Evolution of Business Sustainability

Business sustainability is shifting from being a costly add-on to an integral part of business profitability. Companies are learning that incorporating sustainability concepts into core business practices is more than a feel-good practice, marketing strategy or a risk mitigation tactic. Leading businesses are capturing long-term business value from an engrained sustainable business culture.

The concepts of social sustainability, business sustainability and living a sustainable lifestyle have been around for a long time. Historically reserved for conversations between a smaller set of social and business idealist, it wasn’t until the 1972 United Nations Conference in Sweden did the modern day principles of sustainability emerge.

Over the last 10 years, sustainable development has evolved to an understanding that social and environmental issues affect business value drivers. However, the sustainability business case of the 1990s was: Do it as long as it is profitable.

Increases revenue through an improved Company Reputation
Reduces cost through Resources Efficiency
“Capturing value from sustainable practices”

Today’s business leaders are taking business sustainability to the next level of evolution. The business case of today: Making sustainable “things” more profitable for the future.

Generate revenue through a sustainable society and environment
Drive cost savings out of sustainable processes that create business efficiencies
“Creating value in sustainable practices”

The evolved state of business sustainability is one in which companies are driving value through the implementation of more sustainable practices. Rather than allowing the sustainability concept itself to define the value, businesses are now finding innovative ways to extract benefits from sustainability as a business mindset present in all processes.

Incorporating sustainability into core business process and driving value from them is the evolved state on business sustainability today.