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Turning the Tide: How Brands Can Engage Consumers on Water Sustainability
Julie Starr • January 30, 2025
Online conversations about water sustainability are surging. According to Diageo’s latest report, social media discussions on this topic have grown by 186% year over year, reflecting a significant shift in consumer interest. With over 94.3 million search and social media interactions, water pollution, climate change, and regional water crises are dominating discussions.
As digital engagement experts, Taiga Company understands that brands must not only participate in these conversations but lead them in a way that is authentic, action-driven, and impactful. Here’s how brands can navigate this rising tide of interest in water sustainability while leveraging digital strategies that drive real engagement.
Why Water Sustainability Matters to Your Audience
Diageo’s report highlights several key takeaways for brands looking to communicate effectively about water sustainability:
- Consumers expect brands to take action – Messaging should showcase tangible sustainability efforts, not just corporate commitments.
- Emotive storytelling increases engagement – Brands that use powerful storytelling techniques see up to a 33% boost in engagement.
- Timing and relevance are critical – Water-related conversations spike seasonally and regionally. For instance, in India, discussions peak during the monsoon season, while in Mexico, the ongoing water crisis fuels year-round concern.
- Digital-first strategies are a must – Social media, PR, and digital campaigns drive consumer awareness and action.
Brands that align their content, messaging, and engagement strategies with these findings will be best positioned to connect with consumers in meaningful ways.
How Taiga Company Helps Brands Drive Meaningful Engagement
At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping brands connect with purpose-driven audiences through strategic digital engagement. Here’s how we can help your brand capitalize on the growing interest in water sustainability:
- Brand Strategy & Thought Leadership - Water sustainability is more than a trending topic—it’s a movement. We help position your brand as an industry leader by crafting compelling narratives and thought leadership strategies that align with consumer concerns.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Digital Campaigns - Brands that actively engage in these conversations see stronger consumer trust and loyalty. We develop impact-driven digital campaigns that resonate across social media, industry networks, and key global markets.
- Corporate Communications & PR - Consumers demand authenticity and action. We craft transparent, results-focused PR strategies that showcase your brand’s sustainability initiatives in ways that build trust and credibility.
- Social Media Marketing & Community Building - With conversations around water sustainability happening online in real-time, brands need an agile social media strategy to stay relevant. Our team creates engaging, data-driven social content that drives awareness, advocacy, and action.
The Time to Act Is Now
Consumers are paying attention, and brands that communicate their water sustainability efforts effectively will stand out. By aligning your messaging with the right timing, storytelling, and digital strategy, you can build deeper connections with environmentally conscious audiences.
At Taiga Company, we help brands amplify their voice, engage their audience, and drive impact. Let’s make waves together.
Social media has transformed from a perceived "trend" into an essential tool for businesses to connect with their audiences. It is a cost-effective and dynamic way to personalize a brand and foster meaningful relationships with both existing and potential stakeholders. However, many companies miss the mark by focusing too heavily on pushing corporate messaging rather than fostering genuine engagement. When used thoughtfully, social media becomes a bridge between the corporate world and its stakeholders, especially when addressing critical topics like environmental and corporate sustainability. Why Social Media Matters for Sustainability Engagement Social media provides businesses with an opportunity to access and leverage social intelligence—the insights gained from observing and analyzing online conversations. This intelligence is invaluable for understanding stakeholder concerns, interests, and values. By utilizing social media’s openness and users’ willingness to discuss almost anything online, companies can gather data to inform their sustainability strategies and communication efforts. Stakeholders today expect more than generic corporate messaging. They want to see how companies align their actions with broader sustainability goals. Social media is a platform where businesses can showcase transparency, share progress, and create dialogue around environmental and corporate responsibility initiatives. Crafting a Stakeholder-Centric Social Media Strategy A successful social media strategy starts with understanding what stakeholders care about. To create content that resonates, consider the following guiding questions: What are the primary incentives or goals that stakeholders prioritize? Tailor your content to highlight how your sustainability initiatives address these priorities. What preconceived ideas do stakeholders have about the issues being communicated? Address these head-on to build trust and credibility. What concerns or objections might stakeholders raise? Anticipate and respond to these concerns in a transparent and constructive manner. What communication styles resonate with your audience? Determine whether stakeholders respond better to data-driven content or inspiring narratives and adapt accordingly. How does your messaging align with corporate values? Reinforce your company’s commitment to sustainability through consistent and