The list of reasons to implement sustainable practices has grown considerably more than it simply being the "right thing to do". There's obvious environmental and social benefits, a rapidly growing economy around sustainable products and services, and brand recognition for those who demonstrate their commitment through action.
Even though the benefits of sustainable practices are well documented and the results speak for themselves, many organisations are still reluctant to get with the program. This does not mean that organisations should be jumping into sustainability programs haphazardly, but there are some misconceptions and excuses still being used to prevent progress.
Below is a list of the key issues and how to address them to get the ball rolling.
Misconceptions/Excuses | Response |
"Sustainability programs require a massive upfront investment". | Committing to sustainability doesn't mean that every organisation has to build a renewable energy facility or transition its operations to net-positive overnight. We can focus on free and low cost programs initially to educate our workforce about sustainable practices and build a company culture that is invested in improving its ESG outcomes before implementing any high cost initiatives. |
"We would need a whole sustainability team to manage our programs and commitments". | Sustainability works best when it is a fully integrated process, meaning it shouldn't be the sole responsibility of any one person or team. To have sustainable sustainability practices, organisations need to integrate the processes and requirements through all roles and practices. This prevents the establishment of silos and spurs collective responsibility for the outcomes. |
"It's not worth thinking about until legislation requires us to implement measures". | The legislation surrounding sustainability is changing rapidly worldwide, much of which will require planning and organisational adjustments to abide by. This means that the longer an organisation waits, the harder it is going to be to catch up with the changes. It is best to be proactive and understand the requirements that may not be as far away as you think. |
"Our people won't get on board with the changes". | The lack of buy in from employees can be addressed by aligning sustainability with the company's values and business priorities. It is also important to give employees an opportunity to voice their concerns and address any misconceptions that they may have about the change. Engaging employees in the decision making process and incorporating their feedback will help them take ownership of the process and support the implementation process. |
"We don't have the skills and can't find anybody to hire". | There is an increasing number of free and cost-effective toolkits, reports and information available online which can help organisations take their first steps. If finding the resources yourself seems overwhelming, book a call with a specialist who will be able to point you in the right direction and help you take the first step. |
"Our budget is already stretched, we can't afford to invest in sustainability". | When it comes down to financials, you may find that your organisation actually can't afford NOT to invest in sustainability. By undertaking a cost benefit analysis, many companies may find that it will cost them more in fees/credits, equipment and machinery modifications, obsolete service offerings, and insurance than it would to implement sustainability measures. Undertaking a cost-benefit analysis will help companies decide on what is best for them by outlining the pros, cons, risks and opportunities. |
"We are a private organisation, our stakeholders don't care if we are sustainable or not". | Even if your stakeholders don't have an interest in your sustainability activities, it's likely that your staff and customers do. The vast majority of job hunters are seeking employers that have an active sustainability presence. Sustainability is a key factor in employee attraction and retention. Similarly, consumer trends show that customers will discontinue buying from brands that have poor or misleading sustainability programs. |
"It's just not a priority at the moment". | The climactic, environmental, economic, and social landscapes are changing rapidly. It is unwise to wait for this change to cause unrecoverable business damage before actions are taken to become sustainable. |
Delaying sustainable actions is like sitting on a runaway train and hoping somebody else pulls the break before you fly off the tracks - it's not going to get better by ignoring the problem. Like any business risk or opportunity, organisations need to address the concerns, educate and empower their people, establish processes, and get on with it.
If you don't know where to start, book a FREE consult with one of our specialists who will help you take the first step on your sustainability journey.
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