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Friendly lessons from me, Mike Smith - founder, CEO, and your resident sustainability translator here at Aclymate - on how we can measure, reduce, and report our climate impact together.
I’m genuinely glad you’re here. This little corner of the internet is where I break down the big stuff, share stories from the field, and offer simple actions that make sustainability feel doable - not daunting - for every kind of business.
In one of my latest Substack essays, I talked about what I call “the infrastructure of democracy” - institutions built for the 20th century that are crumbling under 21st-century challenges. And honestly, the same can be said for the infrastructure of sustainability.
Too many companies that once started ambitious sustainability and ESG initiatives are now crumbling under the current administration’s position, pressure, and political overhang. Their efforts stall, not because they don’t care about the climate, but because the environment for progress feels uncertain or even hostile.
Here’s the truth: this is exactly when leadership matters most.
The “big game” isn’t about the rally, the pledge, or the press release - it’s about the daily actions that move emissions, investments, and culture forward.
At Aclymate, I believe the same principle applies to climate action:
“No war is won without an army. Armies are made of individuals, all making their best decisions in the moment.” - from my essay, A Big Rally Isn’t the Big Game
So this month, I want to encourage every business - from CPG to professional services - to get off the sidelines and get in the game.
If you haven’t already built your company’s first carbon inventory, it’s easier than you think.
Need help? Read our guide: How to Start Your Company’s Carbon Inventory
If you’ve heard folks tossing around “SBTi” and nodded while secretly Googling it later — you’re not alone.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is the gold standard for validating corporate climate targets and confirming they’re aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway.
Learn more: SBTi Validation Process Explained
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One of my favorite recent stories comes from Whitestone, a leading promotional products and branded merchandise agency based in New York. They’ve long helped their clients elevate brand experiences through creative, sustainable solutions - and now they’re walking the talk internally.
When Whitestone decided to align their own operations with science-based climate goals, they partnered with Aclymate to calculate emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, design SBTi-aligned targets, and automate their tracking process. Within months, they achieved SBTi validation, measured over 4,053metric tons of carbon, and strengthened their credibility as a sustainability-focused industry leader.
“What stood out most was the combination of automation, transparency, and guidance - it gave us confidence that we weren’t just calculating our impact but taking real action to reduce it.” - Tejal Makuck, Director of Strategic Operations, Whitestone Branding
This one’s been a long time coming — and I’m thrilled to share it.
Aclymate is officially integrating with Plaid, which means your financial data can now flow directly (and securely) from your bank into your Aclymate account.
What does that mean for you?
Speed. Accuracy. And honestly… relief.
Instead of chasing receipts, exporting CSVs, or guessing which expenses count toward your carbon footprint, you’ll be able to pull in verified transaction data in seconds. That means your carbon accounting starts with cleaner inputs — and you get to spend your time on decisions, not data wrangling.
More automation. Less friction. Instant sustainability clarity.
Included with your subscription now.
In another recent post, Kimmel the Climate, Mike Smith reminded us that economic decisions often move faster than regulations.
When 1.7 million people canceled subscriptions in protest, corporations changed course within a week - because money moves mountains.
In sustainability, it’s the same: procurement choices, supplier contracts, and consumer preferences drive the transition faster than legislation alone.
Your next purchase order can be a climate action.
Read: Carbon Accounting vs. ESG Reporting - What’s the Difference?
Talk to Us: Book a Demo
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