Background
Cobry, a rapidly growing Google Cloud partner with a young, dynamic workforce, recognised the need to embed sustainability into its core operations. Led by a forward-thinking owner with strong ethical values, the company had already established a sustainability team but lacked a clear roadmap for progress. They sought structured guidance on where to start, how to measure impact, and how to align sustainability with their business goals.
Beyond ethical motivations, Cobry quickly realised that a strong sustainability strategy would help them attract top talent in a competitive recruitment market. Additionally, sustainability credentials were becoming increasingly important to customers in certain sectors, and they identified opportunities for product and market development linked to their sustainability efforts.
Business Case
Cobry wanted to build a credible and coherent sustainability strategy, secure recognised certifications such as B Corp and ISO, and differentiate itself from competitors through authentic sustainability efforts. As a business deeply embedded in the Google Cloud ecosystem, aligning with Google’s green cloud leadership was also a key priority. However, they faced challenges in structuring their sustainability efforts, achieving certification, and ensuring their progress was meaningful and measurable.
To accelerate their sustainability journey, Cobry partnered with Sustainable X. The collaboration aimed to establish a structured framework, embed sustainability across the organisation, and enhance their market positioning.
Process
Cobry’s leadership team and sustainability leads attended a half-day accelerator workshop facilitated by Sustainable X. During the session, they refined their business case, assessed their significant sustainability impacts using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework, and identified priority areas.
Following the workshop, Sustainable X:
- Developed a strategic roadmap outlining the steps needed to achieve B Corp and ISO certifications.
- Established a Sustainability Committee, ensuring an internal team was responsible for driving sustainability initiatives.
- Mapped Cobry’s existing efforts against sustainability best practices, identifying opportunities to strengthen their approach.
- Created a resourced action plan, providing a clear pathway for implementation.
- Designed a communications framework to effectively engage stakeholders and enhance market positioning, aligning with Google’s green cloud messaging.
Outcomes
The partnership between Cobry and Sustainable X delivered tangible results:
- Clear strategic direction: Cobry now has a structured sustainability roadmap, enabling them to track progress and maintain focus.
- Stronger internal engagement: The Sustainability Committee plays a vital role in embedding sustainability into the company’s culture.
- Authentic sustainability leadership: Cobry has significantly grown as a business while staying committed to sustainability.
- Employee wellbeing focus: One major initiative they have successfully implemented is a permanent four-day working week following a successful pilot.
- B Corp certification: Cobry has now achieved B Corp status, which they credit in part to Sustainable X’s support in accelerating their sustainability journey.
Colin Bryce, CEO of Cobry, commented:
“Sustainable X gave us the structure and guidance we needed to turn our sustainability aspirations into measurable achievements. Their expertise not only helped us secure vital certifications but also strengthened our market positioning and partnerships.”
Cobry continues to evolve as a sustainability leader, demonstrating that a strategic and well-structured approach can drive both business success and positive environmental and social impact.