Sustainability Consulting Firm ThisRock Earns EcoVadis Platinum

ThisRock has hit a new milestone, earning the EcoVadis Platinum Medal for Management Consulting Service Providers! We are humbled. This important certification places us in the top 1% of our industry, highlighting our dedication to sustainability and ethical business practices.

ThisRock’s EcoVadis Platinum achievement is good news for our own clients, too. We hope that they can feel confident that they are trusting a business that certifies itself in sustainability, and places importance on ethics, human rights and the environment. After all – we are in their supply chain.

Why did we do this?

We are excited to be EcoVadis certification consultants. EcoVadis is quickly becoming the go-to sustainability rating platform for the supply chain of some of the largest companies in North America, including Nestle, Staples, Google, General Motors, GNC, Bridgestone, and Pepsico. We also want to be sure that we better understand the way that sustainability ratings solutions score and analyze. Having had an assessment done on our own business helps inform our work with clients.

We want to lead by example. ThisRock tries everyday to make real change. We have helped dozens of businesses with policy writing, initiative development, baseline and target setting, and reporting. We have also educated 250 businesses on sustainable change. Our 3 year goal is to help 1,000 businesses and their 10,000 employees take simple steps toward sustainability over the next three years.

What is Ecovadis?

EcoVadis is a trusted global platform that evaluates companies’ sustainability performance across environmental, social, and ethical criteria. It provides a credible, comprehensive assessment that helps businesses improve and communicate their sustainability efforts. By earning the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, ThisRock showcases its commitment to excellence in sustainability and ethical practices.

ThisRock’s Journey to EcoVadis Platinum

Nothing is perfect. But – every step forward really does matter. Our journey has always been about more than just business moving toward sustainability. We are passionate about helping SMEs develop and implement effective plans. This score from EcoVadis is a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact.

The Spotlight On ThisRock’s 2024 EcoVadis Performance

• Overall Score: 82/100
  • Environment: 80/100
  • Labor & Human Rights: 80/100
  • Ethics: 90/100

ThisRock: Our Core Values

Attaining our own EcoVadis scorecard helps ThisRock better serve businesses like yours who are looking to get their first EcoVadis score, or hoping to get expert advice on improving their score for their next submission or reassessment. We have learned a lot over the years. Our values act as a north star in everything we do.

• Customized Solutions:
  • Tailoring our services to meet the unique sustainability needs of each client.
• Education and Awareness:
  • Empowering businesses and people with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about sustainability in their roles, and even in their personal lives.
• Supporting Clients:
  • Offering comprehensive support to help clients navigate their sustainability journeys. (AKA: Taking off the load)
• Making a Difference:
  • Creating impactful change through every project we undertake.
• Creativity:
  • Innovating new approaches to sustainability challenges.
• Transparency and Honesty:
  • We are committed to being open and truthful in all our interactions, ensuring that our clients always have a clear understanding of our processes and decisions.

How ThisRock Helps Companies Improve on EcoVadis: Our Blueprint

1.  Initial Consultation and Assessment

ThisRock gathers insights into your organizational goals, previous ESG efforts, and any certifications you might already hold. This initial engagement allows us to tailor our consulting to fit your specific needs and expectations, setting a clear baseline from which to progress.

2. Gap Analysis

We identify discrepancies and opportunities for enhancement by comparing your practices with the assessment criteria of EcoVadis and of industry benchmarks. This critical analysis helps prioritize areas that need immediate attention and those that can be developed over time, providing a clear path to elevate your EcoVadis rating.

3.  Strategy Development

Leveraging the insights gained from the gap analysis, we craft a customized strategy that aligns with both your business objectives and the EcoVadis evaluation framework. This plan includes actionable steps designed to fortify your sustainability initiatives and improve your ESG scoring potential.

4.  Implementation & Reporting

We provide hands-on support to help integrate sustainable actions into your day-to-day operations. We assist in engaging with stakeholders effectively and managing your ESG data to ensure accurate and comprehensive reporting. This phase ensures that all initiatives are correctly implemented and documented, reflecting your commitment to sustainability in your EcoVadis submission.

5. Assessment Preparation & Submission

Before the actual EcoVadis assessment, we conduct a mock evaluation to prepare you for the real process. This simulated assessment helps uncover any remaining gaps and fine-tunes your entry, ensuring that you are fully prepared. We then support you in compiling and submitting your final documentation to EcoVadis, ensuring that every detail is meticulously presented to optimize your rating potential.

