As a part of the modern world, we are continuously facing complex challenges related to global environmental, social, and economic conditions. This has led to a growing need for sustainable practices that guarantee long-term well-being for both commercial businesses and lives on the globe.
Since green awareness has hit the earth, organizations and communities are rigorously working to achieve sustainability goals through well-structured and effective sustainability programs. The target of these programs is to reduce negative impacts on ESG factors and promote environmental, social, and economic stability through sustainable practices.
In this article, we will talk about what a sustainability program actually is, and the common steps involved in developing a sustainability program for business. This will help you to understand the intricacies of the path typically followed to design a program for a sustainable business.
What is a Sustainability Program?
A sustainability program is best referred to as a collection of practices, policies, and strategies intended to enhance the sustainability of the environmental, social, and economic aspects of various commercial organizations or communities.
Such programs aim to reduce waste and carbon emissions caused by various human activities on the planet and preserve natural resources for future generations. This eventually promotes social equity and economic stability for the global community.
The program can involve a wide range of activities. From reducing carbon emissions, reducing waste and pollution, promoting renewable energy, adopting sustainable industrial methods, shifting to sustainable transportation, and improving water and energy efficiency, to promoting social responsibility and ethical practices, it meets various aspects of a robust society. It also includes engaging stakeholders to promote sustainability values.
An example of a sustainability program by Flowserve (an industrial company)
A successful sustainability program requires a long-term commitment and cooperation among various stakeholders, including some other key elements, such as:
- Setting clear sustainability goals,
- Engaging stakeholders including employees, suppliers, customers, local communities, and others,
- Regular monitoring and reporting on key ESG metrics to track progress,
- Implementing best practices around sustainability, and
- Continuous identification of new opportunities for regular improvements.
Steps Involved in Developing a Sustainability Program in 2023
While a sustainability program is a necessity, if you are trying to build such a program, then there are certain steps that when followed can fetch a perfectly designed one.
So without further ado, here are the steps you can take to develop a sustainability program for your business or community.
1. Assess current sustainability trends and practices
Designing a sustainability plan is a difficult job due to the constantly changing landscape of regulations and social trends along with ever-changing climatic conditions. Organizations can research on emerging sustainability trends and practices along with their impacts, dependencies, and challenges.
This information will help businesses to set the issues and opportunities for the organizations to handle. Also, assessing the organization’s current sustainability practices is very essential to identify the areas in need of improvement.
2. Set sustainability goals
The next step is to set a clear, measurable, and achievable goal that aligns with the organization’s aims and core values. These goals should address sustainability in terms of environmental, social, and economic aspects.
They may include, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improvement of waste management, conservation of natural resources, promoting sustainable sourcing, fostering social responsibility, and promoting sustainable business practices.
Note that these goals may be long-term or short-term goals depending on your business requirements.
3. Strategize and set a plan
Once you have set your sustainability goals, create a sustainability plan that defines the actions, timelines, resources, and responsibilities required to achieve those sustainability goals. Sustainability plans are like a detailed list of actions that when implemented carry out your program.
Oh, and you must note that the strategy adopted for achieving sustainability goals must be integrated into the overall business strategy of your organization.
4. Engage stakeholders
You need support from your employees, suppliers, customers, and the community, for a successful sustainability program. They will participate, promote, and support the program for your specific goals.
Engagement from your stakeholders demands training, collaboration from both internal and external resources, and the need for sustainability. This education must include an explanation as to why the program is a necessary step and how it can add value to the business.
As a bonus tip, you can partner with leading sustainability consulting firms to stay ahead of the sustainability curve.
5. Implement sustainability initiatives
The next step is to determine your sustainable initiatives for each sustainability plan. These initiatives can be prioritized based on their impact, the effort required against each of them, the cost behind each, and feasibility.
These initiatives primarily are based on:
- The amount of energy used,
- Water efficiency and conservation programs,
- Waste management and prevention of pollution,
- Sustainable sourcing,
- Eco-friendly product design,
- Environmentally and socially responsible suppliers,
- The type of transportation used for the management of carbon emissions,
- Support for local communities and local farms, and
- Employee training on sustainability.
6. Monitor and evaluate the performance
Monitoring and evaluating the performance of sustainability initiatives regularly is necessary for better sustainability management. This helps to measure progress, identify risks and opportunities, and make necessary future adjustments.
To do this, first, you need to collect relevant data on your organization’s sustainability vision and values. Then analyze the data and report on sustainability performance accordingly.
7. Communicate and report progress
This is a critical aspect of sustainability management. You need to communicate the progress and outcomes of sustainability initiatives to stakeholders through regular updates.
First, identify the stakeholders, develop the report, share the report, and finally engage the stakeholders through the reporting system. Transparency and accountability will add value to the sustainability metrics of your business.
ALSO READ | A Definitive Guide to ESG Reporting
8. Continuous improvement
You can ensure continuous improvement for your sustainability practices and initiatives by learning from your organization’s successes and failures on ESG factors. You can also adapt to changing circumstances and emerging issues and certify your organizational improvement.
You can incorporate new data, the latest trends, and stakeholders’ reviews for improvements. This will help you to gain transparency and accountability and eventually build trust among your peers.
Need help?
Since its inception, Ethos Sustainability Solutions has been making ESG solutions and sustainable business a reality. We are a group of green enthusiasts who care about the planet and the long-term sustainability of your business. Ethos’ small business sustainability consulting service is designed for new and evolving businesses looking forward to developing a fast revenue-generating trade. It will prepare your team to become more sustainability-conscious and thus contribute to the sustainability plan for your company.
Our specialists can assist your small business in creating a sustainability program that will help you to stand out in the crowd, gain a competitive advantage over your rivals and attract more clients. Our well-designed small business sustainability plan helps businesses achieve their ESG goals using best practices.
Even though the trends and practices around sustainability are always changing, Ethos’ small business sustainability program ensures that your business meets the sustainability guidelines and standards. Want to know how we can help? Connect with us!