Businesses today are increasingly recognising the importance of sustainability efforts for a variety of reasons, including environmental concerns, economic benefits and social responsibility. The once-trend has become somewhat consistent and is generally the new norm for businesses in this day and age.
Virtually all of the world’s largest businesses now issue a sustainable report and set goals: more than 2,000 companies have set a science-based carbon target, and around one-third of Europe’s largest public companies have pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
It’s become clear that businesses need to adhere to these standards of sustainability to remain competitive and attractive from all angles. From adopting renewable energy sources to implementing circular economy practices, businesses must weave sustainability into their DNA in a myriad of ways.
What Changes Are Happening?
Green Energy
One of the most notable changes is that businesses are making efforts to embrace green energy. Solar, wind and hydropower have become go-to choices for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Installing solar panels, purchasing renewable energy credits, and investing in wind farms are just a few examples of the changes businesses are already making.
Waste Reduction
Some businesses are taking steps to minimise waste generation and implementing ways they can recycle; instead, this includes reducing the use of single-use plastics.
Supply Chains
Businesses are continually scrutinising their supply chains to ensure the responsible sourcing of materials. This involves ethical practices, looking into the logistics to reduce their transport emissions and promoting fair labour conditions, fair trade and everything else that may come into the production process.
Carbon Offsetting
To compensate for unfortunate emissions, some companies are purchasing carbon offsets. These offsets can take the form of tree planting, as most brands promise that with every purchase they will plant one tree, and that initiative isn’t going to end.
Sustainable Business Practises
More businesses are becoming more aware of the concept of a triple bottom line (committing to minimise their social and environmental impact) through multiple in-house business practices. Some of which use the newly developed business model called corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Partner with non-profit Organisations
Whether you’re interested in racial or gender equity, environmental issues, labour concerns or something entirely different, there is a nonprofit organisation that will align with your goals and form a partnership, which has become a lot more common among firms to help generate a sustainability plan.
Educate Your Employees
Educating your employees has seemed successful in not slipping back to old ways and boosting morale as they are actively doing their part to strive for a greener future.
This has been done in the form of webinars, lectures or even arranging guest speakers.
Encouraging Volunteerism
Businesses now pay for their employees to participate in activities for charities, which is called volunteer time off (VTO). This can go a long way towards empowering employees. and encourage them to make a difference with support from the business.
Who Is Taking the Greener Steps?
Digital Agencies
Like many other services, they are actively embracing sustainability efforts to integrate environmental and social responsibility into their creative processes. Today, design agencies are not only focused on crafting visually appealing solutions but also on minimising their ecological footprint.
They often employ eco-friendly design practices, use sustainable materials and consider the full life cycle of their product designs.
Design agencies are champions of effective communication, and they use their expertise to convey sustainability messages to their clients and customers, in effect promoting a greener and more responsible approach to design and branding. Playing a pivotal role in shaping a better future that’s visually engaging for businesses and consumers alike
It is important to support firms that share the same values as yourself; therefore, next time you search for a design agency in Manchester, they promote a greener future, and their actions follow.
Packaging
It’s become more apparent that industries such as fashion, fast food and supermarkets are major culprits for excessive packing waste and not only that but they are packaged in non-recyclable materials.
It’s become more apparent that changes are being made and innovations are being made in actions such as swapping plastic for paper. Businesses are listening to the demands and are continually changing their products to become more sustainable.
For example, Starbucks is a renowned business that, in all aspects, from fair trading to product innovation, is the most environmentally friendly brand and is continually evolving.
