According to a recent World Economic Forum report, there is a $10 trillion market opportunity for businesses that highlight their sustainability endeavors.3<\/sup> Similarly, the Global 100 is a report by Canadian sustainability-focused financial information company, Corporate Knights, that ranks large enterprises around the world based on their ability to reduce carbon and waste. The nearly 7,000 public companies that do this best also generate over $1 billion in annual revenue.4<\/sup> It\u2019s easy to understand why investing in sustainability is becoming a more mainstream idea for business executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GetSmarter surveyed 546 professionals from 65 countries<\/a><\/strong> to better understand how sustainability will impact our future. The report<\/strong><\/a> revealed that the most urgent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for building a resilient future are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sustainability is not limited to established enterprises: the number of first-time entrepreneurs who are developing their companies around environmental protection and services has grown. This has brought about an increase in the number of promising start-ups that focus on long-lasting, eco-friendly, and recycled goods. By 2030, investment in green-business startups is projected to swell to $3.4 trillion.5<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2015, world leaders at the United Nations (UN) agreed on 17 goals that would create a better world by 2030. These goals focus on eradicating poverty, fighting inequality, and ending climate change.6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n A sustainable business that wants its business sustainability model and associated goals to line up with the UN\u2019s goals might start with responsible consumption and production<\/strong><\/a>. To do this, they would need to ensure that their supply chain supports environmental goals, such as climate action, life below water, and life on land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organizations would also look at their staff and management structures to ensure gender equality and reduced inequalities. They could assess their immediate communities and see how they can initiate or contribute towards the goals of good health and well-being, quality education, clean water and sanitation, and sustainable cities and communities. All of these goals work together to bring about a positive impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Unilever\u2019s \u201cBetter Leadership, Better World\u201d report, there are key leadership endeavors that are pivotal to successfully growing a sustainable business in accordance with the UN\u2019s Global Goals.7<\/sup> Here are some tips on how to make your business more sustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For businesses of all sizes, emulating international giants, such as Apple with its commitment to being 100 percent carbon neutral by 203018<\/sup> or Salesforce, which has already achieved net-zero greenhouse gas emissions globally and delivers a carbon neutral cloud.19<\/sup> However, individuals and companies can start small: recycle waste, use tap water instead of plastic bottles, utilize natural light in the office. Most of these things are already happening in the workplace; how much more can be achieved with continuous focused thinking on sustainability? The power of business to provide a change that positively impacts the world is vast. With its unmatched powers of ideation, production, and distribution, the business world is well-positioned to bring the change needed at scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until such time as interplanetary colonization is possible, growing sustainable businesses is a means to help repair and protect what we have, one recycling bin and supply chain at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gain the knowledge needed to build a sustainability plan unique to your business by registering for the Cambridge Business Sustainability Management online short course<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is a sustainable business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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