It is with great excitement that we share our triumphs from a transformative year for Sustain SC. Through hours of meaningful conversations, strategic planning and collaborative efforts, we have successfully begun implementation of the Roadmap to Sustain SC and we’re proud to see it already making a tangible impact across South Carolina.
The Roadmap to Sustain SC was not just a plan; it is a multi-faceted movement that sets the stage for collaboration amongst all business sectors for many years to come. Because of the dedication and work of our members and partners, we’ve continued to pursue a balance between commerce and conservation while maintaining a competitive business environment. Over the past year, our seven accelerators have guided us with clear objectives, actionable timelines and innovative strategies to develop our shared vision of a more sustainable future for South Carolina.
Together, we have not only met our goals but also surpassed them, enabling us to create solutions that will elevate our economy and environment for generations to come. This year we had over a dozen events to implement the Roadmap to Sustain SC, gaining knowledge and building relationships for the next several years.
As we look to the future, I am inspired by what lies ahead and confident that the foundation we’ve laid this year will have a lasting and positive impact on South Carolina. Our collective work has positioned us as a statewide and national leader in sustainability, and the best is yet to come. Now, we will continue to push the boundaries, embracing innovation and building on the incredible momentum we’ve established.
Thank you to our exceptional Board, our talented staff, our wonderful members and every partner that has contributed to the success of Sustain SC this year, big and small. Your unwavering support and passion have been the driving force behind this journey, turning our shared vision into a reality.
Here’s to the future we are shaping together — where commerce and conservation go hand in hand.
In partnership,
Leslie Skardon CEO
Our Year in Review
The Roadmap to Sustain SC
In 2021, South Carolina was among the lowest-ranked states in a U.S. Sustainable Development Report released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Ranked 37th out of 50 states, Sustain SC partnered with Ernst and Young (EY) in 2022 to assess how South Carolina could improve its low position on the list.
With the goal of boosting South Carolina’s ranking, Sustain SC embarked on an examination of sustainability in the state collaborating with 44 representatives who served as ambassadors and active participants.
The ambassadors honed in on several focus areas: clean water; land conservation; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; responsible production and consumption; and a changing climate.
Through this collaboration, a plan for future sustainable development reflective of the unique commerce and conservation needs of the state was created…. The Roadmap to Sustain SC.
Sustain SC Values
Purpose-Driven Leadership
We value doing good and doing it well.
Stewardship
We value and care for our state’s resources — our economy, environment and people.
Collaboration
We value working together with different sectors and industries in a non-partisan way.
Integrity
We value acting with trust, credibility and accountability.
Respect
We value each other’s opinions and views, even when we may not agree.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships are core to everything we do. Together, we form partnerships across sectors, industries, and geographies to sustain South Carolina’s future.
Our membership is a unique compilation of industry, corporations, non-profits, conservation groups, solar providers, utilities, engineering firms and state agencies. Sustain SC offers incredible opportunities to bring together a strong network through exclusive membership events, networking opportunities, information events, groundbreaking dialogue, and connection.
ACCELERATOR 1:
Sustainability Leadership Initiative
In Partnership with Furman University’s Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, Sustain SC hosts the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI). SLI is an innovative leadership development program that uses cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning to enhance skills and equip fellows to enact positive change in their organizations and communities.
This year we were thrilled to graduate our third class of SLI Fellows, and announce our fourth class.
Joe Bailey Schaeffler
Gervais Baker Lumenant LLC
Megan Chase-Muller Upstate Forever
Eddie Cogdill SC Department of Commerce
Rick Crawford Emerger Strategies
Cynthia Davis Sustain SC
Hunter Davis Davis & Floyd
Dr. Zenobia Edwards
I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., Inc., Aspen Institute Fellow
Erin Fisher Boeing
2024 SLI Class 3 Graduates
Tory Grayson Water & Land Solutions
Amanda Green Colite
Tyson Grinstead Duke Energy
Steve Harrison
Coastal Carolina University
Rebecca Haynes
Audubon South Carolina
Scott Hicks
Mark Anthony Brewing Company
Elena Kenski Hollingsworth LLC
Nikki McDill
Mercedes Benz Vans, LLC
Nick Murray First Tuesday Strategies
Halle Price BMW Manufacturing Co.
Kaitlyn Sagan GEL Engineering
Emily Skaggs Milliken & Company
Robert Strange Greentree Land Management, LLC.
John Tynan
Conservation Voters of South Carolina
Geoff VanderVeen
AFL Global
Stuart White Congaree Land Trust
Daryl Whitt
All4
Sustain SC proudly celebrates their third class of SLI Fellows in collaboration with Furman’s Shi Institute.
