In addition, companies that haven't done so should consider implementing sustainability reporting, and adding non-traditional performance metrics that incorporate the triple bottom line, Brockett says.

One example: the level of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production. Moreover, an effective sustainability effort can't be restricted to a silo within a company. "It has to be embedded across the organization."

Finally, "pay attention," says the Manhattan Institute's James Copland. "What once was viewed as a little bit extreme," he explains, "can become best practice."

Coming later this week on CFOworld: Meeting-Season Lessons, Part Two: What's Next for Proxy Access Rules.