🌍 1. What Is Business Sustainability?
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Sustainability in business means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.
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It involves balancing People, Planet, and Profit — known as the Triple Bottom Line (TBL).
🔁 Triple Bottom Line (TBL):
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People: Social impact (workers, communities)
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Planet: Environmental responsibility
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Profit: Economic viability
Example:
Patagonia donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes and uses recycled materials, balancing profit with purpose.
📗 2. Why Is Sustainability Important in Business?
Key Benefits:
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Improves brand image and trust
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Reduces costs (energy, waste)
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Meets consumer demand for ethical practices
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Attracts investors (ESG-focused)
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Ensures regulatory compliance
Example:
Unilever integrates sustainability into brands like Dove and Ben & Jerry’s, leading to better performance and loyalty.
📘 3. Environmental Impact Areas
| Impact Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Carbon Emissions | Emissions from factories, transport |
| Waste Management | Plastic, food waste, e-waste |
| Water Usage | Excessive use in agriculture/factories |
| Energy Efficiency | Use of renewable vs. fossil fuels |
| Deforestation | Land use for farming, logging |
Example:
IKEA aims to use only renewable or recycled materials by 2030.
📙 4. Social Responsibility in Business
Key Areas:
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Fair labour practices
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Diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI)
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Community engagement
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Consumer safety and transparency
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Ethical sourcing and supply chains
Example:
Starbucks sources coffee ethically through its Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) program.
📕 5. Frameworks & Standards
| Framework | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) | Metrics used by investors | BlackRock uses ESG ratings |
| UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) | 17 global goals for sustainability | Companies align CSR with SDGs |
| GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) | Sustainability reporting standard | Used in annual ESG reports |
| B Corp Certification | Certified businesses meeting social and environmental standards | Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental Management Systems | Factories seeking eco-efficiency |
📊 6. Sustainable Business Strategies
| Strategy | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Circular Economy | Reduce, reuse, recycle | Apple uses recycled aluminium in devices |
| Green Supply Chain | Sourcing, production with low impact | Nike uses sustainable materials |
| Carbon Neutral Goals | Net-zero carbon emissions | Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007 |
| Sustainable Innovation | Eco-friendly product design | Tesla EVs replacing fossil fuel cars |
🧠 7. How to Implement Sustainability
Steps:
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Assess impact: Energy use, waste, labour conditions.
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Set measurable goals: E.g., reduce emissions by 30% by 2030.
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Engage stakeholders: Employees, suppliers, community.
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Integrate into business model: Not a side project.
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Report transparently: ESG or GRI reports.
✅ Summary Table
| Area | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Bottom Line | People, Planet, Profit | Patagonia is balancing all 3 |
| Environmental Impact | Emissions, waste, water | IKEA uses renewable materials |
| Social Responsibility | Fair labour, ethics, and DEI | Starbucks’ ethical sourcing |
| Tools & Frameworks | ESG, SDGs, GRI | Used in corporate sustainability reports |
| Strategies | Circular economy, carbon neutrality | Apple, Google, Tesla |
💡 Final Insight:
"Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good."
— Jochen Zeitz, CEO of Harley-Davidson
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