6. Continuous Improvement

Our engagement does not end with the submission. We believe in building lasting sustainability. To this end, we continue to support you in monitoring your performance against EcoVadis criteria and adapting to any changes in standards or in your business environment. This ongoing process not only helps maintain a robust EcoVadis rating but also reinforces your commitment to continuous ESG excellence.

Our Clients: Heroes of Their Own Sustainability Stories

We’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Here are some highlights from our recent work:

1. TEAM Group:
   Guided their ESG strategy and achieved a Silver rating.
   Click here for their sustainability report.
   
2. Ingot Metal:
   Helped them secure an EcoVadis Gold rating.
   Click here for their sustainability report.
   
3. Crosslink Technology Inc:
   Supported their journey towards more sustainable practices and secured a Gold rating.
   Click here for their sustainability report.

ThisRock’s 2023 Sustainability Report: A Year in Review

ThisRock’s own sustainability journey is reflected in our 2023 Sustainability Report, where we outline our key initiatives, goals, and achievements. Here’s a glimpse:

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment

We are proud to align our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing particularly on:

SDG 13: Climate Action

Goal: Combat climate change by reducing emissions and promoting sustainability

Action: Conducted carbon footprint assessments for SMEs, guiding them in adopting energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices.

Continued Support: Expand carbon footprint initiatives, develop green partnerships, and advocate for climate-positive policies.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Goal: Promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace

Action: Supported young female professionals, developed inclusive workplace policies, and sponsored girls hockey programs to support females in sport. 

Continued Support: Increase outreach to female entrepreneurs, promote gender equality in supply chains, and raise up women and girls through championing and career support.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Goal: Foster innovation and sustainable industrial practices.

Action: Hosted sustainability + business workshops, provided sustainable business solutions, and connected businesses with industry experts. 

Continued Support: Assist with innovation grants, facilitate innovation hubs, and offer continuous learning programs on sustainability and technology.

Our Policies

ThisRock has established own very own policies that outline our operations across the main issues of sustainability:

• Environmental Policy: At ThisRock, we believe that small actions can lead to big changes. As a small team working from our home offices or co-work facilities, we’re committed to minimizing our environmental impact and doing our part to protect our species and our planet. This policy outlines how we approach sustainability in our everyday operations and our plans as we continue to grow. 
  
• Labour and Human Rights: ThisRock Inc. is dedicated to promoting and respecting human rights and labour standards in all our operations. As a sustainability firm, being “good” is our “jam!” Our policy is informed by the United Nations Global Compact, the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and Ontario employment laws for our location, industry, and size. We are committed to ensuring fair labor practices and protecting the rights of our employees and the communities we serve.
  
• Ethics: We believe in doing business the right way— honestly, transparently, and with integrity. Setting strong ethical foundations is key to our success and growth. This ethics policy is here to guide us in staying true to our values.

Our Commitments and Baselines

We’ve set ambitious targets to guide our sustainability efforts. Below is a snapshot of our key baselines and goals:

• Employee Health & Safety: Zero incidents in 2023; aiming to maintain this in 2024.
• Energy Consumption: 741 kWh in 2023 with a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 5% per employee by 2026.
• Waste Management: Achieved zero waste to landfill in 2023.

Additional Resources

ThisRock Base Camp

Stay on Top of ESG All Year: Our ThisRock Base Camp subscription is designed to keep our clients aligned with ESG goals throughout the year – after they have completed their first sustainability project with us. With Base Camp, you get ongoing support, regular updates, and personalized advice to ensure your sustainability initiatives stay on track. When needed, ThisRock can provide project quotes for specific ESG needs, such as annual reporting, questionnaire submission support, and other customized sustainability services. We aim to keep your business on the right track, satisfying customers, employees, bankers, and investors alike.

Interested in learning how your business can join Base Camp? Contact us.

Sustainability Committee

Empower Your Business with a Dedicated Sustainability Committee: We help businesses establish and run effective Sustainability Committees that drive both corporate and personal sustainability actions. These committees ensure that sustainability remains a priority at every level of your organization, fostering a culture of environmental and social responsibility.

Event Speaking

Engaging, Informative, and Action-Oriented: At ThisRock, we’re passionate about sharing our expertise. We frequently participate in speaking engagements to inspire and educate audiences on sustainability, ESG, and the importance of doing business ethically. Whether it’s a corporate event, workshop, or educational seminar, our talks are designed to leave a lasting impact and encourage action.

As the curtain falls on this exciting chapter, we are energized and ready for the next. Our EcoVadis Platinum Medal is not just a certification; it’s a testament to our hard work and dedication to a sustainable future. Here’s to continuing this journey together and making an even greater impact!

Thank you for being part of our story.