Yesterday, I had a great conversation with a friend who’s about to start a new role as CFO at a large tech company. I’ve been exploring opportunities in blockchain and, at first, it seemed like we were in very different spaces. She’s focused on impact and sustainability, while I’ve been deep in the world of decentralized tech.
But as we talked, it became clear how closely these two worlds are actually connected and how often that connection is overlooked. It reminded me of tango: even when partners seem to move in different directions, there’s an underlying rhythm that guides them, if they pay attention. Sometimes innovation and impact just need someone to notice the shared beat.
Many people working hard to drive ESG goals still don’t realize how essential blockchain can be to the future of their work. After spending time in both spaces, I’m convinced: if you care about ESG, you should care about blockchain.
Here’s why:
1. Blockchain can handle the scale of ESG data. It acts as a distributed database that securely, efficiently, and transparently stores massive volumes of data. Today’s blockchains are becoming faster and more energy-efficient, and are better equipped to support the type of high-volume, auditable data ESG requires. Traditional systems just weren’t built for that.
2. It provides supply chain transparency. Many ESG targets rely on verifying every part of the supply chain. Blockchain enables full traceability of products and materials from the raw source to the final destination. This is especially critical for tracking Scope 3 emissions and ethical sourcing.
3. It enables green finance and programmable ESG-linked assets. Blockchain can support green bonds and tokenized financial products that embed ESG rules directly into the code. This makes it possible to automatically report impact, disburse funds, or measure outcomes — reducing risk and increasing accountability.
4. It helps fight greenwashing. A significant challenge in ESG is that many reports rely on self-reported data. Blockchain creates an immutable audit trail. It enables independent verification of sustainability claims rather than just taking someone’s word for it.
5. It incentivizes sustainable behavior. Blockchain enables token systems that reward positive actions. That could mean recognizing suppliers who cut emissions, customers who recycle, or employees who make greener choices. It creates a measurable, scalable incentive system for change.
6. It supports decentralized, inclusive governance. Blockchain enables new models like DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), where communities, not just corporations, can shape and manage sustainability projects. That can include everything from climate adaptation to circular-economy initiatives.
7. It solves one of ESG’s most challenging problems — trust across systems. In past ESG work, I interviewed Chief Sustainability Officers, CFOs, and others across industries. A common theme emerged: achieving Level 1 or 2 ESG compliance is relatively straightforward. But beyond that, success depends on having data and cooperation from external partners — suppliers, vendors, distributors.
And the biggest challenge isn’t just getting the data. It’s trust. Why would they share it? How do you verify it? How do you do this at scale?
That’s where blockchain can make a real difference. It removes the need for blind trust by creating transparency and built-in verification within the system.
Bringing it together
Blockchain and ESG are not separate fields. They are increasingly complementary. If we’re serious about creating systems-level impact, we need tools that can scale trust, improve transparency, and support collective accountability.
That’s what blockchain offers.
This intersection of technology and sustainability is where I’m focused. If you’re working in this space or want to explore how the two can work together, I’d love to connect.
Irna Hutabarat Athans
Blockchain for the Rest of Us™