Finding that New Sustainable Path for Business

Before and still after its initial introduction, supporters and critics of the Triple Bottom Line, have debated the ability to link the environmental and social responsibility to traditional economic drivers. Without a clear direction, financial incentives, or a framework to assess progress, the business world has not been overly receptive to the idea of integrating sustainability concepts into core business practices.

However, recent trends tend to indicate that the business world may be changing its view. Companies both large and small are learning firsthand the value of integrating eco awareness into their operations, business strategies, and product deliveries. A few business leaders and academics, primarily focused on product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), are progressing sustainable action even further.

In the summer of 2009, Wal-Mart kicked off an independent effort to build a common platform for companies to assess the environmental impacts of their consumer product offerings over their lifecycle. This organization, known as the Sustainability Consortium, is a meeting of academic and commercial minds with the goal to develop methodologies and tools that help companies find innovative ways to make products with fewer environmental impacts.

With economic factors thus far limiting broader participation, these efforts, like any other external factor, should not delay business sustainability action in your organization. Whether your company is just becoming familiar with the concept of business sustainability or is a sustainability leader in an industry, there are sustainable performance improvements that can right now move your organization along its continuous improvement journey. The key is to determine the criteria and right-fit tools that will specifically move the company up the sustainability learning curve.

The true value capture from business sustainability will come from the ‘unique’ and successful implementation of sustainability concepts and strategies into core business functions. At Taiga Company, our sustainability consulting works with clients to build a strong financial case for business sustainability.