Although an ever-pressing issue that is only getting more prevalent as the years pass, climate change also presents an opportunity for business strategy and management. A massive industry has built up around sustainability in recent years and demonstrating innovation and sustainable target setting makes your organization appear more attractive to prospective clients and stakeholders. Your sustainability could be the USP that puts you over the edge when it comes to the competition.
Sustainability can be incorporated into all your processes, from your office equipment to travel and daily operations. Here, we’ll be focusing on the areas where it can make the most profound and profitable impact.
TransportationÂ
If your business involves transportation in any capacity, there are steps you could be taking to make it more sustainable. Invest in sustainable fleet management with greater fuel efficiency and by investing in electric vehicles. You can also help employees reach lower carbon footprints by encouraging public transport or reducing daily commutes via a hybrid contract. If you regularly send your employees on business trips, meanwhile, consider using empty leg flights on private jets over business class flights.
Material sourcingÂ
Sustainable sourcing is the best way of letting your customers and clients know that you value where your materials come from as much as they do. For example, if you are a company that makes bottled drinks, it might be cheaper to import plastic bottles from abroad but why not upcycle bottles from a local company instead? The costs will be higher, but the sustainable brownie points you’ll earn will allow you to position your product as a more premium option. Weight affordability against sustainability with all your suppliers and see where positive changes can realistically be made.
Limit waste and set goalsÂ
There are so many small things you could be doing to limit the waste created by your business. Start by carrying out a waste audit and detailing every piece of waste that is generated by your business daily, weekly, monthly, and annually. Then think about practical solutions for preventing this waste, reusing materials where possible and instigating a more thorough and demanding recycling program.
Carbon offsettingÂ
Sometimes, certain carbon emissions cannot be fully eliminated, particularly in sectors like construction. But investing in carbon offsetting can be a great asset for your organization. Carbon offsetting is essentially a means of buying carbon credits to make up for any greenhouse gases you might have generated. The theory is that you’re removing the same amount (or more) carbon from the air via these credits than you have generated via your business. These credits can be spent to plant more trees, build renewable energy infrastructure and plenty more besides.
