Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue for executives, as environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, and resource lack directly impact populations and businesses around the world. In the Stanford Social Innovation Review, we can read that “more than 90% of CEOs state that sustainability is important to their company’s success”. We see a growing pressure on organisations and their stakeholders to build a sustainable ecosystem. Investors, employees, and customers all play a key role. As industry experts, we would like to propose some of the best practices to help you succeed on your sustainable journey.
Educate employees on sustainability
One of the most important things a company can do to become more sustainable is to educate its employees on sustainability topics. By increasing employee awareness of the issues, you can create a workforce that is committed to finding ways to reduce the company’s environmental impact. There are a number of ways to do this, including hosting educational seminars or workshops, circulating articles about other sustainable ecosystem or blog posts on the topic, or even offering incentives for employees who come up with sustainable solutions.
Establish a sustainable supply-chain
One way businesses can operate more sustainably is by establishing sustainable supply chains. This means working with suppliers who have implemented policies and practices that are environmentally and socially responsible. It also means assessing the environmental impact of your supply chain and looking for ways to reduce it. For example, you might switch to using recycled materials or sustainable packaging.
Collaborate on sustainability initiatives
Another way to make businesses work together to become more sustainable is by collaborating on sustainability initiatives. This could involve anything from sponsoring a community garden to starting a recycling program at your place of business. By teaming up with other businesses, you can pool your resources and make a bigger impact. Plus, you’ll be able to raise awareness about sustainability issues among your employees, customers, and the general public.
Advocate for sustainable policies
Finally, businesses can connect with each other to advocate for sustainable policies. This could mean working with local officials to implement measures like energy-efficiency standards or green building codes. Or it could involve partnering with like-minded businesses to lobby for state or federal policies that support sustainability efforts. By using our collective voice, we can help create positive change that benefits us all—now and in the future.
There are a number of simple yet effective sustainability solutions companies can implement in order to reach their ESG objectives. By educating employees on sustainability topics, switching to renewable energy sources, working closely with their supply chain to make it sustainable, participating in sustainability initiatives and policies businesses can significantly reduce their environmental footprint and help create a sustainable future for us all.
