Making ESG Work at Scale: A Design Thinking Playbook for ESG Transformation

As organisations increasingly embrace ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governanc e) as a strategic imperative, it becomes essential to move beyond high-level commitments and into practical implementation. But while many set ESG targets, few know how to bring them to life in a meaningful, measurable, and scalable way.

Just like innovation or digital transformation, ESG success demands more than good intentions — it requires a thoughtful process. This is where Design Thinking becomes a powerful ally. By applying a structured, human-centred approach to ESG strategy, organisations can navigate complexity, align stakeholders, and drive real-world impact.

At the heart of this approach lies the 5C Framework: Commit, Create, Collaborate, Communicate, Continue — a practical blueprint to embed ESG into the DNA of an organisation, with the workplace as a key enabler.

Step 1: COMMIT

Define What Matters Most

The ESG journey must begin with clarity of purpose. But when ESG encompasses a wide variety of factors—carbon emissions, DEI, ethical governance, digital responsibility, biodiversity—where does one begin?

This is where Materiality Assessment comes into play. It helps organisations identify ESG topics that are:

Most relevant to the organisation’s business strategy,
Most important to internal and external stakeholders,
Most likely to affect long-term value creation.

By conducting stakeholder mapping using tools like the Power-Interest Grid, companies can prioritise concerns based on influence and engagement levels. For example:

A manufacturing company may prioritise emissions, raw material sourcing, and occupational health.
An IT services firm might focus on data privacy, e-waste, and employee retention.

The result of this stage is a clear Corporate ESG Ambition, often expressed through SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ESG goals, for example:

Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 45% by 2030 (from a 2020 baseline).
Achieve Net Zero aligned with science-based targets.
Establish gender-diverse leadership by 2030.

Step 2: CREATE

Strategise, Structure, and Set the Course

Once a company is committed, it must architect the roadmap for action. This involves:

Defining roles and responsibilities across the organisation.
Forming a cross-functional steering committee to oversee ESG execution.
Aligning strategies with growth plans and emerging regulatory landscapes.

Key deliverables at this stage include:

ESG Strategy: Integrated plans addressing prioritised issues (e.g., circular economy programs, green buildings, inclusive hiring).
ESG Metrics: Quantifiable indicators that track ESG performance (e.g., GHG per revenue unit, gender parity ratios).

These metrics must be tailored to the company’s business model and industry context, with enough flexibility to evolve.

Step 3: COLLABORATE

Engage Stakeholders and Co-Create Solutions

True ESG transformation cannot happen in isolation. It requires multi-level collaboration across departments, supply chains, and ecosystems.

For example:

To reach a Net Zero target, companies might explore renewable energy options. This involves comparing solutions, analysing financial models, and co-developing roll-out plans.
For sustainable procurement, businesses must audit vendors, align them with ESG guidelines, and track performance across geographies.

This stage is often exploratory, requiring feedback loops, co-creation, and adaptive thinking to balance innovation with operational feasibility.

Step 4: COMMUNICATE

Build Trust Through Transparency

Transparent and consistent communication is the glue that holds ESG efforts together. This involves:

Establishing robust data management systems (via SaaS platforms or tailored spreadsheets) to track ESG data.
Standardising ESG disclosures based on globally accepted frameworks and standards, such as:
- Frameworks: Provide principles on how to structure and organise disclosures (e.g., TCFD, GRI).
- Standards: Provide specifics on what to disclose (e.g., SASB, IFRS S1 & S2 developed by ISSB).

External stakeholders, such as investors, rely on ESG Risk Scores from agencies like MSCI, Refinitiv, and Bloomberg. These scores provide snapshots of a company’s ESG profile, often influencing investment and partnership decisions.

Step 5: CONTINUE

Monitor, Evaluate, and Evolve

ESG is not a destination—it’s an ongoing journey. Organisations must:

Monitor year-on-year progress across ESG KPIs.
Evaluate the effectiveness, costs, and impact of their strategies.
Benchmark performance against industry peers and global best practices.

Based on findings, strategies should be refined, expanded, or replaced. This iterative review ensures that ESG goals remain aligned with business evolution and external expectations.

Another critical step is third-party verification or assurance, which enhances credibility, reduces reputational risks, and strengthens stakeholder trust. Typically used ESG assurance standards are AA1000AS by AccountAbility and ISSA 5000 by International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.

Final Thoughts

The challenges posed by ESG integration and implementation are multifaceted, ranging from regulatory uncertainty to operational inertia. But by adopting a Design Thinking mindset, organisations can navigate the ESG maze with agility and purpose. The 5C framework helps companies:

Break down complexity,
Engage creatively with stakeholders,
Design scalable solutions,
Communicate impact credibly,
And continuously improve over time.

As ESG continues to shape the future of business, embedding it into the organisational core with a design-first approach is no longer optional—it’s a competitive and ethical imperative.

Meet Your Strategic ESG Ally

With cross-disciplinary teams spanning design, engineering, sustainability, and construction, we, at Space Matrix, don’t just create workspaces — we design strategic assets that align with your long-term business and ESG goals.

Explore how a strategically designed office can help meet your decarbonisation targets, boost stakeholder trust, and create lasting business value.

Talk to our experts to turn your ESG strategy into space-driven impact.