Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
AI can help sustainability teams prepare for consultant meetings
Sustainability staff at companies often have to track new rules and gather information while handling other work.
Hidehiko Kamiyama, an adviser with about 20 years of experience in corporate sustainability reporting, says web-connected generative AI can help them get an overview of developments in about an hour.
He tested the approach using the free version of Gemini, a Google AI tool.
His suggested process is to use AI to gather information, check its answers critically, and verify key points against original sources.
Doing this groundwork can help staff ask consultants specific questions about their own company instead of asking them to collect general information.
The aim is not to replace consultants, but to make more of their time available for advice on priorities and how to explain them to company leaders.
The series will next cover using AI to research other companies and then to find information about one’s own company.
Sustainability adviser Hidehiko Kamiyama says generative AI can help sustainability staff prepare for meetings with consultants.
He recommends using AI to grasp the overall picture of a relevant issue in about an hour.
Staff can use that preparation to ask more specific questions and assess whether proposed priorities suit their company.
Kamiyama says AI can handle some research on social trends and other companies, leaving consultants more time for substantive advice.
His three-step approach is to research with AI, question its answers and verify them against primary sources.
- Who
- Sustainability adviser Hidehiko Kamiyama offers guidance for sustainability staff.
- What
- He explains how generative AI can help staff research developments before consultant meetings.
- When
- The article was published on 11 October 2026, according to the outlet’s publication details.
- Where
- Toyo Keizai published the article in Japan.
- Why
- To help staff prepare questions and use consultant time for company-specific priorities and advice.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This is not a story about consultants becoming unnecessary if AI is available.
Rather, it is the opposite.
Kamiyama says he had used generative AI regularly for about a year.
Toyo Keizai’s publication details date the article to this day.
The article text lists its public release as 06:00.
- Author
- Hidehiko Kamiyama
- Experience
- About 20 years supporting sustainability reports and external evaluations
- Preparation time
- About one hour to grasp the overall picture
- Research method
- Use AI to research, question its answers and check primary sources
- AI tools
- Kamiyama says he usually uses Claude and tested the method with free Gemini
Sources
Related news
Thales plans to build a base in Japan, media report says
Japan urges oil stockpiling as Middle East risks rise
Shimamura posts record first-half results despite summer weather disruptions
Egg prices in Japan match record high as feed costs rise
Toyota develops wheelchair that fits in a car’s front passenger seat position
Former iPhone display plant in Japan to make chip packaging substrates
Toho Gas grows Shine Muscat grapes as it expands beyond energy
Takafumi Horie argues cash users may miss rewards and save less time
Japan cruise companies target younger travellers with shorter, cheaper trips
Japan orders Prudential Life to suspend sales of new policies
Japanese brewer creates wobbly glass to encourage drinking water with beer
