August Now Has a Purpose
Author Victoria Erickson once described August as “the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest. It yawns and lingers on with light in its palms.”
While this captures August’s softness, the month now holds a sharper purpose—sustainability. Around the world, more organizations are using August to conduct their Post-Summer Sustainability Assessment.
What Is a Post-Summer Sustainability Assessment?
A Post-Summer Sustainability Assessment evaluates how well an organization’s sustainability initiatives are working. It measures effectiveness, identifies areas for improvement, and increases accountability. The ultimate goals: to cut costs, boost efficiency, protect the environment, and build a culture of sustainability.
Why August?
Sustainability is a year-round effort, but August offers unique advantages:
Timely Review – August sits at a natural checkpoint, often aligning with the start of many business calendars.
Bigger Impact – Annual reviews in August provide deeper insights than monthly or quarterly updates.
Fresh Perspective – It’s the perfect moment to bring in an external evaluator with the expertise to spot gaps, recommend best practices, and streamline sustainability programs.
For mid- to large-sized organizations, hiring a third-party evaluator is highly recommended. Their role extends beyond the assessment itself. With access to tools such as Green2Sustainable.com, evaluators can monitor and track progress, measure results, and suggest new ways to streamline business operations.
How to Prepare Internally
Before beginning a Post-Summer Sustainability Assessment—or calling in an evaluator—organizations should:
> Define the purpose, scope, and goals of the assessment.
> Ensure benchmarks, indicators, and monitoring systems are in place.
> Identify all key stakeholders, including vendors and partners.
> Develop a communications plan to keep staff and stakeholders informed.
> Provide training and resources on evaluation methods.
The Value of August Assessments
A Post-Summer Sustainability Assessment isn’t just a formality—it’s a driver of ongoing improvement. By using August to reflect and recalibrate, organizations can reduce costs, improve productivity, protect the environment, and operate more efficiently.
In short, August is no longer just a month that drifts by—it’s a month with purpose.
-Steve