3 easy ways to start introducing more sustainability into your business
For many, beginning to introduce sustainability initiatives into their business feels like a huge undertaking. It doesn’t have to be. At least not at the beginning. If you haven’t developed a corporate strategy with regards to sustainability or are looking for some ideas that can be easily implemented, look no further.
Sustainability is often divided into three separate categories of environment, society and governance somI have made a suggestion for each of these areas:
Environment
1. Energy usage
Collectively try to find ways to lower your energy usage
Look at electricity bills from the same period for the previous year. Decide what you will do in order to lower your usage: reduce the overall amount of excess lighting where practicable, switch to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, turning heating down 1 degree or changing timers, begin a “switch off” energy programme etc. Some businesses make this a competition where departments decide themselves from a list how many of these initiatives they will adopt and compete against each other to lower their usage (percentage difference from previous year is compared as the basis for “winning”). Others brainstorm and collaborate together collectively and choose just one or two changes.
Society
2. Give back to your community
Choose a local charity to develop a relationship with and contribute towards
Most sustainable businesses develop a relationship that is more than just giving money (although it usually involves some sort of donation as well). Many allow employees to volunteer their time to the charity. Others donate their expertise or help train charity employees or develop programmes with them.
Governance
3. Inclusive Leadership
Consider who is privileged and excluded in your business and increase accessibility to information
A number of sustainable businesses develop employee engagement and education programmes in order to ensure that as much information as possible is shared about the company in ways that everyone can access and understand.