ACCELERATOR 2:
Resilience and Conservation
Conservation is a key part of our work at Sustain SC. We not only work with companies, but also partner with conservation organizations and state agencies to help protect and preserve our land for generations to come.
Sustain SC is collaborating with SCOR, as well as businesses and organizations in the industry and conservation sectors, to focus on more than just mitigating environmental issues, but shifting to land and water protection. By investing in sustainable conservation initiatives throughout the state, the joint efforts will reduce risk, build resilience, and protect natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
WEBINAR RECAP
Land & Water
Ecological Services
Mitigation experts EPR, Water & Land Solutions and Westervelt, shared resources on how to access mitigation and conservation solutions in SC.
Land and Water Action Platform
Sustain SC gathered with stakeholders from across the state to define the objectives and goals for the Land and Water Action Platform, a conservation platform dedicated to protecting South Carolina’s precious natural resources. We work closely with partners across the state to help raise and leverage private dollars for conservation projects.
MOU with the SC Office of Resilience
This year, Sustain SC was thrilled to enter into a formal agreement with the South Carolina Office of Resilience to help increase resiliency and conservation in South Carolina.
Watershed Resource Registry
South Carolina is the first state in United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 to develop a Watershed Resources Registry (WRR). South Carolina’s WRR has been guided by the leadership of Sustain SC, and this year, the data layers were updated thanks in part to EPA funding. Throughout 2024, Sustain SC has conducted extensive stakeholder outreach in the conservation, mitigation, municipal and highered audiences to ensure that this comprehensive tool is aligned with the conservation needs in the state.
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Making the Case for Conservation
Sustain SC partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) on a new study showing Republican Primary voters support for conservation in South Carolina. CEO Leslie Skardon went to Capitol Hill with TNC and Conservatives for Clean Energy to meet with the South Carolina Delegation to share the data and continue to earn support for conservation and sustainable technologies in the state.
Human Resilience and Biodiversity
Sustain SC is partnering with our members to focus on the connection between our environment and human health. We will examine green spaces at work, biodiversity, and how our changing environment impacts human health to show the connection between our economy and investing in green infrastructure and naturebased solutions.
Respondents
Respondents
75.6%
Respondents
Respondents support land conservation. 81.3%
Respondents
Sustain SC CEO, Leslie Skardon, on Capitol Hill to meet with the South Carolina Delegation on support for conservation and sustainable technologies in the state.
Sustainable Workforce
Demand for sustainability-related skills in the job market has increased by nearly 40% since 2015.
No longer limited to traditional hard sciences, these skills now encompass other areas like project management, emissions measurement, and knowledge of laws and regulations related to sustainability and resilience. Sustain SC is working with our members and partners to ensure all learners have the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development, enhance scientific research, upgrade technology capabilities, and encourage sustainable innovation throughout every workforce sector.
THIS YEAR, WE DEFINED FIVE KEY AREAS TO FOCUS AND CHANNEL OUR WORK:
• Connecting with educators to infuse sustainability into curriculum.
• Collaborating with education and industry partners to upskill the underemployed with sustainability jobs.
• Connecting industry HR managers and company decision makers with STEM talent pipeline.
• Establishing a SC higher-ed working group to leverage sustainability best practices.
• Increasing the number of sustainability training and educational programs offered through Sustain SC, the member network & partners.
ACCELERATOR 3:
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business Partnership
Sustain SC was proud to enter into a new partnership with The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business to promote sustainability and economic development throughout South Carolina.
This partnership leverages Sustain SC’s subject matter expertise to offer Darla Moore School of Business students career exposure, internship opportunities, trainings, and more as a concentrated effort to develop and offer a skilled sustainability workforce across South Carolina. The first product of this collaboration launched this year with the release of the “Voices of Sustainability” podcast. The podcast features oneon-one interviews with 20 Sustain SC members to explore the challenges and opportunities that business, non-profits and state government face as they strive to balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
Around the State
FUTURE SKILLS WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR
Sustain SC, in partnership with the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business, hosted hosted a “Green Leaping your Workforce” event focusing on the green skills within STEM that are needed to support our economy, now and in the future. The event concluded with a tour of Sustain SC member, Colite International.
SUSTAINABILITY IS FOR EVERYONE
Sustain SC Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis presented with Sustain SC Members ZF Transmissions and the South Carolina Department of Commerce on “Sustainability is for Everyone” at the Education & Business Summit in Greenville.
Sustain SC CEO Leslie Skardon participating in an economic development panel at the Tri-County STEMersion Institute.
Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis had the pleasure of speaking with over 40 Sustain Carolina students at USC, based in the University of South Carolina’s Office of Sustainability.
CEO Leslie Skardon presented to Clemson FRESH’s leadership program in a panel on “Talking the Talk: Defining Sustainability in Industry.”
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
WEBINAR RECAP
Integrating Sustainability Skills through University Partnerships
USC Darla Moore School of Business, Furman University, Clemson University and Coastal Carolina University presented programs on sustainability as well as training resources for sustainability practitioners.
ACCELERATOR 4: TECHNICAL
Innovation and the Sustainable Revolution
As the fastest growing region in the country, the Southeast is now considered the U.S. economic center of gravity. At Sustain SC, we are actively convening our membership around economic innovation opportunities to engage our supply chains and increase the percentage of R&D spending in life sciences, energy innovation and advanced manufacturing. Sustain SC is a proud partner with the SC Department of Commerce in this work.
The Economic Impact of Sustainability
Sustain SC, USC Darla Moore School of Business and Upstate SC Alliance presented on the economic importance of providing access to sustainable technologies to help support South Carolina’s economic growth.
SC Fraunhofer Alliance
Partnership and Sustainability Maturity Assessments
To bring businesses together to focus on driving the sustainable revolution in South Carolina, Sustain SC and SC Fraunhofer Alliance, an SC Competes collaborative initiative, hosted more than 50 attendees in June. The Sustainability Toolkit Workshop was held at the BMW Technical Training Center in Greer. The workshop promoted the intersection of environmental conservation and business practices.
Following the workshop, Fraunhofer IPT conducted free Sustainability Maturity Assessments for five Sustain SC members to help them find ways to increase their sustainability.
MX.O Sustainability Conference
This year Sustain SC developed the ‘Sustainability Track’ at MX.O’s annual manufacturing conference in the Upstate. This event featured Milliken, Siemens, ZF, Michelin and others as they shared how they have used innovation and technology to reach sustainability goals across the supply chain.
What’s Next?
SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE GUIDE
Sustain SC is working with the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership to develop a Sustainability Resource Guide for Manufacturers in South Carolina.
SUSTAINABILITY AND MANUFACTURING
Sustain SC will bring regional innovation workshops across the state. Partnering with BMW and Furman University as well as the 2025 MX.O conference, Sustain SC will showcase how member companies are successfully leveraging innovation to drive sustainability.
The Economic Impact of Sustainability
Demand for sustainable technologies is on the rise in the United States and in South Carolina. In a quest to gauge the economic impact of sustainability, Sustain SC commissioned a study led by Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D., a Research Economist at the University of South Carolina. The purpose of the study was to determine the specific sustainable technology needs of South Carolina businesses and then quantify the potential economic benefits for South Carolina if those needs were met.
THANK YOU STUDY SPONSORS:
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$ 100.2B UP TO
in economic activity losses for SC over the next 10 years if sufficient access to sustainable technologies* lacks. ~ 46%
of survey respondents indicate that their revenue projections over the next decade would be negatively impacted without sufficient access to sustainable technologies*.
6.8% ~ 67%
of surveyed firms report that they are “very likely” to relocate their existing SC facilities elsewhere if they are unable to meet their sustainable technology* requirements.
percent of survey respondents also reported that their employees will need to have sustainability-related expertise in the future.
*The most commonly cited categories of sustainable technology needs among all businesses surveyed were Solar Energy, Renewable Natural Gas, Landfill and/or Organic Waste Innovations, and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure.
The doors of economic opportunity are wide open in South Carolina. It’s now more important than ever to elevate and enhance existing sustainability initiatives because the future depends on it.
JOSEPH C. VON NESSEN, PH.D. Research Economist at the University of South Carolina
ACCELERATOR 5:
Circular Economy
Reducing, reusing, repairing, and repurposing materials for production and consumption in SC not only lowers emissions and protects our natural resources, but it also creates innovative solutions, reduces costs, increases profits, and saves consumers money.
That’s why the circular economy is key to Sustain SC’s work in creating a sustainable South Carolina. We work with our members and partners to reduce waste by creating business solutions, including understanding the economics of end product demand and recycling form.
Circularity Resources
The Department of Environmental Services, SC Department of Commerce, SC Office of Resilience and Clemson University shared state-wide resources for businesses to help them improve their recycling and waste reduction efforts.
Sustain SC’s CEO Leslie Skardon and Sr. VP Cynthia Davis talk to SC Lt. Governor, Pamela Evette, during the 2024 Recycling Day at the SC Statehouse.
