Why Your Sustainability Story Needs an ESG Video Strategy (And How to Get it Right)

If you’re organisation is putting in the work, you need an ESG video. Whether you’re a Sustainability Manager tackling complex metrics or a CEO leading your workforce to a more sustainable future, your organisation is on a journey to become more responsible. You’re tracking emissions, investing in communities, and improving governance.

But are you communicating it effectively to your audience?

Too often, this hard work ends up buried in a 50-page PDF report that, while crucial for compliance, does very little to inspire your customers, employees, or partners to get behind you.

You’ve put in the work to save carbon,http://chrome-extension://efaid and have a plan to save even more. But what does that mean to the indivdual on the street? Carbon is invisible, like a ghost, and it can be hard to get people to believe in it without evidence.

To unlock the full value of your ESG strategy, you need to tell that story in a way that’s human, engaging, and trustworthy. You need an ESG video strategy.

Here’s a detailed look at why ESG video is no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a core part of modern business.

1. Build Deep Trust: Why Audiences Demand Green Brands

You’d have to have your head in the sand to not have noticed the fundamental shift in consumer behaviour. People are actively seeking out brands that align with their values. They don’t just want to buy from you; they want to believe in you.

• “Green and Eco-Friendly”: This is about more than a recyclable logo. Audiences are savvy. They want to know about your labour practices (the ‘S’ in ESG), your supply chain ethics, and your corporate governance (the ‘G’).

• The Power of Emotion: A static report delivers facts; an ESG video delivers feeling. Seeing a real interview with an employee, a supplier, or a community member you’ve supported builds an emotional connection that data alone cannot. It builds trust by showing the real-world, human impact of your policies. This emotional buy-in is what turns a one-time buyer into a loyal, long-term advocate.

2. Humanise Your Data: An ESG Video Makes Your Report Come Alive

Your annual ESG report is a testament to your commitment and transparency. It’s essential for investors and regulators. But for everyone else? It’s impenetrable.

This is where ESG video shines.

• • Translate Complexity: An animated explainer video can take a complex idea, like your new sustainability strategy, and make it clear, concise, and engaging in 90 seconds. This makes your efforts accessible to everyone, not just the experts.

  • Show, Don’t Just Tell: Your report might state that you’ve reduced factory emissions by 20%. An ESG video shows the new, cleaner technology in action. It shows the engineer who installed it, talking with passion about the project. This visual proof is infinitely more powerful and memorable than a number on a page, building a rock-solid public image based on tangible action.

3. Forget Perfection: An “In-Progress” ESG Video is More Authentic

Here is the number one fear that stops businesses from communicating: “We’re not ready yet.”

Companies are so afraid of being accused of “greenwashing” that they wait until they have everything completed before saying anything or worse, say nothing at all. This is a massive mistake.

• Honesty is the Antidote to Greenwashing: Your audience knows this is hard. They don’t expect you to have solved climate change overnight. What they demand is honesty. An ESG video is the perfect format for this.

• Document the Journey: Use a simple, authentic video series to show the journey. Frame it as “Our Progress So Far.” Show the challenges. Show the team meetings where you’re debating a new packaging material. Show the installation of your new EV charging ports. This “behind-the-scenes” approach feels real and relatable. It proves you’re a better organisation today than you were yesterday, and that’s a story everyone can get behind.

4. ESG Video Wins You Bigger Partners

If your business sells to other businesses, your sustainability credentials are now a critical part of the procurement process.

• • Hello, Scope 3 Emissions: Your large corporate clients have their own ambitious net-zero targets. A huge, hard-to-control part of their carbon footprint is their supply chain—which means you.

  • De-Risk the Partnership: When a procurement manager is choosing between two suppliers, who gets the contract? It’s the one who can prove they are a responsible, low-risk partner. An ESG video that clearly explains your ISO 14001 environmental accreditation, your carbon reduction plan, or your ethical sourcing policy isn’t just marketing. It’s a powerful sales tool. It shows you are aligned with their goals and makes their life easier.

What Your ESG Video Strategy Could Look Like

Rather than producing a single, expensive film, a toolkit of video assets you can use to tell your story to different audiences gives your many more options.

• The “Purpose” Anthem Video: A 2-minute “hero” film for your homepage and key stakeholders. This is your “why.” It sets the vision and communicates your core commitment with emotional, cinematic impact and sets it in stone.

• The Animated Explainer Series: A set of 60-90 second animations. Use these to break down complex topics like “What are Scope 3 emissions?” or “Our Plan for a Circular Economy.” Perfect for your website’s sustainability credentials.

• The “Proof of Progress” Socials: A regular series of short, authentic videos (15-60 seconds) for LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Show your new recycling process in action. Film a quick “thank you” from a local charity you’ve supported. This is your regular, trust-building content.

• The Internal Comms Piece: Don’t forget your own team! An internal ESG video gets everyone on the same page, building pride and turning your employees into your most passionate ambassadors.

You’re already doing the right thing. It’s time to tell the world about it.

Ready to turn your sustainability commitments into your most powerful and authentic story? We help organisations like yours create compelling ESG video strategies that build trust, win customers, and inspire change.