The connection between innovation and climate action has never been more vital. As the urgency of global climate goals intensifies, industries are being forced to rethink old methods and adopt bold, forward-thinking solutions to drive real progress.At the same time, more than 60 recent and upcoming global elections, including the return of a Trump administration in the U.S., could signal major shifts in federal climate policies. Yet one thing remains certain: Businesses and investors are not waiting for governments to take the lead. Sustainability is still a priority, pushing companies to focus on transparency and take tangible steps to meet climate challenges head on.So what does it take to navigate these complexities? I spoke with Erik Saito of Workiva, a cloud-based financial reporting platform, to explore the importance of data transparency and how integrated reporting can create a singular story about impact.How can innovation help tackle issues like inconsistent standards, scattered data and complex regulations, bring everything together to drive real change?Innovation is key because it lets us tackle challenges with fresh perspectives and practical solutions. It helps break down barriers, sparks new ideas, drives smarter processes, and enables technologies that help us reduce emissions, use resources more efficiently, and discover sustainable solutions we couldnt have imagined just a few years ago. But perhaps most importantly, innovation brings people and ideas together, empowering us to address these challenges collaboratively and create meaningful, lasting change. Its the driving force that turns sustainability goals into real, impactful action.What sparked Workivas move toward sustainability?The shift was really a natural evolution. As more companies recognized the importance of sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG), there was a clear need for delivering the same transparency and accuracy in financial reporting to this space. We saw an opportunity to help companies navigate these evolvingand oftentimes challengingnew requirements, making their ESG data just as reliable and actionable as their financial data. The shift wasnt just because of customer demand; it aligned with our mission, which is to power transparent reporting for a better world.Were there any themes at Novembers COP29, the United Nations Climate Change conference, that stood out as especially promising or transformative?To no surprise, a large focus of this years event was on the need for standardization in sustainability reporting. I think that can be reflected by how financial reporting went through the same process as it matured, with stakeholders recognizing that consistency, transparency, and comparability are essentialsomething were now seeing in the ESG field.The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, or CSRD, is a great example of the push for standardization, and it was a hot topic at COP29. The CSRD significantly expands the number of companies required to report on ESG metrics and it uses detailed, standardized guidelines to ensure consistency. This kind of uniformity is helping organizations and investors get a clearer picture of ESG risks and opportunities, which is driving it deeper into core business strategies.I see regulations like the CSRD as a real opportunity for companies. Its a chance to drive meaningful change, invest in sustainable practices, and create long-term value. Its also a way to build resilience and lay a strong foundation to weather the kind of volatility were seeing in todays macro environment.Do you think companies will continue retreating from their sustainability commitments or even abandoned them altogether, either due to investor pressure or the current economic and political landscape? Are there risks in doing so?Weve been tracking this sentiment through surveys over the past few years, and the data tells a different story. In our 2024 Executive Benchmark on Integrated Reporting, not only did 82% of institutional investors report that they havent changed how they make investment decisions despite recent criticism of ESG, but 91% of executives also agreed that integrated financial and ESG reporting offers a more holistic view of performance.Companies that step back now risk damaging their reputation, losing investor confidence, and falling behind in a world thats increasingly focused on ESG. Customers, investors, and regulators are all demanding more transparency, not less. Those who dont keep up could find themselves struggling to compete.In 2025, I think well see more companies adopt tools and strategies that help them stay on track, even in tough economic or political environments. The shift were seeing is clearsustainability isnt just good for the planet; its good for business.Given the uncertainty of the evolving climate landscape, what advice do you have for companies reporting on ESG factors?You need to invest in innovation. I think a lot of us are used to doing manual, time-consuming work because thats how its always been done. But today, technology has advanced to the point where we dont have to settle for business as usual.Technology allows businesses to integrate financial, ESG, sustainability, compliance, and risk management into a cohesive frameworkone that tells a powerful, unified story to stakeholders. Technology strengthens your business value by demonstrating measurable impact, enhancing transparency, and enabling smarter decision making. Organizations that prioritize unifying these areas through innovation dont just stay competitivethey build trust, drive sustainable growth, and future-proof their business in an increasingly complex world.Celia Jones is global chief marketing officer of FINN Partners.