Environmental sustainability
What is environmental sustainability?
Environmental sustainability is the balance generated by the harmonious relationship between human beings and the nature that surrounds them and of which they are a part, and that this relationship remains over time, that is, it is sustainable.
What does environmental sustainability entail?
One of the reasons that support environmental sustainability is the promotion of a culture that makes it possible for people to become aware of the environmental impact of their activities, of the products and services offered by industries and of daily activities.
It involves promoting economic development and achieving it, but without threatening or degrading the environment, that is, the impact on the environment must be minimal. In this way, natural resources are not compromised, both for present and future generations.
What are the advantages of environmental sustainability?
Some advantages of environmental sustainability, according to Revitaliza Consultores, at the level of a business organization are related to:
● Adhering to companies' environmental sustainability commitments generates rationality in management.
● Promotes the participation and trust of all those who make up the organization.
● Companies that apply environmental sustainability measures generate brand image and eco-friendly prestige.
● By complying with environmental regulations, you can avoid incurring crimes, sanctions, fines or lawsuits.
● Helps companies improve positioning regarding possible tenders, subsidies and financial resources.
What is sought with environmental sustainability?
Environmental sustainability seeks to protect the environment where man develops and minimize to the greatest extent possible the effect or impact of human activities on it. Takes special interest in: Water care: reasonable water consumption must be made. In the face of scarcity, savings must be considered mandatory in human and industrial behavior. Energy consumption: the use of new energy sources that have less impact on the environment (wind and solar energy). It is important to promote a culture of energy saving.
Fuel consumption: minimize fuel consumption, promote the sharing of vehicles, bicycles, etc.
Recycling: place recycling containers in easily accessible places and with clear signage of the material that must be deposited in each of them. It is important to take advantage of the waste generated to give it a new use.
What environmental sustainability strategies should companies and organizations adopt? In 2015, 193 countries agreed on the 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which aim to build a more equal and fair world, as well as stop the advance of climate change by 2030. Although the challenges are multiple, these goals define economic and social development in the future. , in a
environmental sustainability framework. The truth is that companies can benefit greatly by putting strategies on their agenda that point in this direction. This is a process that not only challenges businesses, but also individuals who are changing their consumption patterns in search of more environmentally conscious products and services. A report from the Business and Sustainable Development Commission revealed that SDG-related business models could open economic opportunities worth up to $12 trillion and increase employment by up to 380 million jobs by 2030.
In this sense, in order to benefit from this productive transformation, as well as to help in the transition towards a green economy, some of the environmental sustainability strategies that companies can adopt are:
● Economize the use of energy and begin to use renewable alternatives: review the infrastructure of the spaces and the use of
existing energy flows and implement other types of sources not based on fossil fuels.
● Taking advantage of local resources: buying from local suppliers saves energy in transportation, while promoting
development of the communities where the companies are located.
● Circular economy principles: moving towards the elimination of waste is not only a more natural model, but also a more sustainable one. It represents a reduction in the excessive extraction of natural resources and environmental pollution.
● Ecological transportation management: it is important that company managers begin to promote sustainable transportation practices,
implementing different policies with your staff, so that everyone is part of the transformation. For example, motivating employees to commute by bicycle, carpool or use public transportation.