Solution 1: From missing or generic to explicit and actionable content

Module III showed how sustainability-related content may be missing, implicit, or expressed in generic terms that fail to guide action. This solution focuses on making such content explicit and actionable, so that it can guide decisions and behaviour in practice.

1. Make requirements explicit

The first step is to make missing or implicit sustainability-related content visible and translate it into clear contractual requirements. This means defining what needs to be done, by whom, and under what conditions.

2. Connect requirements to the points of action

Making requirements and commitments explicit is not sufficient on its own. To guide action in practice, they also need to be connected to the points where decisions are made and work is carried out.

This includes placing requirements at the appropriate points of action:

• product level (specifications, materials, traceability)
• operations and process level (how work is carried out)
• supply chain level (requirements for suppliers)

3. Make them actionable

Finally, requirements need to be actionable and capable of being followed in practice. This includes ensuring that they are understandable, responsibilities are clear, and that compliance can be monitored or verified. If they cannot be acted upon or followed up, they are unlikely to drive action.

When requirements and commitments are made explicit, clearly defined, and connected to the points where decisions are made and work is carried out, they are more likely to guide behaviour and support implementation.

This creates a bridge to the following solutions, which focus on ensuring that requirements not only exist and are well placed, but are also clearly understood, owned, and usable in practice.