Competing in a Carbon-Constrained World: Climate Strategy as Competitive Advantage

A conversation with Rachelle Cooper Kulkarni, Founder & CEO of Sustainify.

For many organisations, climate change still sits in the “risk management” column - something to mitigate, monitor, and report. For Rachelle Cooper Kulkarni, it’s the primary driver of value creation. As founder of Sustainify, she helps communities and organisations navigate the green transition with strategies that are both scientifically grounded and commercially viable.

Her approach blends climate science, strategic foresight, and human-led technology to uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight. From building social licence in renewable energy projects to aligning net zero goals with operational realities.

In this Exec Edge Q&A, Rachelle shares why the next wave of competitive advantage will come from climate integrity, how to balance short-term pressures with long-term impact, and the overlooked shifts that will define leadership in a low-carbon economy. How is climate change influencing your organisation’s competitive positioning today? Climate change isn’t just influencing Sustainify’s strategy, it’s the reason we exist. Climate action is the DNA woven into our vision, mission, and business plan. We see it as our opportunity to lead by example, building trust and credibility through climate integrity and impact. Our market advantage lies in our unique methodologies that blend proven frameworks across industry silos, supported by human-led climate tech, and our commitment to collaboration over competition.

What does “value creation” look like in a low-carbon economy for your industry? For us, value creation means securing a liveable future for generations to come. On the path to our net zero vision, we create value in many ways - from building social value and earning social licence in the renewable energy sector to delivering positive environmental impacts through nature-based solutions.

How do you balance decarbonisation goals with near-term financial and operational pressures? That’s a good question. It can be challenging, since the solutions our world truly needs aren’t always front and centre for clients. We balance competing priorities by pragmatically addressing immediate and future-oriented client needs, like delivering efficient ESG frameworks while setting ambitious goals aligned with sustainability foresight. This way, we maintain strong short-term cash flow while staying committed to deep, regenerative impact.

What governance structures or decision-making processes ensure climate considerations stay embedded in core strategy? Positive climate action is at the heart of our strategy. Our theory of change and impact model are designed to address systemic challenges, ensuring climate considerations are built into every decision. Our organisation is fully aligned with climate realities, making climate-aligned decision-making second nature. As a social enterprise, we also draw on frameworks like Social Traders and B Corp to maintain strong, ethical governance.

Can you share an example where climate factors directly shaped an investment, innovation, or market entry decision? Absolutely. There are two critical solutions to the climate crisis: accelerating the energy transition and investing in nature conservation. These two solutions are often viewed as separate or competing objectives, but achieving net zero by 2035 demands we do both. Sustainify is focused on win-win solutions that deliver nature-positive renewables with maximum social, cultural, economic, and environmental co-benefits.

What’s one climate-related shift you think most executives are still underestimating? Most executives still underestimate how climate realities need to be integrated into organisational leadership, despite the consistent climate science and economics supporting investment. They’re committed to the sustainability minimums and compliance reporting while missing the opportunity to innovate and lead. The insurance industry’s current existential crisis sends a clear message: adapt and lead, or risk becoming obsolete. Closing thoughts

As Rachelle makes clear, climate strategy isn’t a compliance exercise, it’s a leadership imperative. Those who integrate climate realities into the core of their business will find themselves not just mitigating risk, but creating lasting competitive advantage in a carbon-constrained world.