value-driven communication. What metaphors, images, or stories will appeal to stakeholders? Use visuals and storytelling to make complex sustainability topics relatable and engaging. Why should stakeholders find your definition of success compelling? Demonstrate how your goals align with broader environmental and societal benefits. What other issues must be addressed to build credibility? Ensure your messaging doesn’t overlook topics that matter most to your audience. What are the intended and unintended consequences of your messaging? Consider how your communications will shape future stakeholder relationships and perceptions. Turning Insights into Action By incorporating a 360-degree assessment of stakeholder engagement, businesses can use social media to: Educate audiences about their sustainability efforts. Showcase measurable progress and impact. Engage in two-way conversations to gather feedback and improve initiatives. Build a community of advocates who share and amplify sustainability messages. The Power of Collaboration and Authenticity Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective sustainability communication. Stakeholders are more likely to engage with brands that demonstrate genuine commitment and transparency. Share real stories, admit challenges, and celebrate milestones. Additionally, collaborate with influencers, non-profits, and other organizations to amplify your message and showcase a collective commitment to sustainability. Partner with Taiga Company for Strategic Social Media Engagement Navigating the complexities of social media engagement can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Taiga Company, we specialize in crafting tailored social media strategies that connect businesses with their stakeholders while driving environmental and corporate sustainability goals. Let us help you create meaningful, impactful conversations that inspire action and foster lasting relationships.
The State of Sustainability Readiness 2024 report by IBM provides a sobering look at the challenges businesses face in achieving their sustainability objectives. One of the standout findings is the internal misalignment between C-suite executives and VP decision-makers on sustainability priorities. Additionally, regional disparities highlight the complexities of addressing sustainability across different markets. For organizations striving to make meaningful progress, clear and effective internal communication is key to bridging these gaps. At Taiga Company, we recognize that internal alignment on sustainability goals is essential for crafting cohesive and impactful strategies. Without shared understanding and collaboration across all levels of an organization, even the best sustainability initiatives can falter. Here’s how communication can play a pivotal role in addressing internal alignment: 1. Establish a Unified Vision Sustainability goals often involve multiple departments, from operations to marketing. When leaders at different levels have varying priorities, it’s easy for efforts to become fragmented. Solution: Develop a unified sustainability vision that resonates with all levels of leadership. This vision should clearly articulate how sustainability aligns with the company’s mission and long-term goals. How Communication Helps: Host regular cross-departmental meetings to align on key objectives. Use internal communication channels like newsletters, town halls, and video messages to consistently reinforce the shared vision. 2. Foster Two-Way Communication The IBM report highlights the gap between executive-level priorities and the perspectives of VP-level decision-makers. This disconnect can hinder effective implementation of sustainability initiatives. Solution: Create platforms for two-way dialogue where leaders across different levels can share insights, challenges, and feedback. How Communication Helps: Implement feedback loops through surveys or structured meetings to capture perspectives from all levels. Use collaborative tools like project management platforms to keep everyone informed and engaged. 3. Address Regional Disparities with Tailored Messaging Regional differences in sustainability challenges require nuanced approaches that consider local contexts. A blanket strategy can fail to address unique needs, creating further misalignment. Solution: Tailor communications to reflect regional priorities while maintaining alignment with the overall sustainability strategy. How Communication Helps: Develop localized communication plans that align with regional sustainability goals. Use regional success stories to demonstrate how local efforts contribute to broader objectives. 4. Empower Employees as Sustainability Advocates Sustainability isn’t just a leadership priority—it should be embedded throughout the organization. Empowering employees to understand and champion sustainability goals can strengthen internal alignment. Solution: Provide training and resources that equip employees to advocate for sustainability within their roles. How Communication Helps: Launch internal campaigns to educate employees about sustainability goals and their role in achieving them. Celebrate individual and team contributions to sustainability through internal platforms. Final Thoughts: Preparing for 2025 The path to sustainability readiness lies in cohesive communication strategies that bring leaders and teams together under a shared vision. As the IBM report underscores, addressing internal alignment is not just a nice-to-have but a necessity for progress. At Taiga Company, we understand the complexities of navigating internal dynamics in sustainability communications. From crafting unified messaging to fostering collaboration across regions and levels, our approach ensures your organization’s sustainability goals are understood and embraced at every level. Let’s work together to create a stronger, more aligned foundation for your sustainability journey in 2025.