By Calli Gregg T here are many reasons as to why businesses should be interested in making it a goal of becoming a sustainable business, which is the idea of generating profit while also improving societal and environmental conditions as part of a business’s focus and goals. Meeting the needs of the present without com- promising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, is a definition of sustainability that we have had positively displayed by several beloved companies such as IKEA. IKEA promotes living a sustainable lifestyle at home by saving water and energy, eating healthy, and reducing waste. IKEA is already using renewable energy, and it committed to produce as much renewable energy as they consume in their operations by 2020. Not only is IKEA using renewable energy, but by 2020 they want to be using wood from sus- tainable sources, either recycled or certified. THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES TO BECOMING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS: • Improves the value of the business and improves the reputation of the business. • The business develops a marketing advantage. Increases the people who want to work for the business. • Reduces business costs.
Throughout the past few years, awareness and activism towards environmental issues has been increasing significantly all over the world. Busi- nesses that decided to build sustainable practices will find themselves succeeding, as the awareness and activism for environmental issues increases. Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-sys- tems, is another definition that we have had this positively displayed by several other recognized companies such as Nike, Adidas and Nestlé. Nike has begun reducing their waste, Adidas has been working on a greener supply chain and Nestlé has been working on their water efficiency and waste. Making changes can be scary however, environ- mental issues affect everyone whether part of a business or not. I believe that it is an extremely good idea for thebusinesses to consider becoming sustainable and think of the many benefits and advantages to becoming a sustainable business. We need businesses to make these changes because we need to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and improv- ing the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2019
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