Micro to Macro: How to Actually Move Forward in the Green Transition

From ambition to delivery, using microgoals, practical project pathways, and strategic reflection to create meaningful sustainability progress.

We Need Big Goals: But We Also Need a Way to Get There

In the world of sustainability, ambition isn’t the problem. We see it every day: organisations aiming for net-zero, circular operations, climate resilience, and more.

But when it comes to actual delivery, big goals alone aren’t enough.

What teams need is a clear structure to translate ambition into action. At Colectivo, we help organisations do exactly that through a behavioural framework built on two powerful layers:

🧱 Microgoals: Small, focused steps that create clarity and momentum

🌱 Macrogols: Long-term outcomes that give direction and meaning

Balancing both is what moves strategy forward, and in this blog, we’ll show you how to apply that mindset through real projects, funding pathways, and mid-year reflection.

Microgoals vs Macrogols: Why the Difference Matters

Microgoals are not just “smaller tasks.” They’re a behavioural design tool.

They help:

• Break complexity into something teams can actually act on

• Build engagement by showing visible progress

• Turn strategy into day-to-day movement

Macro goals (like net-zero or full ESG integration) are important, but without short-term clarity, they often stall out.

That’s why we encourage teams to ask:

🟩 What’s the next meaningful step we can take, right now?

🟩 What would success look like this month, not just by 2030?

Choosing the Right Path: From Quick Wins to Long-Term Strategy

To help organisations turn this mindset into action, we offer three grant-supported project pathways, each one aligned with where you are on your green transition journey.

🟢 2-Day Advisory Services: 100% subsidised for clients of Enterprise Ireland, thanks to the Climate Action Voucher. This option is ideal for fast, team-wide activation and drafting of initial sustainability action plans. Businesses can benefit by setting microgoals such as raising awareness or launching a small internal sustainability effort.

🟢 7-Day Consulting Services: 80% subsidised for clients of Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices. Work with us over 3-6 months to define sustainability priorities and create a clear roadmap. Our 7-Day format is focused, actionable and tailored, perfect for building chunking, targeted goals.

🌱 Company Training, Innovation Pilots and Corporate Strategy Building: 50% subsidised for clients of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, thanks to the GreenPlus grant.GreenPlus supports longer-term projects that scale your sustainability strategy across teams, helps you bridge the gap between intentions and actions, and provides a space to pilot new initiatives with the support of our experts

These supports aren’t just about funding, they’re about choosing the right scale and speed for your organisation’s context. The key is knowing where you are now, and which path keeps you moving.

Mid-Year = The Perfect Moment to Reflect

We’re nearly halfway through the year. For many teams, that means two things:

• The pressure to show tangible progress

• The need to course-correct before it's too late

At Colectivo, we work with teams to run strategic ESG retrospectives, short, guided workshops designed to get clarity on:

✅ What’s working (boosters)

🚧 What’s blocking progress

🧱 Which microgoals are gaining traction, and which macro goals need a refresh

These retrospectives help teams realign, so they don’t just keep moving, but move with purpose.

They’re especially valuable for:

• Teams midway through GreenStart or GreenPlus

• Organisations about to publish ESG or CSRD disclosures

• Leadership groups preparing for H2 planning

Because goals don’t deliver themselves. But reflection builds the clarity, focus, and energy to achieve them.

📣 Ready to Move From Intention to Delivery? We’re here to help, whether you’re just starting your green journey or scaling an established ESG strategy.

📩 Learn more about our projects and workshops: www.colectivo.ie 

📅 Want to run a strategic ESG retrospective with your team? Email us at hello@colectivo.ie to book a session.

Let’s build momentum, one smart block at a time.