Watershed > Case Studies > Driving Decarbonization Initiatives: A Case Study on Braze

Driving Decarbonization Initiatives: A Case Study on Braze

Applicable Industries

Electrical Grids
Finance & Insurance

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Supply Chain Visibility
Time Sensitive Networking

About The Customer

Braze is a comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers memorable and relevant interactions between consumers and the brands they love. The company, as of October 31, 2022, had nearly 1,500 full-time employees in eight offices across the globe. Braze is committed to sustainability and climate action, recognizing the economic power of companies as a vehicle for combating climate change. The company has taken significant steps to integrate sustainability into its business operations, driven by its Associate Director of Sustainability, Lilian Liu.

The Challenge

Braze, a comprehensive customer engagement platform, was faced with the challenge of integrating sustainability and climate action into its business operations. The company, with nearly 1,500 full-time employees across eight global offices, recognized the need to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against climate change. However, convincing stakeholders about the importance of climate work and its relevance to business success was a significant hurdle. There were concerns about potential disruptions to business operations, such as swapping out a reliable vendor for a 'greener' one that might not match the same level of stability and performance. Additionally, the company needed to navigate the complexities of sustainability reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability while focusing on what matters most.

The Solution

Braze appointed Lilian Liu as Associate Director of Sustainability to drive its decarbonization initiatives. Liu, with her extensive experience in the impact space, sustainability strategy consulting, and work with the United Nations Global Compact, brought a unique perspective to the role. She adopted a strategy of connecting climate priorities to the responsibilities of different stakeholders within the company. By understanding the concerns and motivations of these stakeholders, she was able to work towards solutions that addressed their resistance. For instance, if there were concerns about a new 'greener' vendor's stability, the task was to demonstrate how this vendor could provide greater stability. Liu also focused on optimizing sustainability reporting. When Braze published its first ESG report in November, it was streamlined to just 14 pages, highlighting only the most relevant data. This approach allowed the company to spend more time driving impact on the ground.

Operational Impact

The appointment of a dedicated sustainability leader and the implementation of a strategic approach to climate action has positioned Braze as a leader in corporate sustainability. The company has successfully integrated climate priorities into its business operations, addressing stakeholder concerns and resistance along the way. The streamlined approach to sustainability reporting has also allowed the company to focus more on driving impact on the ground. Moreover, Braze's commitment to sustainability has made it an attractive employer for candidates interested in climate work, further enhancing its reputation and potential for impact in the climate space.