Does sustainability really matter? How can your business make a difference? Where is the best place to start? Find out in our sustainability for business FAQ.
The world of sustainability can be a real minefield, and it can be difficult to know where to start!
We know just how challenging advancing your green credentials can be – so we’ve put together a quick blog exploring the most common queries we get from businesses beginning their sustainability journey.
Get all the answers to the questions you were afraid to ask and more, in part 1 of the Axiom sustainability for business FAQ.
We’ve written extensively on the significance of sustainability in the past. From taking a closer look at carbon insetting and the value of using ESG reporting software to the issues around plastic pollution – we recognise that sustainability affects nearly everything from the planet itself to the people, wildlife and habitats that call it home. This is why everyone needs to take responsibility and do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint and work together to achieve a greener and fairer future.
Sustainability shouldn’t just be considered within the context of the environment, either.
Being a sustainable business means ensuring that your organisation and its entire supply chain can thrive. It’s about making sure it’s robust enough to keep up with ever-changing environmental legislation and ensuring that the work environment you create as a business owner is fair, compliant and ethically sound.
It affects all aspects of a business, so it’s essential that you make sustainability matter by prioritising it as part of your wider organisational strategy.
Simply put – yes!
As well as being the right thing to do, advancing sustainability credentials offers an opportunity to examine and reflect on specific areas of your operations, where you can identify inefficient practices and replace them accordingly. This can help to cut costs, save time and generally streamline your processes.
It’s also worth remembering that whilst only larger businesses have been held legally accountable to report on sustainability, it looks likely that smaller businesses will soon be held to similar standards.
This is especially true when considering the topics discussed at the likes of COP27 which outlined the importance of Scope 3 reporting, and the need to include smaller businesses within these expectations.
In addition to bolstering your reputation as an ethical and fair organisation – advancing your sustainability credentials is also great from a commercial and business perspective. It can make you a more attractive candidate to those looking to expand their green portfolio and invest in environmentally aware businesses.
Sustainability in practice could include anything from reporting on Scope 3 emissions, creating a more sustainable supply chain or engaging with more formal initiatives such as Carbon Reduction Plans.
These are a requirement which were implemented by the UK government which set out that all firms bidding for major contracts worth over £5m for Central Government and arms-length public bodies must submit a clear and credible plan that shows an active commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
Whilst the £5m threshold limits the requirement to major contracts, it seems likely that similar measures will be adopted by organisations bidding for smaller contracts in the future.
As we always say – it’s impossible to begin implementing sustainability without being able to measure it.
You need to be able to know where you currently are in order to improve and track progress. This is why data collection is so key, and a great starting point for any organisation. This involves measuring essential emissions data – including Scope 1, 2 and 3.
This can help with initiatives such as ESG and SECR reporting, as well as supporting you in improving sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.
Greenhouse gas emissions are divided into three Scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.
Scope 1 covers emissions from owned or controlled sources. In practice, this means direct emissions from company vehicles and facilities – heating, electricity, fuel.
Scope 2 is indirect emissions from the generation of purchased steam, electricity, heating and cooling.
Scope 3 comprises any other indirect emissions that happen within an organisation’s supply chain.
As Scope 3 emissions include those made by third-party suppliers, they can be very difficult to control and measure – making this particular Scope the most challenging to address.
Thinking about taking your sustainability to the next level?
We’ll be answering more questions in part two of our sustainability for business FAQ next month, where we will take a closer look at the value of data reporting and how our specialist software can help.
In the meantime – if you have any questions or want to speak to our team about what we do, please get in touch, or book your AXIOM demo today.
Want to know more? Please get in contact with our team here.
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