{"id":15555,"date":"2022-03-02T15:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T13:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/?p=15555"},"modified":"2025-12-02T14:56:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:56:43","slug":"developing-a-plan-of-action-for-business-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/developing-a-plan-of-action-for-business-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing a Plan of Action for Business Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In this video, Joubert urges the C-suite to acknowledge their responsibility towards sustainable business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Businesses Need to Build Climate Resilience | University of Cambridge\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s1tV8DLjDiU?list=PL3i9SKphOUN9IdRJ7F-88mbi0J6SU3Ic-\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The journey to meaningful business sustainability is gaining traction. One of its pioneers is Philippe Joubert, Executive Chairman of the Global Electricity Initiative and Guest Lecturer on the Business Sustainability Management online short course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).<\/p>\n<p>In an exclusive video for the course, Joubert discusses the death of \u2018business as usual\u2019: too many companies aren\u2019t paying for the services rendered to us by nature. Taking advantage of daily conveniences and relying on the availability of natural resources like air, water, and land without a second thought will have a cost that can no longer be ignored. The Earth\u2019s resources are finite.<\/p>\n<p>As Joubert, who is also the Founder and CEO of Earth on Board, states: the link between our everyday resources and the resources the planet provides has never been more apparent \u2013 and never more tenuous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is that nature is no longer limited and free. In fact, it never was. Joubert warns that what we take from nature comes at a cost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/sustainability-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">that business owners are increasingly compelled to pay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before, concerns typically revolved around the \u201cgolden triangle\u201d of cost, quality, and time of delivery. Now, management and executive committees need to know whether their organizations and supply chains are truly resilient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And this is where you, as a business leader, can make a meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"driving-meaningful-change-in-business\">Driving meaningful change in business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sustainability has reached critical mass, with world summits and economic forums monitoring issues of resource scarcity and high-risk environmental factors affecting world populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no reason for companies to be reluctant. Sustainability makes business sense. In addition to the financial pressures of climate change, the consumer has more power than ever and is becoming a driving force of change for sustainable business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><em>\u201cYoung people are asking for a sense of who they are working with. [\u2026] Companies had to change their strategy because they couldn\u2019t recruit more talent.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite><em>&#8211; Philippe Joubert, Founder and CEO, Earth on Board<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"innovation-improves-human-lives\">Innovation improves human lives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Innovation in sustainability requires a change in the mode of thinking in that businesses merely offer products and services in economic terms to companies that also demonstrate social value. Limited resources increasingly force businesses to demonstrate their ability to operate responsibly, ensuring that they act for the common good. Organizations are expected and held to a higher ideal of resource conservation because of the magnitude of their actions and their effects. The old status quo of doing business has changed irrevocably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a hard-hitting truth for many businesses, which may not understand the need for this ideology. But statistics on the earth\u2019s \u201cecological deficit\u201d portrays a clear picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Today the global population consumes the equivalent of 1.75 Earths in providing our resources and in absorbing our waste.&#8221;<\/em><sup>1<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building-a-sustainable-business\">Building a sustainable business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its drain on resources, one would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn\u2019t like the convenience that technology brings. But how can this translate into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/learn-how-to-drive-sustainability-in-your-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">building a sustainable business<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies increasingly realize that the cost and social challenges of doing business are inextricably linked. This isn\u2019t a vague concept \u2013 cost metrics are driving businesses to care about environmental factors, especially when the volatility of natural resources is at stake. Therefore, a corporate sustainability plan is enacted not out of legal obligation, but as a necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reality is that, as organizations become more comfortable with the concepts and language of sustainability, nearly all of these terms have become common business discourse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Renewable energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate change<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon footprint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resource scarcity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urbanization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deforestation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reuse, repurpose, recycle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"developing-a-business-sustainability-plan\">Developing a business sustainability plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As organizations begin to recognize the importance of sustainability, they\u2019re learning to redefine business risk to the point where the financial implications of a profitable business rest on a \u201ctriple bottom line of profit, people, and the planet.\u201d<sup>2<\/sup> In essence, a company that fully accounts for financial, social, and environmental factors truly understands the costs of doing business. Environmental risks have become powerful metrics for business practices and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, despite its benefits, sustainability can\u2019t be forcibly grafted to existing business strategies. Incorporating it in such a way that the organization can realize its potential requires a level of skill and awareness. Therefore, it requires an investment in sustainability training and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"your-next-steps-to-a-sustainability-plan\">Your next steps to a sustainability plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First is to educate yourself and your employees. Become future-fit by learning about sustainability and discovering innovative methodologies for driving meaningful change from Joubert and other industry pioneers on the University of Cambridge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/cambridge-business-sustainability-management-online-short-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business Sustainability Management<\/a> online short course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, it\u2019s key to implement your corporate sustainability plan. However, you need to ensure that the plan is as sustainable as you hope to make your business. It\u2019s about driving its business value for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Your employees: <\/strong>How could your CSR initiative lead to employee engagement, skills development, and retention?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your customer:<\/strong> How could your CSR initiative appeal to your consumer, creating customer satisfaction and the opportunity to market?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your investors:<\/strong> How could your CSR initiative promote your business\u2019s credibility, attracting potential investors and clients?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your business: <\/strong>How could your CSR initiative contribute to research, encourage business development, and ensure business sustainability management?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Download this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/CSR-Strategy-Toolkit-PDF-download-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSR Strategy Toolkit<\/a> to conceptualize and develop the CSR initiative that will best serve you, your company, and your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Develop a sustainability plan of action that brings meaningful change to your business with this online course.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"related-programme-block\">\n<div class=\"related-programme\" onclick=\"window.open('https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/cambridge-business-sustainability-management-online-short-course', '_blank')\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-12 col-md-11\">\n            <div class=\"related-programme__school-logo-container\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/universities\/university-of-cambridge\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-programme__school-logo-link\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CAM_logo_black_variant.png\" alt=\"School Logo\" class=\"related-programme__school-logo\">\n            <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"related-programme__copy\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/universities\/university-of-cambridge\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-programme__school-name\">\n                CAMBRIDGE CISL            <\/a><br>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/cambridge-business-sustainability-management-online-short-course\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-programme__programme-name\">\n                Business Sustainability Management online short course            <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"col-md-1 related-programme__chevron-column\">\n            <div class=\"related-programme__icon-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"add-btn\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/blog\/assets\/icn_arrow-circle_right.svg\" alt=\"Read More Icon\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"accordion\">\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"headingOne\" class=\"card-header\">\n<h6 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn\" style=\"background-color: transparent;\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#sources\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"sources\"> <strong>Click here to view sources<\/strong> <\/button><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"sources\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingOne\" data-parent=\"#accordion\">\n<div class=\"card-body\">\n<ul class=\"mx-0\" style=\"list-style: none;\">\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>1<\/sup> (Nd). &#8216;World Footprint&#8217;. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.footprintnetwork.org\/our-work\/ecological-footprint\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Footprint Network<\/a>. Accessed February 7, 2022.<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>2<\/sup> (Nd). \u2018The triple bottom line\u2019. Retrieved from the <a href=\"https:\/\/sustain.wisconsin.edu\/sustainability\/triple-bottom-line\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Wisconsin Sustainable Management<\/a>. Accessed February 7, 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Become future-fit by learning about sustainability from Mike Barry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":42576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[122,194],"article-format":[],"class_list":["post-15555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-advice","tag-business-management","tag-sustainability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tips for Developing a Business Sustainability Plan | GetSmarter Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The journey to meaningful business sustainability is gaining traction. 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