The world population is almost eight billion. People are becoming more and more concerned about sustainability. We recognize that as a global community we share the limited resources on this planet. We are more aware than ever that all our needs depend on the environment. These include food, water, and air, as well as the raw materials we use to sustain economic peace.
Businesses are increasingly aware of how their products and practices affect the environment. Social and economic pressures have something to do with it. However, the limited nature of our natural resources also forces us to look beyond what we do. currently but how our startup can affect the future or the planet.
So what is “sustainability”? It’s basically as simple as it sounds: planning your marketing, business, and customer relationships with future resource availability in mind.
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The future of every business will depend on sustainability.
In 2015, world leaders agreed 17 global sustainable development goals. These goals range from general issues such as ending world poverty and hunger, to reducing inequalities, protecting our oceans and committing to sustainable land management practices. Both individuals and businesses can make a difference by contributing to these efforts.
Before you decide to rethink the way you do business, you can start by evaluating your startup. Look at what you are already doing to stick to a sustainable practice. Identify areas that could be improved.
This is a great opportunity to include your team. They probably have great ideas, and including them in the mission-critical sustainability mission will show them how much you value their thoughts.
Here are three vital areas you can look at to evaluate your sustainability efforts today.
1. Work for sustainable communities and economies.
Building resilient communities and economies includes efforts to eradicate poverty as well as building an equal relationship with your business. Poverty reduction is one of the 17 global goals listed above. This is a great starting point for any business looking to get involved.
Your business may be committed to donating a certain percentage of profits to a charity or organization that helps people meet their food, shelter, and income needs. This is a great way to get your team involved. Let your employees vote on possible charitable causes, or give each employee the opportunity to donate a portion of your dollars to a charity each year to an organization of their choice.
You can also evaluate your startup’s commitment to diversity, fairness, and inclusion in the workplace. This goes beyond just hiring women, people of color, people from the LGBTQ community, etc. Make sure these team members have a voice and a seat at the table. Let them lead when appropriate.
Not only will this lead to a more inclusive and sustainable work environment in the short term, but it will also potentially increase your income by as much as 19%, according to recent BCG study.
2. Think about the sustainability of the food system.
You can contribute to the sustainability of the food system in many ways. You can make a donation to nonprofits or other organizations committed to providing a future of food for the growing population of our planet. Your team can also do their part by taking a close look at where your products and ingredients come from and choosing sustainable options.
It’s important to consider the origin of your food (and the ingredients in your food) and make the most of sustainable sources. This can contribute to the health of your team, the humane treatment of animals and the health of the planet. For example, companies such as PURIS lead the field in vegetable protein, which is also environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly.
You can also see how your business obtains materials for its products. Are your raw materials putting pressure on food production in any way? If yes, are there any alternatives you can consider? Every day we create incredible innovations. See how you can improve your sourcing, packaging and shipping efforts to help secure the future of food.
3. Consider going remote and hiring gig workers.
Much has been published lately about the benefits of continuing to work remotely after the pandemic. It makes sense: physical office space expensive. What you end up paying for is massive amounts of electricity, heating and cooling, and equipment—all of which often still consume energy (and your profits) after business hours.
Switching to remote work is potentially a great economic choice for your business, as well as a great opportunity to reduce your startup’s energy consumption. It’s also a great financial and environmental move for individual members of your team. No commuting means less gas, fewer car repairs, less time wasted in traffic—you get the idea.
A remote workplace can protect your business in the future. You won’t have to suddenly come up with a plan B when the next pandemic hits! It also means community resilience. You can choose from more job candidates for your next hire. You can also hire gig workers and people from communities who might not otherwise have access to the experience and economic benefits that working for your company could provide.
While you’re there, take a look at other ways to interact with the world in digital spaces. Research the software services you use to learn about their commitment to sustainability. Try to build relationships with other companies that share your core values.
Pay attention to your marketing and presence on the website or e-commerce. How do these actions affect resources and energy, and can anything be improved? The possibilities are truly endless.
Summarizing
There are so many ways that established businesses and start-ups can incorporate sustainability awareness and effort into their practices. If you make sustainability part of your core values, you will be amazed at what one company can make a difference.
Explore ways you can help and be innovative in your approach. Think about the basics, such as your recruitment methods and the way your products are packaged and provided. Be receptive to learning new ways you can help. New ideas, technologies and innovations are constantly emerging. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate and shift gears as needed.
If you stick to a sustainable business model, your customers will notice. Your employees will be grateful to you, and the future inhabitants of the planet Earth will be grateful to you.
