In this episode of the "Unvarnished" video interview series, sustainability expert Lou Raiola talks about how The Vomela Companies drives change through its commitment to sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Lou, the company's Director of ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility, has long been a champion of causes that inspire social good, He drives Vomela's ESG efforts in communities nationwide while advancing the company's ESG strategy, and will be a featured speaker Oct. 3 at the Fall Forum in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

In the interview, Lou explains that sustainability efforts at Vomela have been a strategic focus for the past five years. The company, which specializes in visual communications for Fortune 500 brands, has taken a dual approach to sustainability — both internally, by transforming their operations, and externally, by aligning with clients' sustainability goals.

One of Vomela's standout projects includes the installation of the largest rooftop solar array in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, where Vomela’s headquarters is located. Additionally, the team has conducted greenhouse gas emissions analyses (Scope 1 and 2) across all their facilities, reflecting their commitment to reduce Vomela's carbon footprint.

One key takeaway from Lou's discussion is the increasing importance of Scope 3 emissions reporting, which focuses on emissions from an organization’s supply chain. Lou emphasized that over 90% of greenhouse gas emissions for large corporations often come from their supply chains, putting pressure on suppliers like Vomela to provide data on their sustainability efforts. This ripple effect of ESG accountability has led Vomela to work closely with clients and suppliers to align on sustainability goals and innovate solutions, such as alternative substrates and reducing the environmental impact of signage.

Lou says ESG is not just a box to check — it requires a full, strategic commitment from leadership to be successful.