Integrating sustainability into ERM: Insights from the Inclus webinar
As organizations face increasing regulatory pressure and stakeholder expectations, aligning sustainability efforts with enterprise risk management (ERM) creates both strategic clarity and operational efficiency.
In our latest webinar, “Integrating sustainability into ERM with digital tools,” we explored this important intersection with Hasib Nasirullah, seasoned sustainability consultant at Sodali & Co, and Mikaeli Langinvainio, CEO and co-founder of Inclus.
The discussion offered strategic insights and practical takeaways for building a future-proof approach to risk and sustainability by exploring regulatory drivers, organizational challenges, and the benefits of aligning ERM with double materiality assessments.
Why sustainability must be part of ERM
Sustainability risks — ranging from climate-related disruptions to supply chain vulnerabilities — need to be treated with the same thoroughness as financial or operational risks. Hasib emphasized that ERM provides a natural structure to capture and manage these risks effectively.
Integrating sustainability into ERM helps organizations focus resources, engage the right stakeholders, and drive transformation based on real risk exposure and opportunity.
A digital approach to better risk management
Inclus’ platform supports organizations in linking sustainability with ERM through modular, collaborative, and auditable tools. The software enables:
Alignment of materiality assessments with ERM criteria and risk appetite.
Integration of double materiality and regulatory frameworks like CSRD.
Stakeholder engagement at scale, with structured input and AI-powered insights.
Dashboards and summaries for decision-making and reporting.
Breaking down silos and speaking a common language
One of the biggest challenges is organizational silos. Sustainability, risk, and finance teams often speak different languages and use different frameworks.
Hasib pointed out that successful sustainability professionals act as translators, helping other departments understand sustainability in their own terms.
This improves engagement, streamlines communication, and increases the strategic value of both sustainability and risk functions.
Tailored and scalable processes
Mikaeli and Hasib discussed how ERM and sustainability integration must be tailored to each organization’s context.
While regulatory frameworks set the baseline, companies should design processes that reflect their structure, strategy, and resource availability. Using digital tools, these processes can be repeatable, scalable, and flexible — ensuring relevance even as the business evolves.
Key takeaways for leaders
Start with clarity: Understand what your company needs from ERM and sustainability, and define the outputs up front.
Bridge internal gaps: Use shared processes and language to align risk, finance, and sustainability teams.
Leverage technology: Digital tools can consolidate data, enable collaboration, and support audits and assurance.
Focus on strategic value: Go beyond compliance to use sustainability and ERM insights in boardroom decision-making.
Want to see how Inclus works? Contact us or book a demo to explore how Inclus can support your journey.
Watch the webinar recording here: