Where should sustainability sit?
Sustainability teams report into nearly every part of the organization, from finance and legal to procurement, marketing, and even the CEO. But how much does reporting structure really affect what sustainability teams can accomplish?
This guide draws on direct insights from Optera clients working within a wide range of organizational structures. We analyzed their experiences, mapped broader industry trends, and distilled the common pros, cons, and practical strategies that can make or break your success.
Inside the report:
- The most common departments sustainability teams report into
- How structure can help (or hinder) emissions work, data access, and strategic influence
- Which reporting lines tend to work best for different types of organizations
- Tactical tips to help your team thrive—no matter where you sit
Whether you’re a team of one or leading an enterprise-wide ESG program, this guide will help you navigate structure, maximize influence, and make progress on your sustainability goals.