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ToggleCorporate sustainability is now the way of doing business; it is no longer a fad. It means business done in a manner that does not harm the planet and that is fair to people. This implies the use of resources efficiently and respect for all.
About 80% of Fortune 500 companies now share how they’re doing this through business sustainability reports. This shows them to care about the environment and people. It also makes them more attractive to customers who value these things.
Additionally, effective sustainability programmes save money and make things run smoother. When companies seek to make money and do good, they must understand why sustainability matters; otherwise, they will not be able to build a strong future.
This blog explores the concept of sustainability in the corporate world, discussing its significance and providing insights on how to assess your company’s carbon footprint.
The concept of corporate sustainability, therefore, combines environmental, social, and economic thinking into a business. That way, companies try to earn money but also care for the planet and people. Companies want to create long-term value for all the stakeholders involved and do less damage to the environment.
DO YOU KNOW? Nearly 80% of companies had done materiality assessments in the 2024 U.S. Sustainability Reports. It is a gigantic hike compared to last year’s. This simply states that companies have finally understood the impacts on the environment.
A carbon footprint refers to the total emission of greenhouse gases by an entity. It is measured in CO₂e, the unit of carbon dioxide equivalent. Knowing your carbon footprint gives the opportunity to reduce the emissions.
First, set out what you want to accomplish. Some goals would include:
Achieve a reduction of some specific percentage of emissions.
Achieve regulatory compliance.
Enhance CSR reports of your company
Accurate data to calculate the carbon footprint is essential. This implies:
Energy Consumption: Account for the energy used in all the facilities.
Transportation Emissions: Determine the emissions from travelling and logistics within the business.
Waste Production: Determine how much waste was produced and how it was disposed of.
Measuring can become easier with carbon accounting tools such as a carbon calculator. These allow you to input data into them to view your emissions level.
DO YOU KNOW? 82% of global corporations disclose sustainability.
Good corporate sustainability reporting is essential to being open and accountable. It showcases a company’s sustainability efforts and results. This will build trust and make it better.
Carbon calculators: These are online tools that make it easy to input data and calculate the same.
Carbon Accounting Software: More advanced tools provide detailed analytics and reports.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): This method analyses the environmental impact of a product from start to end.
The OECD’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report underlines the importance of sustainability in corporate governance, which includes good governance, market practices, shareholder engagement, and corporate board roles, and aligns with sustainability goals.
CSR is often confused with green business. But CSR is broader in meaning. It is all about a company’s ethical responsibilities toward society. It focuses on long-term plans that could be helpful for the environment as well as the economy. Incorporating CSR into the business strategies can enhance sustainability efforts as well. It ensures the company adheres to the rules and helps the society too.
DO YOU KNOW? The number of N100 companies including sustainability information in their annual financial reports has stabilised since 2017, and the G250 has been down by 8 percentage points since 2020.
Initiation of corporate sustainability programmes is very difficult. Challenges include:
Resistance to change in the company.
Measuring progress is very challenging as there is no data or resource.
Finding a balance between short-term money goals and long-term sustainability plans.
While companies are becoming more aware of the importance of sustainable practices, training has become the cornerstone of this change. Amity Institute of Training and Development (AITD) offers tailored training programmes that can help organisations implement sustainable practices effectively.
Did you know? AITD focuses on the importance of integrating sustainability into business models, ensuring long-term viability and success.
AITD has business sustainability courses. They include:
Corporate Sustainability Training: They are designed to provide the employee with knowledge and skills that enable them to implement sustainability within their organisations.
Sustainability Reporting: It guides the individual on how to communicate their sustainability efforts and achievements to the stakeholders. This improves transparency and accountability.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives: Support in building CSR strategies in accordance with sustainability, which further creates a positive impact on society.
Do you know? The training programs from AITD are designed with the intent to address the emerging needs of a business towards sustainable growth.
Engagement with AITD can help you to rethink the direction of sustainability management within your organisation. By receiving professional coaching and bespoke training programmes, a business is able to work its way through complex issues such as sustainability reporting and CSR initiatives. The investment of such training equips the workforce while establishing your business as a front-runner in sustainable practice.