Corporate sustainability is shifting from bold promises to real accountability. From B Lab’s revocation of a B Corp certification over fossil fuel ties to Denver’s greener schoolyards and the CDC/NOAA HeatRisk tool, this week highlights the tension between ESG reporting, genuine action, and climate resilience.

From extreme indoor heat in Britain to garment workers facing rising risks in Asia, heat stress is emerging as a global social sustainability challenge. Meanwhile, the LA 2028 Olympics are planning a “no car” model for sustainable hosting, and new studies show the unexpected role of trees in reducing methane. Here are the key shifts in social, environmental, and corporate responsibility this week.

Buildings don’t get ESG scores—but they’re absolutely being evaluated through an ESG lens. From energy use to labor practices, governance to community impact, projects are under increasing scrutiny. Certifications like LEED and WELL help quantify progress, but the real value lies in how buildings serve people, planet, and long-term resilience.

Most impact reports fail before they begin—not because of weak data or design, but because teams never define the purpose. An effective report isn’t just a glossy PDF, it’s a strategic tool that influences behavior, wins credibility, and shapes the future. Done right, your impact report becomes more than compliance—it becomes a catalyst.

Getting WELL (or any building certification) is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. Certifications validate performance, yet they don’t automatically create connection or culture. The real work is translating technical specs into lived experiences people can feel, understand, and value—turning metrics into meaning.

Fair labor isn’t just an ethical checkbox—it’s the foundation of true sustainability. Without safe, respected, and fairly compensated workers, even the most advanced green innovations collapse. Liveable’s Thrive Pyramid offers leaders a framework to connect climate action with social sustainability, ensuring fair labor practices drive resilience and impact.

Net-zero strategies often focus on emissions, renewable energy, and infrastructure. But without protecting the workers who make these goals possible, progress can stall. Climate risks—heat stress, injuries, inequality—are already impacting frontline workers. Building resilience into workforce strategies is the critical missing factor for achieving true sustainability.

Fear of Finding Out (FOFO) isn’t just a personal bias—it’s stalling business strategy. Leaders often avoid audits, surveys, or assessments because they fear confirming bad news. But this hesitation carries huge costs, from supply chain risks to employee disengagement. The flip? Reframe data not as “finding problems” but as “getting ahead.”

Think about a window or a bag of cement—each one may pass through several countries and countless workers before it reaches your site. Along the way, fair labor practices can be lost. This blog lays out a practical guide to ethical sourcing in construction—from setting clear goals and verifying supplier claims to giving workers a voice and creating a culture of care within your company. Fair labor isn’t just a moral choice—it’s smart business. Learn how transparency, responsibility, and human dignity can strengthen your supply chain and future-proof your brand.

Fair labor isn’t just an ethical checkbox—it’s the foundation of truly sustainable projects. In this powerful edition of The Impact Edit, Gayathri Unnikrishnan introduces the Thrive Pyramid, a framework that challenges AEC leaders to rethink how labor practices intersect with climate action, ESG, and supply chain strategy. If you’ve been focusing on solar panels and green certifications, it’s time to zoom in on the people building that future.