Sustainability Isn't a Department: Why True Integration Starts With People, Not Policies

In this interview, Daiane Piva from ING discusses why cross-functional collaboration is essential for embedding sustainability into the core of an organization. She highlights that when teams operate in silos, sustainability fails to take root—remaining isolated instead of becoming a shared responsibility. Daiane emphasizes that success means sustainability eventually dissolves into every function, making dedicated departments redundant as business-as-usual becomes inherently sustainable.

To dismantle silos, she points to proper governance structures, like integrated committees and shared communication channels, as critical connectors. Real collaboration happens when sustainability isn’t just a topic for select meetings but is embedded in daily decisions across departments—from finance to operations.

When asked about competing priorities between financial performance and sustainability, Daiane reframes the issue. She argues that conflict only arises when goals are viewed too narrowly or in the short term. From a broader lens, sustainability complements financial performance by unlocking long-term business opportunities and mitigating risk.

Data plays a crucial role, but Daiane warns of over-emphasis. Without the right data, organizations risk steering their strategies off course. Yet collecting and sharing accurate data remains a challenge across the industry, often draining resources instead of supporting strategy seamlessly.

Governance is another foundational pillar. ING’s ESG committee at the supervisory board level signals top-down commitment, supported by KPIs and remuneration linked to sustainability outcomes. This cascades responsibility throughout the business and reinforces its importance.

Ultimately, Daiane underscores that collaboration is human at its core. Beyond structures and strategy, it’s about empathy, understanding context, and building trust between people. That’s what turns good intentions into sustained impact.