The Business Value of Sustainability
A transition to eco-friendly practices and an ESG mindset is close at hand for everyone. My late brother, who was born to coach, always preached, “always have a plan that you can be ready to execute on.”
Environmental Reporting Bills are coming. Two are coming from Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, as he wants multi-billion dollar companies like Apple, that reside in California, to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions publicly, according to Vox. The second bill, relates to companies making over $500M a year, to report their climate-related financial risks.
These actions come on the heels of the European Union changing its reporting rules for big companies. The EU’s regulatory focus is on requiring companies to publish their environmental impacts on communities, biodiversity, and human rights. The EU Disclosure Checklist affects some 50,000 companies across the continent.
By obtaining a knowledge base, more broadly, of heat-trapping gasses or specifically, Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas emissions, like commuting to work impacts, or shipping impacts, the spotlight shifts ever so slightly away from fossil fuel extractors. This must give us pause, as literally everyone, not just the investment class, or banks that invest in oil and gas assets, are culpable.
I love the idea of the Climate Corps, and it reminds me of the Peace Corps who are still diligently harnessing hard work and youth, to make incremental changes, like building berms for the impoverished in Bahrain.
As this relates to our neighbors, our communities, and the organizations we work for, certain pillars must be appreciated, for society to stand a chance in the face of climate change:
Innovation
Companies that foster a culture of innovation should require employee input and also stay aware of emerging green technologies.
Scalability
In the beginning there is always planning. If the new widget is modular, good for the planet, and pennies on the dollar to produce, it can be scaled.
Resource Allocation
Managers that prioritize sustainability, and dedicate materials to reach goals, must have in place, those measurable objectives, for resources to keep progressing a project forward.
Measurement, Reporting, and Compliance
Staying financially transparent, and accountable through green consensus-building, and the close monitoring of regulations, are ingredients to success.
Operational Efficiency
Feeling uncomfortable at the outset of any transitioning effort is a good thing. That the natural world is connected to humanity and that it’s our responsibility to protect and take care of it for future generations, should be inspiring. Give a read to the following detailed report to see why: Water Governance and Efficiency efforts by Indigenous populations. When we involve constituencies at the outset, it makes for better operational efficiencies, as projects execute.
In the face of climate change, it’s nice to have a partner who can articulate your vision to the right audience. Climb out from under the noise, to a sunnier perch, where your hard-fought values are appreciated. At the ClimaBilt Agency, we’re in the business of amplifying the voices that are articulating positive change.