessment for renewable energy growth company as a kick-off for sustainability strategy development.
We determine to which extent your company, association, or city has integrated sustainability into its structures, processes and competence profiles in order to successfully deal with material issues, today and in the future. Normative, strategic, and operational.
Perform a free assessment yourself. To the Assessment
Using a standardized, quantitative assessment methodology, we conduct due diligences (DD) on the sustainability performance of companies, potential M&A targets or investment/venturing candidates. We look at the core business contribution to society, the management of ESG risks along the supply chain and the organizational integration of sustainability.
Perform a free assessment yourself. To the Assessment
Supported Cadence Growth Capital to establish a robust ESG DD approach and performed ESG DDs on investment targets.
We translate your material issues into action areas. We turn your ambitions into create concrete targets and corresponding indicators (e.g., in the form of quantitative science-based climate target, or a set of indicators measuring occupational health and safety).
Together we define who needs to do what and when in order to achieve your sustainability ambitions. In doing so, we keep both commercial impact and company capabilities in mind.
Defined strategic initiatives for a family office in order to further a portfolio company’s development along existing sustainability goals.
We make the sustainability impact of different strategic decisions comparable. In doing so, we evaluate the contribution to society, risks in the value chain and the integration of sustainability in the organization.
We establish a pragmatic approach to comparably assess the sustainability of your products or services. Together we integrate this new capability into relevant processes e.g., in innovation management. Thereby, we enable you to set realistic goals for your portfolio, transform the portfolio to achieve them, and communicate goals as well as progress.
We integrate your sustainability priorities into routine purchasing decisions. E.g., harnessing raw material footprints, training staff, introducing a carbon shadow price or creating transparency on supply chain emissions.
We support you in making HR the driver of sustainability transformation. Together with HR, we identify leaders and teams critical to sustainability success, review their competency profiles, and identify cultural hurdles that make it difficult for them to implement sustainability on a day-to-day basis. We close competency gaps through customized training. Together with our partner Remotly we support overcoming cultural hurdles.
We support the integration of non-financial key figures into finance and controlling and thus into the backbone of your company. For this purpose, we define key figures, propose process changes and (software) tools, and support internal coordination.
Designed a pilot project that tests the integration of relevant sustainability topics into investment controlling.
Ecologically safe business management should take the planetary boundaries for climate, biodiversity, land use, oceans and freshwater into account. Circular economy offers approaches to do so. Integrating circular economy approaches into business model and product innovation, for example, also helps identify new business opportunities. Setting science-based targets as well as integrating planetary boundaries into strategic and operational levels of management, helps to ensure that ecologically safe business practices are substantiated and ambitious goals rather than just empty promises.
We identify opportunities to leverage the circular economy for the success of your business. This involves circular business models, circular products, and building circular capabilities and partnerships. Together, we assess the environmental and commercial impact of these opportunities for action, make a selection and define a roadmap for implementation.
We identify, evaluate and establish new circular economy business models with you. Alternatively, we further develop your existing business model. Together we design a profitable, scalable and ecologically effective response to real market needs. Starting points are e.g., the closing of material cycles or the extension of life cycles.
We support you in the development of circular products. We identify factual and perceived sustainability advantages and disadvantages of product ideas. We accompany or lead the collection of initial feedback from the market on new product concepts. Based on market demand and regulation, we estimate the potential net environmental impact of new products in the market.
We classify which raw material is fitting for your circular economy approach. We interpret results of existing Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) or suggest LCAs if needed. We review particularly critical aspects of raw material chains in depth and estimate the expected impact on product sustainability and in the market.
Estimated net sustainability impact of a new raw material in a target market for a consumer goods company. Modeled the substitution of other raw materials in specific market positions.
We work with you to determine which new capacities, partnerships or technologies are promising for achieving your goals. We accompany you through implementation, e.g., in the initiation, design and negotiation of partnerships.
We review your existing business models for their compliance with a 1.5° decarbonization pathway. In case of deviations, we improve or redevelop your business model. To do this, we take into account the entire value chain necessary for the functioning of your future business model.
Quantified the potential decarbonization contribution by digital solutions and the corresponding business opportunity for the digital industry for an industry association.
Philipp Buddemeier at Accenture
We support you in designing products that are in line with the 1.5°C target and your decarbonization pathway. To do this, we evaluate raw materials, logistics and production systems, as well as expected end of life scenarios.
We find the best way to make your company climate neutral. The best path is commercially successful and enables effective decarbonization. To do this, we identify and evaluate possible measures, define milestones, and jointly determine a detailed program for the next 12 months. In connection with your climate strategy, we also review the prerequisites for successful implementation and recommend supporting measures such as training.
Reviewed and improved the existing climate protection program for a growth company with a large scope 3 emissions share.
Co-facilitated an ideation sprint to identify and evaluate circular economy inspired business opportunities for an industrial equipment manufacturer.
We support you in setting a science-based climate target according to the standards of the Science Based Targets Initiative SBTi. We consider all scopes (1, 2 and 3) and also check if and under which conditions the set target is really achievable for your company. This may also include a cost estimate (CAPEX / OPEX).
