Sustainability is a word that has been trending for quite some time now. People have started sustainable lifestyles, sustainable fashion, sustainable products of various types, sustainable travelling and much more. Going sustainable has become important now. Before, people wouldn’t think twice about resources. Now, the times have changed. People are more conscious of the environment and are choosing more sustainable options every step of the way.
The truth is, there is no planet B. It’s important to make conscious choices for the environment. The attitude of “I don’t care about the environment”, doesn’t work anymore. It’s also not only about the environment anymore. The fact is, your choice defines the air you breathe and the lifestyle you live.
What does ‘sustainability’ mean in business?
Many organisations and huge companies have incorporated sustainability as the goals to accomplish. At a time, it was just a CSR activity. But now, it has become equally important as any other agenda in their business plan. In a recent McKinsey survey, 70 percent of respondents said their companies have a formal governance of sustainability in place.
Sustainability in business means doing business in a conscious manner without negatively impacting the environment. The business has to make choices that are positive and benefit the environment, company and the society as a whole in the long run. Businesses don’t have a choice anymore. They have to be sustainable, there’s no other way around. When businesses refuse to take responsibility, problems such as environmental degradation, inequality, and social injustice can arise which affects the brand altogether.
When making business decisions, sustainable enterprises evaluate a wide range of environmental, economic, and social concerns. These businesses keep an eye on the impact of their activities to make sure that short-term gains don’t become long-term liabilities. Sustainability in business can mean:
- In the manufacturing process, using sustainable materials
- Supply chain innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Utilising renewable energy sources to electrical infrastructure
- Education grants for local youngsters are being sponsored
- Opting for more environmentally friendly products on a daily basis (such as cloth towels over paper towels, bringing their own water bottles instead of the plastic ones, etc.)
Examples of sustainability businesses
Leading companies and business organizations of the world, have started taking sustainability as an important and unavoidable target. Some of the examples of sustainability in businesses is as below:
- Apple – Apple’s sustainability campaign is: “The products you love also love the planet.” The company has been carbon neutral since 2020. By 2030, the plan is to make their products the same way too. The company achieves sustainability in the following ways :
- The antenna lines are made from up cycled water bottles
- Daisy the robot at Apple disassembles iPhone into recyclable parts
- 100% recycled gold in plating of main logic board and wire in front camera and rear cameras
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
- 100% recycled tin in solder of main logic board and battery management unit
- The company uses 75% less single-use plastic in packaging compared with 2015
- Starbucks – In 2020 Starbucks committed to a resource-positive future, formalizing environmental goals to cut its carbon, water, and waste footprints by half. As a progression against those goals, the company commits to Carbon Neutral Green Coffee and to conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50%, both by 2030. By 2025, the company wants every customer to be able to either use their own mug easily or borrow a ceramic or reusable to-go mug from their local Starbucks. Starbucks is also planning, by the end of next year, to let customers use their own personal mugs at every Starbucks in the United States and Canada, even if they order ahead or use the drive-thru.
- Google – Google as per usual, is ahead of the game. Their data centres use 50% less energy than most and 91% of total waste is diverted from landfills. They are also known advocates for the environment. They contribute to the protection of critical marine habitats by providing tools for sustainable fisheries.
When we see big companies work toward sustainability, it motivates us to do the same with our company and it should make you want to start making conscious choices too. Even one person can make a change. Once someone starts it, others are bound to follow. Your company could be that!
