As sustainability shifts from the sidelines to the centre of corporate strategy, it’s becoming a defining marker of leadership, resilience and long-term success. In our first edition of The Company We Keep, we speak with Sara Curtin, Director and Sustainability Lead at Gen Sustainability, about the growing importance of sustainability in business, the trends shaping corporate priorities in 2025 and how companies can take meaningful first steps on their ESG journey.
Meet Sara Curtin
Sara Curtin, Director and Sustainability Lead, brings over 30 years experience in geology, sustainability, hydrogeology, environmental management, risk, health and safety, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation, project and business management. With deep industry expertise, Sara helps turn sustainability challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience. Sara has a strong technical background; BSc Gelology (Honours) MSc Hydrogeology, PGCert Environmental Management, EMBA, MAICD, GAICD and GRI Certified.
About Gen Sustainability
Gen Sustainability provides expert advisory services in sustainability strategy, governance, materiality, risk, ESG performance and business integration. They empower companies to create their sustainability journey and drive meaningful impact and long-term value. The Gen Sustainability approach is grounded in science and aligned with global sustainability standards, ensuring practical, results-driven solutions that enhance business performance.
Q&A with Sara Curtin
Q1) You have a passion for supporting companies to be more sustainable over the long-term. What influences or experiences have shaped your passion?
Starting as a geologist in the early ‘90s at Western Mining, I saw firsthand how better planning and use of technology (at the time, GIS) could lead to improved environmental and safety outcomes. My career evolved from fieldwork to environmental risk consulting and later corporate roles in oil and gas Woodside, helping me understand sustainability not just in environmental and social terms, but as part of business strategy, models and governance.
Over time, I’ve seen the long-term value when companies identify their impacts, measure them and make consistent improvements, creating both social and economic benefits. Sustainability operates at all levels of an organisation and through its partnerships. It’s about creating positive value for both business and society.
This could mean reducing emissions, using water more efficiently, cutting waste, protecting nature, or investing in people – through capability, building, training and education.
A defining moment for me was attending the launch of the UN SDGs at a GRI Conference in the Netherlands in 2016. Seeing how companies, industries and even countries could align toward a shared vision was incredibly inspiring.
In 2023 I attended the launch of the Global IFRS ISSB S1 and S2 Standards in London at the London Stock Exchange, which was an inspiring milestone in the evolution of sustainability and climate reporting. These standards are now playing a pivotal role in shaping regulatory requirements for reporting on climate and sustainability reporting primarily for investors.
“A piece of advice that stuck with me was to start with just two goals: One you’re impacting and one where you can add value.”
2. The topic of ESG seems to drift in and out of fashion and/or move up and down the list of corporate priorities; where does it sit in 2025 for Aussie companies and why?
I prefer the term sustainability, as it reflects a broader, more holistic approach. That said, investors tend to favour ESG because it breaks things down into clear categories – Environmental, Social and Governance which can simplify a complex space.
For leading Australian companies, sustainability is now embedded in core operations, governance and risk frameworks. It’s no longer a ‘nice-to-have,’ it’s a key pillar of business strategy and value creation. These companies understand their risks and opportunities through an ESG lens and use that to manage and grow value.
In 2025, this focus is only intensifying. Companies need to know their impacts on people, planet and prosperity and how the external environment affects them. What natural resources do they rely on? What are the risks in their supply chain? What policy changes are coming?
Sustainability/ESG will continue to rise in importance as they become essential to managing risk, protecting reputation and driving long-term success. While ESG issues often come into focus during crises, companies that actively manage and report on these areas are better equipped to respond and build trust with stakeholders.
3. We often hear companies comment that they “just don’t know where to start” when it comes to their ESG journey; what’s your response to those companies?
My advice is to take a structured approach. Begin by identifying the ESG issues that are most material to your business, these often emerge from past challenges, existing risks or untapped opportunities. Internal and external stakeholder engagement is critical at this stage—this will provide valuable insights into what matters most to employees, customers, regulators and investors.
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework is a strong starting point to map materials issues and guide focus. From there, companies should assess both where they’re falling short but also identify and communicate the positive impact they’re making in areas like environmental stewardship or community engagement.
Once priorities are clear, aligning with global standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) helps ensure your strategy is globally relevant and meaningful. From a scientist’s perspective: measure what matters and set goals. What gets measured gets managed and that’s how progress begins.
4. How is the geopolitical uncertainty at a global level impacting business’ focus on their sustainability?
Geopolitical uncertainty, including the shift in leadership in major economies such as the U.S., has undeniably impacted the global sustainability landscape. Policy swings, especially around climate action and social issues (such as diversity and inclusion), have created uncertainty for businesses trying to navigate long-term sustainability goals. The Trump administration’s approach, for instance, was a departure from global climate agreements, which set back collective action on issues like the Paris Agreement.
While Australian companies have operated in a more stable regulatory environment, the global ripple effects are real. Changes in overseas policy can impact Australian companies through supply chain disruptions, trade and tariff shifts or evolving investor expectations. These ripple effects can disrupt supply chains, create new regulatory demands, or affect investor sentiment.
“This means companies must remain agile. The most resilient are those with sustainability strategies focused on key risks and opportunities – backed by strong business fundamentals.”
5. What are the top issues facing Australian companies when it comes to shaping a sustainable business model?
Shaping a sustainable business model means tackling key challenges that affect long-term resilience and value. The top three issues businesses must navigate include:
1. Mapping the Value Chain
Understanding the full value chain and product lifecycle is critical. A comprehensive mapping process helps identify risks, uncover opportunities and ensure sustainability efforts extend beyond direct operations. This includes evaluating both upstream suppliers and downstream business impacts to drive more responsible and efficient practices.
2. Managing Supply Chain Risks
Supply chain management is a growing concern, particularly in light of disruptions like those experienced during COVID-19. Companies must proactively assess risks related to business continuity, ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance. Ensuring transparency and ethical standards throughout the supply chain is essential for maintaining trust and compliance.
3. Identifying and Managing Material Sustainability Issues
Knowing your most material sustainability topics, those that matter most to your business and stakeholders – is vital. Setting clear metrics and goals allows companies to track progress, improve performance and align with global frameworks. Integrating these priorities into core business strategy, risk and governance ensures long-term sustainability success.
As sustainability continues to shape the future of business, conversations like these provide valuable insight into how companies can turn ambition into action. Stay tuned for more from The Company We Keep as we spotlight the people, ideas and partnerships driving change across industry.
