November 2023
The climate and biodiversity crises are unfolding before our eyes, bringing with them risk to not only business operations but our very livelihoods. A good environmental sustainability program is critical for businesses now more than ever.
Regulations are catching up- the European Commission recently adopted new, common corporate sustainability reporting standards which will help companies to communicate and manage their sustainability performance more efficiently.
Specific deliverables will look different for each company (this is determined through a “materiality assessment”) but these are the general guidelines.
1. Compliance to existing environmental laws
1.1. Without this, a company could be found negligent under the law and fined, or worse shut down due to violations. Strong environmental compliance is the building block of any good environmental sustainability program.
2. Decarbonization
2.1. Using less- a lot less- fossil fuels is THE top priority of the Anthropocene. What is your company doing to source renewable energy, and create additionality (adding new renewable capacity to the grid?) Has the company made a verified science-based emissions reduction pledge? Is purchasing carbon credits or offsets a part of the strategy? Along with resource use, emissions reductions (or increases) are typically compared to a “baseline” year.
3. Resource use reduction (energy and water)
3.1. Most of us understand that switching every single internal-combustion engine car to an electric one won’t solve the climate crisis. Switching energy sources isn’t enough. In 2023 humanity will collectively use the natural resources of around 1.7 Earths. We need to reimagine our operations to reduce total demand on key natural resources like energy and water. How are we prioritizing energy and water efficiencies in our current ways of working? Buildings and offices represent huge opportunities for saving energy. Do you know if your operations are in a water-scarce area? Are you using and disposing of water responsibly in line with local capacities?
4. Waste generation and waste-to-landfill reduction
4.1. Every ounce of trash represents lost value. Time, energy, water, labor- the end of life for all of it. Sending our waste to landfill is the most wasteful and unimaginative option. How can we repurpose or reuse materials and create new value streams from old products and packaging? New markets are rapidly emerging for management of food and plastic wastes especially. Recycling streams not previously available to your operations may now be.
5. Sustainable product design and responsible supply chain
5.1. What services, raw materials, or designs do we say “no” to because they are not efficient, ethical, or economic enough? How do we help others and drive environmental accountability through our own business agreements? Do we go the extra step during development to minimize material use and maximize manufacturing efficiency and recyclability?
6. Resource productivity increase (decouple growth from resource use)
6.1. Perhaps one of the more challenging metrics, yet inevitably the key to implementing the most sustainable economy. How can we continue to grow our economy while lessening reliance on raw materials? Better yet, can we redefine economic value to include ecosystem restoration and preservation?
7. Risk and Regeneration
7.1. The climate crisis is real; with it brings increased exposure to risks related to extreme weather, energy availability/costs, and customer perceptions, to name a few. A good strategy will include a comprehensive climate risk assessment & adaptation plan.
7.2 So far, most of what has been mentioned only lessens negative impact on the planet, it doesn’t create more positive impact. This is not actually “sustainability” (a blog post for another time.) Sustainability = regeneration. Ecosystem restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction. In fact, did you know that it is the UN Decade for Restoration?
Before you get excited, make a big announcement, and then get distracted by other things- avoid sustainability becoming just another “flavor of the week” and follow a business process for rolling out strong, effective strategy.
Set your Vision and Mission for the strategy
Prioritize areas of focus and set high-level goals
Train and empower champions in applicable business areas
Refine goals, track regularly
Hold space for open communication, problem-solving, and sharing wins!
