AS A BUSINESS, YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND YOU.

Some of this is direct and the effects can be witnessed first-hand, but equally important are the impacts that occur at a distance, perhaps as a result of your customers or the end users of your products or services.

Below is a simple six point framework that outlines an approach to environmental sustainability – a framework to REDUCE your environmental footprint and grow your business.

R  Reduce your own footprint by setting bold targets

    and delivering against them.

E  Encourage and empower your people to play an

    active role.

D  Develop appropriate products and services for the

    emerging business opportunities.

U  Understand and manage the risks to reduce your

    exposures to fines etc.

C  Coordinate and align with your internal and external

    partners.

E  Engage with our customers, your stakeholders and

    communities to work together.

The framework is meant to be a guide for those looking to make their business more sustainable, both to understand how this can be achieved, and why this is important – not only because it makes good business sense but also because it’s the right thing to do.

The first step is to get your own house in order.

A framework for environmental sustainability:

	Reduce your footprint: Find out how you can lower your energy and water use and your waste output to minimise your impact on the environment.
	Encourage and empower your staff: to make a difference at work and in the community. Staff who understand the issues and are involved in developing solutions can give your business a cutting edge.
	Develop new business streams, opportunities and products: that meet the changing needs of your customers and stakeholders and which take into account the physical and economic changes brought about by climate change.
	Understand and manage the risks: Global warming and climate change will present risks to your assets, your staff and your operation. Futureproof your business by looking at your risks holistically.
	Coordinate and align your activities: There are few issues which lend themselves to collaboration within and between organisations. Build networks to build support and encourage innovation.
	Engage with your customers and stakeholders: to build deeper relationships and partnerships which aim to understand their challenges and opportunities as a result of climate change.