For a long time, the term “sustainability” has been discussed in society, so the topic has become a continuous global trend. However, ramifications of this issue have emerged more recently, as is the case with corporate sustainability.
Even with this popularization, the term may still not be very clear to many consumers and even organizations. Therefore, Polyexcel has prepared complete content for you to understand the topic, from the importance of institutions’ engagement to news for the future.
What is corporate sustainability?
When we talk about corporate sustainability, we include the entire set of actions that a company can and must take to create an environmentally conscious cycle. This implies much more than placing recycling bins at headquarters, requiring extensive planning and modifications.
This is because sustainable companies are a recent issue, while most businesses have never been prepared to deal with the environmental impacts it can cause. However, as consumers become more and more aware of the topic, the industry is also moving.
The corporate sustainability strategy started to be better thought of and developed from the 2000s, with the emergence of ideals dedicated exclusively to this topic. This is the case of the acronym ESG, which stands for “Environmental, Social and Governance”.
Nowadays, a company’s ESG represents the different fronts it takes to generate more positive impacts in the socio-environmental spheres. Associations such as CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development) also have this same objective.
How can companies be more sustainable?
Talking about the topic, it may seem easy to apply environmental sustainability in business. However, any change is complicated in this context, even more so when, to solve the problem, the entire company cycle must be rethought and remodeled.
The point is that several corporate sustainability solutions can be applied little by little to reinvent the way in which what is offered is developed, produced, distributed, and consumed. The important thing is to be aware of all the areas.
To make internal changes
The first step towards having environmentally sustainable companies is to change internal practices. Some ways to do this include supporting the use of less polluting modes of transport and digitizing the processes so that less paper is used. These are small attitudes that transform the environment and employees.
To decrease polluting gases emissions
One of the biggest villains in our environment is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, one of the best alternatives for corporate sustainability is to reduce the emission of polluting gases or, at least, to compensate for it in other ways.
To make the world greener
Another way to help the environment is to simply promote the “greening” of places. This means planting more trees and increasing the organization’s green area, or even other places where planting is allowed.
To reduce waste production
As we mentioned earlier, small actions, such as diminishing paper use, can be great starts for institutions that want to be more sustainable. This could be the first step towards reducing waste production, a major problem that is becoming increasingly unsustainable for the planet.
Trends for sustainability in companies
As we have seen, there are already several ways to understand, measure, and apply corporate sustainability. However, this process is not quick. Therefore, there are action plans and trends on how environmental sustainability will be adopted in companies going forward.
According to the SustainAbility Institute, the next trends that companies must direct their energies towards to become more sustainable are:
- to integrate the ESG;
- to value human capital;
- to respond to global warming;
- to safeguard natural resources;
- to create a sustainable and resilient supply chain;
- to apply technology to sustainability;
- to protect fundamental human rights;
- to modify policies, regulations, and norms;
- to move towards stakeholder capitalism.
Thus, companies committed to environmental sustainability are required to take a more active stance towards effective change, rather than waiting for the world to change so that they can change. Places with a direct, transparent, and effective sustainable positioning will open a new path for the future.
Therefore, the movement for change must start now, as these projects occur over the long term. Thus, a more sustainable world is created, with institutions that care and value both the health of the planet and consumers.
Polyexcel is on nature’s side
Here, at Polyexcel, socio-environmental responsibility is a serious matter. Therefore, we apply policies and technologies in all our processes, making them even greener. Come meet us!