Reviewed and further developed a manufacturing company's science-based climate goal in light of business opportunities and regulatory developments.
Compared the climate ambitions of different e-commerce vendors and estimated their relative relevance for an online retailer.
We accompany you in the establishment of a sustainable resilient energy supply. To do this, we review your current plans and propose a program of commercially viable and environmentally effective changes. In doing so, we consider the current market design, technology offerings, and price structure. Further, we work with concrete expectations of how regulation and technical options will change by 2030.
We review how the selection of certain raw materials, production technology, transport options or other business decisions affect the climate footprint of the overall company or products. In doing so, we involve your external partner companies (e.g., suppliers) if necessary and find solutions for missing data.
Einbindung der Rohstoffzulieferer in die Dekarbonisierungsstrategie eines deutschen Automobilherstellers.
* Sebastian Philipps und Philipp Buddemeier bei Accenture
We support you in the correct handling of Carbon Footprints (climate footprints). We clarify where a carbon footprint makes sense and where it does not. We calculate specific footprints for you or help you find the right provider for standard calculations and classify results.
Created the personal footprint (climate + additional dimensions) for a business owner and provided recommendations for reduction measures.
Provided the interpretation of carbon footprints of raw materials for a consumer goods manufacturer in the context of market entry and innovation decisions.
We enable executives to recognize and realize their potential contribution to decarbonization. We create a common basis in content-related training courses. In our climate workshop, we identify gaps in climate management and jointly define an action program. To do this, we survey your company's executives via online questionnaires and interviews and compare your status quo in a workshop together against a qualified sample of almost 60 companies.
We analyze your impact on water reservoirs along your value chain and identify areas where action is needed. We support you in setting water targets and jointly derive the essential improvement programs.
Contributed to science-based water target methodology for the Science-based Target Network.
We support you in making the topic of biodiversity tangible for your company. To do this, we create a common understanding of biodiversity, identify the most important interdependencies along your value chain, define a roadmap, and support communication.
Evaluated the environmental impact of new materials including the effect on water and biodiversity for a German mid-cap company.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals provide guidance on the topic while the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and other legal documents specify the due diligence requirements for companies. We not only analyze the implication of legal changes on your company but also support you in strengthening commitment, building competence, establishing processes and communicating your stance.
We support you in meeting your due diligence obligations along the supply chain in accordance with the relevant legislation and in fulfilling this obligation in a value-creating manner. To this end, we identify relevant supply chain risks. We ensure that these risks and ways to influence them are known internally. In addition, we establish pragmatic processes for regular risk management reviews and mechanisms to respond consistently in the event of violations. We also review the findings of such risk analysis for their value in commercially relevant areas such as product innovation and communication.
We help you understand who you pay what throughout the supply chain and the effects of such payment levels. We support you in setting living wage targets. Together, we establish a grievance mechanism and define responses in the event of proven violations.
We help you understand where and how discrimination can occur in your supply chain, set goals to prevent discrimination, ensure responses to violations and promote diversity and inclusion.
We support you in becoming an attractive and safe supplier, employer and client. To do this, we identify relevant influences on health and well-being along your value chain, define meaningful goals, and derive an action plan to close gaps. This can include compliance aspects as well as impulses for product innovation and communication.
Reviewed the ambitions and identification of suitable indicators for occupational health and safety for a manufacturing company.
Integrated the topics of health and well-being into the evaluation approach for products of a consumer goods manufacturer.
Together, we define what corporate digital responsibility means in your company context and what action needs to be taken. To do this, we identify data-rich activities driven by digital technologies along your value chain and describe associated risks. Together with the responsible executives, we define guardrails for dealing with data and technologies (e.g., when using artificial intelligence) and derive a roadmap for closing gaps. We also make the findings usable for value-creating activities, e.g., in product development.
Sebastian Philipps
dialog[at]betterearth.partners
Why we work together:
Many people in large organizations want to act more sustainably. However, they often do not know how to translate this enthusiasm into daily decisions. Clear goals, guardrails, and incentive schemes help, but they need to go hand in hand with lasting enablement of teams and individuals. Together with Remotly, we offer this enablement in a way that avoids the common and often expensive “flash in the pan.” We deliver effective, cost-conscious, and thus scalable support.
About remotly:
remotly systematically and measurably shifts business areas with 20 to 100+ teams to new levels of purpose-orientation, empowerment, and sustainability competency in 3-9 months through remote team coaching on the job.
Why we work together:
Many people in large organizations want to act more sustainably. However, they often do not know how to translate this enthusiasm into daily decisions. Clear goals, guardrails, and incentive schemes help, but they need to go hand in hand with lasting enablement of teams and individuals. Together with Remotly, we offer this enablement in a way that avoids the common and often expensive “flash in the pan.” We deliver effective, cost-conscious, and thus scalable support.
About remotly:
remotly systematically and measurably shifts business areas with 20 to 100+ teams to new levels of purpose-orientation, empowerment, and sustainability competency in 3-9 months through remote team coaching on the job.