MICHAEL D. HUGHES · NEW YORK
Sustainability strategy, built with technology.
I work where sustainability meets technology, building the platforms, products and programs that help global companies, the United Nations and climate startups turn commitments into results.
Sustainability strategy
Designed and scaled sustainability programs across 100+ countries for technical and functional users
Digital products
Built digital products and platform roadmaps, from global software tools to custom supplier upskilling products
AI for impact
Applied AI to sustainability, co-authored a UN guide on it, and now putting it into practice with founders
$10M
In impact projects delivered from inception to global rollout
5,000+
Organizations engaged across my programs and campaigns
100+
Countries where my work has operated
1 → 120
Grew a global team from a single person to 120 people working in their local communities
My journey
Fourteen years turning sustainability ambition into programs that work, first inside Accenture and the United Nations, now alongside founders.
2012 · The foundation
Digital strategy
Worked across the development and deployment of emerging technologies for global clients at Accenture.
2016 · The pivot
Technology and sustainability
Built my own graduate degree in technology and sustainability, taking my technology expertise into mission-driven projects.
2020 · The build
Global sustainability programs
Scaled Accenture’s UN Global Compact partnership to $10M across 100+ countries, and led North America’s sustainability strategy team.
2026 · Now
Impact startup advisory
Helping climate, energy and impact founders with go-to-market, partnerships and scale.
FEATURED RESEARCH
What I’m thinking about
Spotlight · Lead author · developed with the UN Global Compact
Generative AI for the Global Goals
A guide for private-sector leaders on where AI can speed progress on sustainable development, translating technical applications and climate science into decisions companies can act on.
CEO Study · 2025
Unlocking the Next Era of Sustainability Leadership
How CEOs are keeping sustainability on course through geopolitical and technology shifts.
Policy · 2024
Policy Enablers for Private Sector SDG Acceleration
The policy unlocks that would help businesses build new markets for sustainable development.
Stock take · 2023
SDG Private Sector Stock Take
Where business progress on the Global Goals stands, and the regulatory headwinds in the way.
I've shared this work at the World Economic Forum, UN Climate Week, Web Summit, GreenBiz and the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit. Speaking →
What I'm working on and tinkering with
Fall 2026
Startup advisory
AdvisingHelping climate, energy and impact founders with go-to-market, corporate partnerships and scale-up plans.
Questions from Friends
A new series of conversations and stories about building and keeping friendships as adults, on Instagram, YouTube and Substack.
Launching this fall
Creative collaborations
On setEditorial and commercial modeling in New York, working alongside photographers, stylists and designers.