If improving your company’s sustainability credentials isn’t high on the agenda, you could be at risk of losing valuable business.

As an increasing number of organisations improve their sustainability performance, they’re turning the spotlight on their supply chains. They have begun implementing sustainability initiatives throughout their supply chain not only to achieve regulatory compliance, but also to improve brand image and customer satisfaction. Businesses that fail to meet the growing sustainability expectations of their larger customers run the risk of a diminishing customer base and potentially becoming obsolete.

There is however, an opportunity for companies that implement sustainable business practices to attract and retain more business. The ability to communicate impressive sustainability credentials places them in an excellent position to gain the edge over their competitors. Those without this may be left behind.

At a minimum, businesses should align their sustainability performance with their customers’ expectations.  To attract new customers and capitalise on the growing number of sustainability-conscious companies however, you must effectively communicate your environmental performance to a wider market place.

Strategies to boost your sustainability credentials include:

• Understanding your business’s environmental impacts through a baseline assessment.
• Buying local. There are significant social, environmental, and economic benefits to supporting local economies. It’s worthwhile checking with your vendors about the availability of local products and materials.
• Sharing your achievements — successful businesses often have elements of sustainability embedded within them already, such as efficient water usage and low energy lighting etc.
• Looking for quick wins — easy to implement and cost effective initiatives, such as energy efficient lighting.
• Developing a sustainability and/or environmental policy – customers may request to see these.
• Developing a sustainability strategy.
• Communicating your sustainability efforts to customers through your website or other existing communication channels.
• Joining Grow Me The Money. Participating businesses in this 12 step program save, on average, $8,300, 69.7 tonnes of carbon and 33,776 kL of water per year.

For more information, visit: 

Resource Smart

New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development

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