CASE STUDY
From Data to Decision: How WMI Worldwide Cut Emissions by 59% and Gained Executive Buy-In
Turning a supplier sustainability compliance requirement into a culture shift and business advantage
WMI Worldwide, a boutique consulting firm specializing in custom solutions and project management, found itself facing a new challenge in 2023: comply with Microsoft’s updated supplier sustainability requirements or risk losing their preferred vendor status. With no in-house sustainability expertise, limited bandwidth, and looming deadlines, the task initially felt overwhelming.
Through their partnership with RyeStrategy, WMI not only met the requirements, but also uncovered operational changes that helped them cut total emissions by 59% since first measuring their footprint
in 2019, including a 39% year-over-year reduction from 2023 to 2024. What began as a compliance project has evolved into a source of internal workplace pride and a differentiator in client conversations.
“The RyeStrategy team stepped in and led us through the entire Microsoft supplier sustainability disclosure process.”
Nicole Shoymerman, HR and Accounting Manager, WMI Worldwide
Finding the Right Sustainability Partner
Before engaging with RyeStrategy, WMI had never completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Nicole Shoymerman, HR and Accounting Manager, was tasked with navigating Microsoft’s sustainability requirements despite having no formal background in sustainability or the GHG protocol.
“When I considered doing the carbon emissions calculations on my own I felt very much like a fish out of water,” Nicole recalled. “The language being used in the supplier sustainability webinars wasn’t built for people like me; it wasn't attainable.”
The stakes were high: WMI needed to meet Microsoft's new supplier disclosure and assurance standards, but couldn’t justify hiring a dedicated sustainability expert. The team explored a few other providers, but those solutions felt like they were built for large enterprises, not a 40-person, high-output firm with tight resources and limited time.
Nicole connected with RyeStrategy after seeing they offer low-cost sustainability disclosure support for Microsoft suppliers. From the first consultation, Nicole felt confident, “Cooper explained the requirements better than I could. He spoke in a language I could understand without making me feel like I had to get a climate science degree just to be compliant.”
Together with RyeStrategy’s team, WMI began collecting the right financial and operational data to calculate their carbon footprint.
Their footprint was assessed across the three widely recognized categories:
Scope 1 – Direct emissions from company-owned or controlled sources
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased energy
Scope 3 – All other indirect emissions across the value chain
Climate Data that Changed the Conversation
When WMI first measured their 2019 carbon footprint, they had small but measurable Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from maintaining an office space. By 2023, those operational emissions had dropped to zero, not as a surprise, but as a natural by-product of transitioning to a fully remote workforce during COVID-19 and choosing to remain remote. Without company-owned facilities, vehicles, or leased office space, they no longer burn fuel on-site or consume electricity tied to an office footprint, effectively keeping Scope 1 and 2 emissions at zero.
The data revealed the full impact:
59% total emissions reduction from 2019 to 2024
39% year-over-year reduction from 2023 to 2024
The biggest insight? WMI’s post-COVID decision to remain fully remote was drastically cutting their emissions. “We didn’t realize how much becoming remote helped until we saw the numbers. A 33% reduction in 2023 emissions from 2019 just from how our company evolved post-COVID," Nicole explained.
“We didn’t realize how much becoming remote helped until we saw the numbers. A 39% reduction in 2023 emissions from 2019 just from how our company evolved post-COVID.”
Nicole Shoymerman, WMI Worldwide
WMI’s yearly carbon emissions report in the RyeStrategy carbon management platform. From 2019 to 2024, WMI was able to reduce the company carbon footprint by 59% while fully elimination scope 1 and 2 emissions.
WMI Worldwide
Sustainability Impact at a Glance
59% total emissions reduction since first carbon footprint in 2019
39% year-over-year reduction from 2023 to 2024
Zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by maintaining a fully remote workforce
Level 1 - ACTION Emissions Reduction Badge earned from RyeStrategy
Sustainability progress now featured in internal updates, LinkedIn posts, sales materials
With these insights, Nicole and her team began reporting emissions progress at quarterly company all-hands meetings, sparking internal pride and excitement among employees throughout the company. “Sustainability is something our employees look forward to talking about now. People are proud that they’re taking action to make a difference in the world,” explained Nicole.
Externally, the emissions reporting is beginning to show up in sales materials, LinkedIn posts, and conversations with potential clients. What started as a vendor requirement has become a strategic differentiator.
“This started as something we had to do to keep an important client, but now it’s helping us build trust with future partners and our employees. It’s a differentiator,” Nicole shared about the broader impact to WMI.
Making Sustainability Part of the Story
For WMI, the key to success wasn’t hiring a sustainability expert, it was partnering with one. By choosing a specialized firm tailored to small businesses, they turned an overwhelming requirement into a streamlined, high-impact initiative.
“I’m thankful that we partnered with RyeStrategy. It saved me from having to make room for this on my plate and delay other projects I was working on,” Nicole shared. “The RyeStrategy team stepped in and led us through the entire Microsoft supplier sustainability disclosure process.”
WMI’s story is proof that even small companies can make bold moves toward sustainability when the right data, guidance, and mindset come together.
“This started as something we had to do to keep an important client, but now it’s helping us build trust with future partners and our employees. It’s a differentiator.”
Nicole Shoymerman, WMI Worldwide
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