Companies that settle for merely meeting the minimum sustainability requirements are leaving half of their potential untapped, says Kaskas’ newest team member, Anna Gaib.
Anna Gaib, before joining Kaskas, you worked at OpenCO2net, a provider of carbon footprint platforms, and at Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), the largest climate business network in Europe. What kind of expertise are you bringing to Kaskas?
While working at Climate Leadership Coalition, I gained a broad perspective on how climate action can be much more than just regulatory compliance — it can be a gateway to entirely new markets and a powerful engine for growth. At OpenCO2net, I had the chance to both observe and carry out emissions calculations in practice. The most important lesson there was what good data can do at its best: turn climate work into real impact.
I believe I bring added strength to Kaskas in helping companies turn sustainability into business value. Businesses benefit most from climate actions that directly respond to — or even shape — market expectations. Depending on the industry, this can mean different things for different companies.
In recent years, the “train” of corporate responsibility regulation moved rapidly toward stricter and more mandatory requirements. Now, however, it seems the destination of that train has shifted — at least temporarily. What advice would you give to SMEs struggling with this uncertainty?
Climate change and biodiversity loss haven’t been cancelled, even if corporate responsibility regulation and reporting are currently experiencing fluctuations — or even setbacks. Sustainability is here to stay, and addressing it is key to securing a company’s future.
An increasing number of customers are demanding concrete sustainability actions. It’s much easier to meet these demands when you’ve prepared in advance — rather than when they’ve already become mandatory conditions in a request for proposals. Investors and financiers are also evaluating companies’ climate risks and opportunities more strictly, which affects both access to financing and its terms. On the consumer side, sustainability is playing an ever-larger role in purchasing decisions. In many industries, such as food and textiles, some consumers are already highly aware.
That’s why my number one piece of advice for SMEs is this: focus on long-term development rather than just regulatory compliance.
The companies that will stay competitive are those that can demonstrate their climate action in tangible ways. For them, doors to new markets and partnerships will remain open.
What topic could you lecture on at a moment’s notice?
I could easily give a lecture on how companies can use CSRD reporting strategically and turn their climate actions into a competitive advantage. Too often, reporting is seen as a chore — when in fact it’s an opportunity to influence and stand out. In the lecture, I’d focus on how to identify the most impactful climate actions and turn data into meaningful communication.
What has surprised you most about working at Kaskas?
At Kaskas, people challenge each other — in a good way. The team works closely and supports one another, but we’re not afraid to ask critical questions within our teams. That same mindset shows up in client work too. Kaskas experts are bold in proposing the solutions a client needs for advancing their sustainability — and in engaging in open dialogue to find the best path forward.
Our conversations often turn to good food — do you have other hobbies as well?
I’m easily excited and open to trying almost any hobby. I love testing out different activities and collecting new experiences. Some hobbies are seasonal: in summer I go boating and explore the nearby islands around Helsinki; in the fall, I forage for mushrooms.
The photo of Anna in this article was taken by Kaskas’ Vilja Pursiainen.
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