SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Sustainability has become a key component to any successful business. Here’s everything you need to know about sustainability in business.
Link copied
Today, sustainability is not just a business trend. It is a business approach that brands use to focus on their profitability while considering the environment. In the presence of these changes, organizations cannot continue to operate and pay little attention to how they affect the climate and society. Recent reports on exceeding the environmental threshold add to this pressure.
However, sustainable businesses see this pressure as an opportunity to establish sustainability goals. Everyday, small and large companies alike are realizing that undertaking sustainability efforts gives them a competitive edge. But what does sustainability in business mean? Why is it so important? What does it look like in practice and how can business embrace it? Let’s dive in and explore them!
Sustainability is more than just going green. It is the efforts the company takes to protect the environment and the well being of the society. Sustainability in business allows the business to balance financial success with environmental and societal concerns.
The three major pillars of sustainability are environmental, social and governance. Sustainability enables organizations to balance their short-term gains and long-term consequences. These practices could include reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The use of eco-friendly also helps promote sustainability. Promoting diversity through equity and inclusion is also a good way to improve sustainability within your business.
To put it simply, sustainability offers a shared value opportunity. This opportunity enables your business to go ‘good’ in the environment while still doing well financially. Mainly, it allows the business to focus on the three P’s; profit, people and the planet.
The world has become unpredictable, thanks to the adverse climatic conditions and depleting natural resources. These changes continuously impact energy supply which often disrupts business operations and supply chains. Therefore, businesses have to rethink their model of operations and incorporate sustainable measures to limit these effects.
In the business world, sustainability allows you to remain competitive. Research reveals that 71% of employees seek employers who care about the planet. Therefore, undertaking these efforts ensures that you attract top talent to your company.
According to PWC, 80% of consumers are willing to pay a premium price for brands that produce eco-friendly products. This reveals that more consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their actions impact the environment. Sustainability is now a non-negotiable for brands that want to stay in business.
Investors have recognized this trend and are increasingly becoming more attracted to sustainable brands. In 2025, investment in ESG assets is estimated to hit USD 53 million. Therefore, if you are looking to grow your business through investment, sustainability is the way to go.
Integrating sustainability practices allows the business to enjoy various benefits. These includes:
One of the key pillars of sustainability is limiting overconsumption to conserve scarce resources. Therefore, this allows your business to cut costs. In turn, this also improves your operational efficiency, increasing returns and profitability of the business.
Investors, customers and employees stick to brands who share their core values. Engaging in sustainability measures and initiatives will not only attract new customers but also allow you to retain your customer base. In addition, your business will easily attract and maintain top talent due to an increase in employer’s appeal.
The government is continually expanding corporate SDGs and regulations. Implementing sustainable solutions allows you to stay ahead of the curve. Therefore, you should continuously check new regulatory requirements, benchmark with industry leaders and report your ESG performance to avoid legal repercussions.
Here are some key steps you can take to implement in your business sustainability strategies:
Evaluate the effect your business has had on society and the environment. Look for all the areas which you may have lagged behind and point out what needs to be enhanced.
Empower your employees, customers and partners to be part of the sustainability process.Having more support from stakeholders ensures success of the sustainability strategy.
Set clear sustainability goals that allow you to effectively communicate your objectives. These goals could include decreasing the organisation’s environmental impact or increasing the level of its participation in social concerns.
Evaluate all your business operations from sourcing raw materials, to manufacturing and waste management. Find ways to incorporate more sustainable practices into each step.
This ensures you source sustainable raw materials which aids in making your brand eco-friendlier.
In the long run, you should invest in technology that makes your business more sustainable. This could include investing in renewable energy sources, or purchasing energy efficient equipment.
Sustainability is an ongoing process. Regularly review your progress and adjust your strategy as needed. Celebrate your successes and learn from your challenges.
Implementing sustainability goals can be a daunting task. The initial cost can be high or you may also experience resistance from your employees or other stakeholders. Additionally, it can be challenging to measure the success of your progress.
However, you should view sustainability as an opportunity rather than a challenge. It is important to communicate your sustainability goals and progress clearly to all the stakeholders. These invites support making the goals more attainable. You may have to consider securing a leadership buy in to help champion the change within the company.
Sustainability is no longer a trend but a critical aspect of any success brand. Despite all the difficulties of the process, the advantages exceed the shortcomings. Therefore, you need to invest in the right skills and knowledge to be successful. To learn more, engage with our sustainability speakers and make a significant change to ensure the success of your business.
Contact us
After Dinner Speakers
Contents
