Social and environmental issues in the world are seemingly endless. And businesses are now expected to play a more active role in society, by addressing these issues.
And since the business sector is so malleable, it is the perfect place to apply sustainable practices to make a positive social impact.
Let’s dive into 5 ways sustainable business practices are driving social change.
Encouraging Collaboration and Partnerships
Sustainable business practices have been a tremendous driving force behind business collaboration.
More and more organizations are choosing business partners such as NPOs that serve a cause related to the core purpose of the organization. If done strategically, a company can boost its positive social and environmental impact.
However, this kind of conscious partnership does not simply include handing over money anymore. True green business collaboration involves the sharing of time, skills, expertise, and knowledge. Businesses in the private sector, the governmental sector, and NGOs all have different sets of these to combine.
You may have heard of the Farmer Assistance Program, formed from a partnership between Peet’s Coffee and Technoserve. This program transformed the livelihoods of struggling coffee farmers in Guatemala. The farmers’ yields have been boosted through teaching agronomy skills, and their resilience to a volatile climate has been strengthened.
Social equity is defined as fair access to resources and opportunities. And that goes for all communities and groups.
So, how are sustainable business practices promoting this?
Well, firstly, since business partnerships are becoming more popular, many thriving businesses have made partnerships with NPOs geared toward improving social issues (e.g. homelessness, energy and food provision).
For example, Zebramobil, a car-sharing service, reinterpreted and maneuvered around existing regulations to achieve their purpose of more accessible transport. And Aviva partnered with various companies as a part of their program to move disadvantaged kids from the street into educational facilities.
Additionally, myriad job opportunities that weren’t recently available are opening up due to sustainable business practices. For example, one of the highest-paying MSW careers is in CSR. Many scholars stressing about future jobs are now able to feel more secure in their future.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Starting with the reduction of carbon emissions, there are many ways to do so.
Examples include using renewable energy sources, implementing green transportation options, and reducing waste. However, true sustainability requires a change in the overall market. A change in one product or business is not sufficient.
All businesses now have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) to continue to move towards energy management efficiency, using alternative power sources and carbon accounting. CSR has been a driving force behind making businesses more transparent and accountable for the actions that affect the world around them.
A great example of a carbon emission reduction strategy that was successful is the Nissan Leaf invention in Japan. Owners of this battery-powered, electric vehicle can purchase a transformer to connect to the car’s battery. Thus, being able to use the car’s battery to power an entire house during a power failure.
Not only is this invention carbon-neutral, but it also helps one’s home become energy efficient!
Fostering Innovation
Innovation. This word is thrown around within the business sector. But what is innovation? Specifically concerning sustainable business.
Innovation includes the development of new, fresh ideas. In this case, a green business could work towards creating eco-friendly technologies and products. Or swapping out energy-draining, carbon-releasing, environmentally-depleting equipment for something greener!
Integrating sustainability into an existing business structure will, indeed, look different depending on the individual business. But ultimately, the goal is to be open to change.
Innovative, sustainable change is better for the environment. But if you need more convincing, it can increase one’s revenue, lower one’s expenses, and improve one’s brand reputation.
Millennials, specifically, are driving brands to practice social responsibility. Businesses are being driven to change due to forced accountability. And it’s working. For a business to maintain a following, they are required to become more sustainable.
Promoting Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Chains
Other important questions businesses have begun to ask are:
- Where do our resources and raw materials come from?
- How are they being manufactured?
- Are our suppliers adhering to ethical and sustainable practices?
- And what is the environmental impact of our shipping methods and logistics?
With green business, what you want to aim towards to circular economy. Reusing, restoring, reprocessing, and recovering materials is no longer a choice. It’s a necessity.
This regenerative model is a great sustainable practice that is driving social change in the form of promoting sustainable consumption and protecting natural resources. Instead of waste, a circular economy keeps products, components, and materials in motion.
Exceeding our environmental thresholds is creating domino effects within the natural and societal environment. And both businesses and consumers are no longer ignoring the threat of climate change.
Timberland recycles tires to make shoes. Aquazone upcycles wastewater into fertilizer. And many fast-food companies have switched to reusable packaging.
And these small steps are leading to a big change.
