What is Your Business Case for Sustainability?

As we have discussed in recent blog posts, one of the main challenges in implementing a business sustainability plan is linking sustainability concepts to business value.  While sustainability unto itself is a noble business effort, companies are primarily in business to deliver returns to their stakeholders.  Defining a specific value proposition for each business sustainability initiative is one of the keys to success.   As sustainability consultants, we often ask clients: “What is driving business sustainability in your organization?” Speaking with a client just recently, they identified their largest business driver was to reduce the business’s overall carbon footprint.   On the other hand, according to an Aberdeen Group study, The ROI of Sustainability: Making the Business Case, top performing organizations view sustainability as a "must have" strategy for long term business viability and success.  The top drivers for business sustainability implementation identified in the study include:   •    Desire for Social and Environmental Stewardship – 56% •    Increase or Maintain Brand Reputation – 48% •    Need for a Competitive Advantage – 46% •    Stakeholder Pressure – 29% •    Rising Energy Costs – 22% •    Present or Expected Regulatory Compliance Mandates – 22%   The  post, How One Small Business Cut Energy Use and Costs, articulates in detail the cost savings and benefits derived from sustainable business practices. While many organizations may have a strong corporate desire to demonstrate environment stewardship and corporate responsibility, companies most often have to make a strong business case to justify time and resources.  Stakeholders, regulation, supply chain risk, and other factors weigh heavily in the business case for sustainability.  Click here to realize your business case for sustainability.   

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".