Recycling Day at the State House
Sustain SC was proud to participate in the 2024 Recycling Day at the SC Statehouse in partnership with the Carolina Recycling Association and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. This event provided the opportunity to meet with state lawmakers and network with businesses, nonprofits, and industry players. Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis was among the speakers and presented the Roadmap to Sustain SC.
Recycling Market Development Advisory Council and Corporate Tours
Sustain SC Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis was thrilled to join SC Representative Mark Willis and the South Carolina Department of Commerce Recycling Market Development Advisory Council for a tour of United Catalyst Corporation in Fountain Inn. The company processes scrap catalytic converters into green, sustainable minerals.
Additional Initiatives
GAP ANALYSIS
Sustain SC is working with the South Carolina Department of Commerce to conduct a state-wide recycling gap analysis and needs assessment to better understand where Sustain SC members need support in meeting their waste reduction goals to create a more circular economy.
LITTER STUDY
Working with Palmetto Pride and our member organizations, we are exploring a study to help show the need for public and private solutions in South Carolina to meet recycling needs.
FOOD WASTE
Sustain SC is working with the Department of Environmental Services to help find innovative solutions for composting in the state.
ACCELERATOR 6:
Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy
Sustain SC wants to support South Carolina in moving towards an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy sector that powers the future of our industries and contributes to the resilience of our state.
Through multi-stakeholder engagement with the private and public sector and conservation NGOs, we support cross-sector energy engagement to retain and attract industry in our state.
Sustain SC Energy Forum & RMI
Collaboration
In September, Sustain SC members and partners from across sectors gathered to preview and discuss Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) draft report on The State of Energy in South Carolina, and discuss the key tenants of creating affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in SC through our Energy Working Group.
Cross-Sector Roundtables
Sustain SC is planning quarterly in-person roundtables for next year. This is an opportunity to bring our members together from across sectors and geographies to dive into the most complex energy issues facing our state.
Energy Optimization
The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership shared its resources for helping companies become more energy efficient, and Rolls Royce shared a case study based on their successes.
ACCELERATOR 7:
Metrics and Reporting
Sustain SC is working to standardize the approach to measuring sustainability.
Approximately 80% of industries in South Carolina are actively assessing and tracking their sustainability efforts.
Sustain SC is collaborating with both industry and conservation partners to establish standardized metrics and approaches for measuring sustainability that reflect the unique needs, goals, and natural resources of our state.
Benchmarking in SC
Sustain SC released new benchmarking reports for Premium and Corporate measures that track their progress in meeting nine key sustainability indicators, including: Total Scope 1 & 2 Emissions, Scope 1 & 2 Emissions Intensity per Million Dollars of Revenue, Scope 1 & 2 Emissions Intensity per Employee, Scope 3 Emissions, Total Water Consumption, Water Consumption Intensity per Million Dollars Revenue, Water Consumption Intensity per Employee, Total Waste Generation, and Landfill Diversion Rate.
Bringing AI to Sustainability Reporting
Sustain SC formed a coalition of partners to develop a new tool to create standardized metrics and collective targets related to resilience planning, renewable energy and emissions to establish foundational industry sustainability metrics.
Supporting Suppliers
Sustain SC is working with suppliers with B2B Matchmaking events and sustainable innovation workshops to provide access to new resources and ideas to make them economically competitive and sustainable.
Reporting experts All4, Decide4Action, and Emerger
Strategies shared their resources and guides for sustainability assessment and reporting.
3RD ANNUAL SUSTAIN ABILITY SYMPOSIUM
Sustain SC was thrilled to present our third annual Symposium!
The event focused on Sustain SC’s Accelerators, using experts in the field to conduct a deep dive into the most urgent sustainability topics in the state.
The Symposium brought together sustainability leaders, government officials, conservationists, business executives, and even athletes, across South Carolina to discuss the future of sustainability in South Carolina.
Hosting a CarbonNeutral Symposium
For the first time, this year’s Symposium event was carbon neutral. Sustain SC partnered with All4 to do a Source 1, 2 and 3 assessment of all emissions using the EPA’s Climate Leadership methodology.
By using sustainable event best practices, including food waste composting, re-usable dishware, local catering and low-energy buildings, Sustain SC was able to lower our event footprint.
In order to offset the remaining carbon emissions, Sustain SC provided provided a special gift of long-leaf pine saplings to each participant, donated by Milliken Advisors
The Inaugural Ethel Bowman Bunch Sustainability Leadership Award
Sustain SC recognized Sustain SC Founder, Ethel Bunch, as the inaugural winner of the “The Ethel Bowman Bunch Sustainability Leadership Award.” Awarded annually at Sustain SC’s Symposium to the individual or organization that shows an outstanding commitment to advancing sustainability in South Carolina, the awardee has made substantial progress in bringing together commerce and conservation to benefit our people, our economy, and environment.
