Anthesis acquires sustainability reporting specialist BuzzWord

Sustainability consulting group Anthesis has announced its second acquisition of the year, for an undisclosed fee. The firm has purchased US-based sustainability reporting company BuzzWord, in response to the evolving and accelerating disclosure demands on businesses relating to their net zero targets.  

Stuart McLachlan, CEO of Anthesis, commented, “BuzzWord demonstrates a best-in-class approach to sustainability reporting, combining knowledge of the regulatory landscape, data-driven analysis, and honest narratives. Val and the BuzzWord team will be strong additions to Anthesis as we navigate our clients through the complexities of regulation and into positive and purposeful stakeholder engagement.” 

Anthesis is a sustainability advisory firm, with offices in Andorra, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Bringing together more than 650 experts operating in 40 countries around the world, the firm – which holds B Corp status – works over 4,000 clients, across all industry sectors, including multinationals such as Reckitt, Cisco. Tesco, Nestlé, and Target.

BuzzWord is Anthesis’ second M&A deal to be announced in 2024, following the merger with global purpose strategy specialist group Revolt in January. With businesses increasingly expected to show they are not ‘greenhushing’ by obscuring their actual sustainability performances, this latest the deal provides BuzzWord’s clients with access to Anthesis' full suite of science and evidence-based advisory solutions, digital products and data solutions, carbon project development and offsetting solutions, and purpose-led communications and organisational transformation strategies from across its global network.

With two decades of experience working exclusively on sustainability reporting, BuzzWord uses the power of high-quality reporting to drive progress, build trust, create value, and support a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. Led by CEO Valerie Lee, BuzzWord has  supported some of the world’s most influential companies on their sustainability and ESG reporting, materiality assessments, gap analysis, and disclosure strategies. With a senior team of strategic advisors with deep technical expertise, BuzzWord’s clients include Comcast, Marvell Technology, and Paramount. 

BuzzWord’s deep understanding of the ESG landscape and expertise in leading frameworks and emerging requirements, including ISSB, SASB, GRI and TCFD, further strengthens Anthesis’ global reporting capabilities. Providing an end-to-end approach to reporting, Anthesis guides organisations through reporting strategy, goal prioritisation, data collection and disclosures to transparently communicate direction and progress, while inspiring change. 

Valerie Lee, CEO of BuzzWord, added, “Companies face an increasingly complicated reporting landscape, plus heightened expectations to articulate not only their sustainability ambitions but also credible plans for achieving them. We’re thrilled to join Anthesis, which will let us bring broader expertise to our clients. Together, the purpose-driven approach BuzzWord and Anthesis share will strengthen our ability to help our clients drive impact through disclosure and build trust through transparency.”