In the latest episode of The Responsible Edge Podcast, we sat down with Alina Arnelle, the Chief Sustainability Officer at BeCause, a SaaS platform specialising in ESG disclosures, and sustainability strategies. Alina’s journey from a career in fashion design to a leader in sustainability provides a unique perspective on how data can be leveraged to push businesses beyond mere compliance, enabling them to focus on sustainable innovation. This article explores the key themes and insights from the conversation, including the importance of data in sustainability, the evolution from compliance to innovation, and the transformative power of platforms like BeCause.

From Fashion to Sustainability: A Journey of Transformation

Alina Arnelle’s career began in a world far removed from her current focus on sustainability – fashion. Trained in Italy and France and having worked with high-profile brands like Alexander McQueen and Peter Pilotto, Alina achieved her childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer. However, she quickly became disillusioned with the industry’s demanding and often toxic environment.

“I didn’t want to be another casualty for someone else’s dream,”

she shared, reflecting on her decision to leave fashion despite her success.

Her pivot from fashion to sustainability wasn’t just a career shift; it was a profound change driven by a desire to have a more meaningful impact. “I wanted to come back stronger and make it better,” she explained. This decision led her to study environmental science and sustainability, earning a Master’s degree in Sweden, a global leader in sustainable practices.

The Role of Data in Driving Sustainability

In her role at BeCause, Alina has been at the forefront of integrating sustainability into business operations. She emphasises that data is crucial in transforming how businesses approach sustainability. “Most sustainability people now are basically controllers, handling compliance and reporting,” Alina notes. “We want to change that narrative.”

Traditionally, many businesses have viewed sustainability through the narrow lens of compliance – ensuring they meet regulatory requirements without necessarily integrating sustainable practices into their core operations. However, platforms like BeCause offer a different approach. By digitalising and automating the collection, coordination, and communication of sustainability information, BeCause allows businesses to manage their data more efficiently. This efficiency frees up time and resources, enabling companies to focus on genuine sustainability initiatives rather than just ticking compliance boxes.

“Data needs to live its best life,”

Alina asserts. For data to drive meaningful change, it must be more than a static set of numbers; it needs to be dynamic and actionable. Platforms like BeCause facilitate this by providing tools that help companies not just collect data but also analyse and apply it in ways that align with their strategic goals.

Moving Beyond Compliance

One of the key themes Alina discussed was the need for businesses to move beyond mere compliance and embrace innovation in their sustainability efforts.

“There’s a lot of fear towards sustainability, that it’s going to steal resources from other departments or slow down product development,”

she says. This fear often leads companies to take a cautious, compliance-only approach rather than investing in innovative practices that could drive real change.

However, Alina argues that true sustainability requires businesses to look beyond short-term costs and consider the long-term benefits. She believes that by using data strategically, companies can identify areas where they can make the most significant impact. “If you don’t waste energy on hiding things, that energy can be used for so many good things,” she explains.

The focus should be on quality over quantity. Instead of attempting to address every sustainability issue at once, companies should identify a few key areas where they can make a real difference. “The more we choose, the better we look,” Alina says, referring to the misconception that addressing more sustainability issues is always better. She compares this approach to a fine dining restaurant menu – where fewer, well-executed options often lead to a better experience. Similarly, focusing on fewer but more impactful sustainability initiatives can lead to better outcomes.

The Power of Transparency and Honest Communication

Alina also emphasises the importance of transparency and honest communication in sustainability. She argues that businesses need to be clear about what sustainability means to them and how they are implementing it in their operations and products.

“There’s liberation in transparency,”

she states. Being open about where a company stands in its sustainability journey and where it needs improvement can help build trust with stakeholders and customers.

At BeCause, this philosophy is at the core of their approach. By providing a platform that allows businesses to manage their sustainability data transparently and effectively, they help organisations communicate their efforts more clearly and credibly to their stakeholders. This transparency is not just about reporting; it’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Enabling Sustainable Innovation through Technology

The conversation with Alina highlighted how technology can be a powerful enabler of sustainable innovation. Platforms like BeCause are not just about compliance; they are about creating opportunities for businesses to innovate sustainably. By automating routine tasks related to data collection and reporting, these platforms free up valuable time and resources. This enables companies to focus more on strategic initiatives that drive genuine environmental and social impact.

Alina’s work at BeCause involves developing tools and methodologies that help businesses identify their most pressing sustainability challenges and opportunities. “We advise our customers to start with the main ones – climate change, biodiversity, human rights, and business ethics,” she explains. By focusing on these core areas, businesses can develop targeted strategies that align with their overall goals and capabilities.

Moreover, Alina points out that having the right tools is essential for making data-driven decisions. “Without data exchange, there’s no point in collecting it,” she notes. At BeCause, they aim to be a “sustainability hub” that not only gathers data but also helps companies understand and use it to drive change. This comprehensive approach ensures that sustainability efforts are not just about compliance but are integrated into the fabric of the organisation’s operations.

The Future of Corporate Sustainability

Looking ahead, Alina envisions a future where sustainability is embedded in every aspect of business operations, not just as a separate function but as a core strategy. She calls for a shift away from the fear and stubbornness that often hold companies back from fully embracing sustainability.

“If I could, I would take away the fear and stubbornness that hold companies back from fully embracing sustainability,”

she says.

Her vision is one where businesses view sustainability not as a cost but as an opportunity for innovation and growth. By leveraging data and technology, companies can transform their approach to sustainability, moving from compliance to a focus on impactful innovation.

Conclusion

Alina Arnelle’s insights provide a compelling argument for the role of data and technology in driving sustainable business practices. Her journey from fashion designer to sustainability leader underscores the importance of purpose-driven work and the transformative power of innovative thinking. As businesses continue to face growing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, platforms like BeCause offer a promising path forward – one that goes beyond compliance and empowers companies to make a real difference.

For anyone interested in sustainability, corporate strategy, or innovative business solutions, this episode of The Responsible Edge Podcast is a must-listen. It offers valuable lessons on how to leverage data for sustainable innovation and provides a roadmap for businesses looking to make a meaningful impact in the world. As Alina aptly puts it,

“It’s about being better, not being perfect.”

This mindset, coupled with the right tools and strategies, can help businesses navigate the complexities of sustainability and emerge as leaders in the field.