January 25, 2022
A sustainable business is one in which profitability, care for the environment and social involvement are in harmony. The development of a sustainable business involves, among other things, reducing any negative impact on the environment and the economic use of resources. There are many ways in which a business can become sustainable: fighting pollution, promoting waste reduction and recycling, conserving natural resources, using sustainable materials, increasing the life of products, and environmentally friendly design.
The market is the strongest institution on earth, and business is the strongest entity in it. Businesses transcend national borders and have resources that go beyond many national states. Businesses are responsible for the production of the buildings in which we live and work, the food they care for, the clothes they care for, the cars they care for, the energy that drives them, and the next form of mobility that will replace them (Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2018).
The importance of sustainability increased for businesses since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, 41% say it’s become ‘much more important and another 30% a ‘little more’ important.
To address the challenges of environmental degradation is essential to change the way we do business. To survive, many entrepreneurs reinvented their businesses and were taking this opportunity to put sustainability as a priority in the new business model.
Here are 3 things you need to know about sustainable business in 2022:
1. Sustainable businesses will be the future.
Instead of waiting for a change in the market to create incentives for sustainable practices, today's sustainability leaders are the very companies that started creating those changes to enable new forms of business sustainability long ago. Among the first measures they took were those that focused on reducing unsuitability. It is now witnessing a transition period in which an even larger number of companies are taking steps to create sustainability.
2. Sustainability management gives you a competitive edge.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) was a response to societal pressure on companies to make an impact. Now, through sustainability, companies seek to improve their competitive position by correlating sustainability with corporate strategy, which translates into operational efficiency, strategic direction, and market growth.
3. Investors consider ESG investments safer and more stable bets.
Source: Gartner.com
Alongside operational efficiencies and market growth, improving access to capital is another key reason businesses are emphasizing sustainability. With growing concerns about climate change, national security, supply chain dependence, and diversity, ESG investments have become increasingly popular with investors. This is because investors who use ESG in their decision-making can invest sustainably while maintaining the same level of return as they would with a standard investment approach. Recent research shows that 85% of investors considered ESG factors in their investments in 2020. This highlights the importance of managing financial stakeholders 'perceptions of their companies' ESG performance. Organizations with low corporate sustainability indices are seen as risky investment proposals. (Source: Gartner.com)
Nicoleta Talpes is an entrepreneur, strategic communications expert with a 14+ year track record of advising companies and startups. European Climate Pact Ambassador with strong expertise in communication for sustainable development, developing projects in order to inform, inspire and support climate action. Starting January 2022 she has joined The Private Investment Group team with a mission to mobilize capital for building a more global sustainable business environment and to make a positive impact on global society through the private sector.