Sustainability research
Beyond insights: Research that drives change
At SAGE, sustainability research is not just a technical exercise. It is a process of inquiry that helps organisations ask better questions, uncover hidden patterns, and arrive at decisions grounded in both evidence and context. We see research as a critical enabler of clarity. It challenges assumptions, exposes trade-offs, and helps build a shared understanding of where action is needed most.
Whether you are shaping a corporate sustainability strategy, responding to evolving policy and regulatory landscapes, or trying to understand emerging risks and opportunities within your sector, our research is designed to support real-world decisions. We move beyond academic analysis to deliver insights that are actionable and aligned with your organisation’s goals.
Each engagement is tailored to your needs whether you are preparing for a strategic shift, evaluating a sustainability intervention, or making the case for a new direction.
We believe that strong research empowers better choices. It equips leaders to act with confidence in the face of complexity, to anticipate future challenges, and to articulate the value of sustainability in ways that resonate across stakeholders.
FAQ's
What areas of research do you cover?
We conduct applied research across climate risk, net zero, ESG benchmarking, policy landscape analysis, impact measurement, and sustainability trends.
Can you help us with primary data collection?
Yes. We design surveys, conduct interviews, and use digital tools or field partners to generate grounded insights.
Do you provide both qualitative and quantitative research?
Absolutely. We combine data analytics with policy review, literature synthesis, and stakeholder perspectives for holistic outputs.
Is your research aligned to global standards?
Yes. We align with GRI, SDG indicators, SBTi pathways, TCFD, and other relevant frameworks, depending on the context.
Can research outputs be published or used for reporting?
Yes. We create outputs tailored for board notes, investor briefings, internal strategy, or public communication.
What we offer
Baseline studies on sustainability performance and ESG maturity
Sector scans, peer benchmarking, and market positioning studies
Climate risk and opportunity assessments
Policy impact studies and scenario modelling
Thematic research for sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, or capacity building
Our collaborative process:
Scoping and framing
Clarify research goals, intended use, stakeholder context, and preferred outputs.
Methodology and design
Select relevant methods- quantitative, qualitative, or mixed and align with global frameworks.
Data collection and Analysis
Use structured tools, interviews, literature, and data science to develop insight.
Validation and Sensemaking
Workshops or reviews with internal teams to ensure relevance, usability, and resonance.
Output and Communication
Deliver reports, dashboards, summaries, or training-ready decks tailored to audience needs.
Outcomes you can expect:
Strategic clarity
Gain evidence-based insights to inform sustainability goals, investment priorities, and long-term planning.
Policy and risk intelligence
Understand how evolving regulations and ESG risks may impact your operations, markets, or supply chains.
Benchmarking and Gap analysis
Compare your sustainability performance with peers, standards, or sector norms to identify strengths and improvement areas.
Stakeholder and Impact mapping
Identify key stakeholder expectations and assess the social and environmental impacts most relevant to your business.
Decision-ready evidence
Access reliable data, case studies, and scenario analysis that support confident, informed decision-making across teams.
Where are you on your Sustainability Research journey?
If you are unsure where to begin, what matters most, or how your sustainability goals compare with your peers or obligations, research is your starting point. We help you ask the right questions and find the answers that matter.
Our approach
We combine academic discipline with real-world consulting sense. We are guided by relevance, transparency, and usability delivering research that serves both compliance and transformation.
Why Choose SAGE for your Sustainability research?
We bring deep cross-sectoral experience, systems thinking, and credibility as both practitioners and researchers. Whether it’s a five-page policy brief or a fifty-page baseline report, we make your sustainability research strategic, visual, and actionable.