Honoring Our Accelerator Champions
In appreciation for our partners throughout the state, Sustain SC was thrilled to honor these key stakeholders:
RESILIENT STATE SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION
Danny Kassis, Dale Threatt-Taylor, Tom Hutto, Rob Howell, and Hope Lanier Freeman present Ethel Bunch with a plaque to commemerate her win of “The Ethel Bowman Bunch Sustainability Leadership Award”
Symposium Discussion Panels
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
National Champions for Sustainability
Exploring how sustainability plays a roll in the education of our future leaders.
CONSERVATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA —
CIRCULARITY FIRESIDE CHAT
Understanding the intersection of a circular economy, recycling & litter.
Focusing on the role of state agencies in conservation.
Dawn Staley Head Coach USC Women’s Basketball
Mary Wooley Dir. of Recruiting USC Women’s Basketball
How businesses, utilities & legislature balance the need for reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABILITY PANEL
Looking at how companies use life cycle assessments and innovation in their supply chains to become more sustainable.
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Lachlan Carey RMI
Johanna Jacobi Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technologies
Ashely Teasdel SC Dept of Commerce
Maurie Lawrence Milliken & Company
Sam Packard Siemens
Heather Shirley Smith Duke Energy
Jason Elliot SC State House Representative
Arunachalam Lakshminarayanan Rolls Royce
Dennis Kunz Benore Logistics
Suzanne Dickerson SC Competes
Our Membership Network
All4
Benore Logistic Systems, Inc.
Branham Group, Inc.
Cherry Street Energy
Colite Technologies
Davis & Floyd
Decide4Action
Delta Bravo
EPR
Fenecon
Central SC Alliance
City of North Charleston
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Conservation Voters of South Carolina
Lowcountry Land Trust
Maritime Association of SC
GEL Engineering, LLC
Greentree Land Management, LLC
HRP Associates, Inc.
JW Aluminum
Kimley-Horn
Lumenant
MainOcean Carolinas
MUSC
Samsung
Santee Cooper
SC Dept. of Agriculture
Siemens
South Carolina Mitigation Association
Tetramer Technologies
The Beach Company
Upstate SC Alliance
Water & Land Solutions
ZF Group
Mixon Seed
Palmetto Pride
SC Aquarium
SCMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
South Carolina Forestry Commission
South Carolina National Heritage Corridor
The Darla Moore School of Business
The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University
Town of Mt. Pleasant
VisionGreenwood
Our Team
Our Staff
Leslie Skardon CEO
Cynthia Davis SENIOR VP OF COMMERCE
Our 2024 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Hope Lanier Freeman Chair bp America
Dale Threatt-Taylor Vice-Chair The Nature Conservancy
Danny Kassis Treasurer Dominion Energy South Carolina
Trip Chavis
Secretary Milliken Advisors
Tom Hutto Past Chair GEL Engineering
MEMBERS AT-LARGE
John Boyd Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd
Robert Etheridge Mixon Seed
Sara Hazzard
South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance
Lilyn Hester Google
Lindsay Leonard Boeing John Lummus
Upstate SC Alliance
Chris Muckenfuss Weyerhaeuser
Travis Tarbet BMW
together.
Kristen Austin Gunter SENIOR VP OF CONSERVATION
EX-OFFICIO
Shannon Bobertz
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Sean Connolly SC Department of Transportation
Anna DeLage
SC Department of Commerce
Ben Duncan SC Office of Resilience
Clint Leach SC Department of Agriculture
Scott Phillips South Carolina Forestry Commission
Kristy Ellenberg
SC Department of Environmental Services
Ethel Bunch Founder, Sustain SC
Working in the realm of conservation science and land protection in SC over the past two decades, I’ve recognized the uniqueness of our state in both our approach and success in conservation. South Carolina has abundant, intact natural resources, a land ethic and sense of place among our landowners and citizens, and an incredible capacity for collaboration. Sustain SC has created the venue, secured the tools, and convened the players to accomplish collaborative conservation at a new scale for SC.
MARIA WHITEHEAD Senior Vice President of Land, Southeast, Open Space Institute
Responsible growth requires planning, cooperation, a shared vision and the expectation that responsible leaders across our state will work together to set a higher standard, and collectively share in the success derived from those efforts.
HOPE LANIER FREEMAN Sustain SC 2024 Board Chair Director, Communications & External Affairs, bp America
