admin
Sustainability does not only relate to the environment but it covers customers, suppliers, people and a lot of legal standards (Hopwood et al, 2010).
Sustainable development was initially defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987 as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland, 1987).
Being socially responsible is considered a sustainable way of doing business and most often it boils down to trust.
Can business and communities trust each other to address their concerns in a manner that is beneficial to both?
There are a number of companies in Zimbabwe who have adopted Corporate Social Responsibility. It should be an integral part of any business today as it is about commitment, involvement and action.
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe is reported to be working to support companies working towards sustainability.
The council’s administrator, George Foot, explains in the GRI report: “One of the council’s prime objectives is the gathering and sharing of knowledge. Initially the intention was to enhance awareness of the concepts and benefits of sustainability reporting, followed by underlining the increasing international requirements for sustainability reporting; now there is a shift from awareness to implementation.”
Sustainability and the environment
It would be illogical in terms of sustainability for one to undertake major construction on prime farmland, prehistoric site, and habitat for endangered species or wetlands.
One can draw observation from the debates surrounding the construction of the hotel near the National Sports Stadium among environmentalists and business people.
Sometimes as businesses we need to stop and ask if the current activities we are doing are not detrimental to the future generation. How do we expect to live in an environment that does not have wetlands?
Even the basics of savings and managing our water become an issue in sustainability.
As water becomes scarcer and more expensive, companies now need to focus on conservation.
In Zimbabwe we are faced with 80 percent of households having access to clean water while 20 percent rely on relatively unsafe water.
Companies generally treat green projects as interesting experiments but unfeasible projects.
No wonder why the green fuel project attracted a lot of controversy and criticism!
To ensure a successful launch of a green project it is important to hire the right project team.
These include architects, engineers, contractors and consultants who are knowledgeable about the broad spectrum of green design tool and technologies.
Productivity
We also need to start looking at alternative materials that we can use at our workplaces — after all they are safer and healthier.
A study carried out by a human resources consultancy revealed in 2011 last quarter reported that a lot of employees suffer from diseases related to dizziness, nausea, nose, throat irritation in their workplaces annually.
No wonder why the HR department is busy processing these sick leave days.
The same study found that the improved air quality brought about by recycled material reduced employee absenteeism and improved productivity by between 25 and 50 percent.
Would you rather not use your money on 100 percent recycled carpeting, furniture with significant recycled content, soybean based insulation or solar energy?
Global warming
Global warming is surely beginning to assume a prominent position on the agenda of business executives.
It sends a message that rough weather patterns are not going to change overnight. New regulations designed to curb climate change may themselves disrupt the flow of business. Some fear the costs involved.
Companies need to start looking at the opportunities presented by the shift in weather patterns.
Optimistic companies are already looking at ways to mitigate the effects of weather.
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Durban in December last year touched on most of these issues.
Most experts believe that human activity is contributing to an increase in the earth’s average surface temperature.
Scientists also agree that an increase of as little as two degrees Fahrenheit is likely to cause more severe storms, floods, and droughts and accelerate the spread of disease.
Such catastrophes could have devastating effects on individuals, communities but also businesses and entire economies.
GM and Ford see climate change as an opportunity to gain advantage over their less technologically sophisticated rivals.
That is why they are investing in cars that run on a combination of gasoline and battery power and in fuel cells that combine hydrogen with oxygen to provide electricity without reducing carbon dioxide.
But in Zimbabwe, it becomes an issue if E10, that is a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent-unleaded petrol is introduced.
A few farsighted companies I read about are now embarking on a journey toward natural capitalism.
It involves the increase in productivity of natural resources, stretching them as much as 100 times.
They further go on to adopt closed loop production systems that yield no waste or toxicity.
The next stage involves a fundamental change of business model from one of selling products to delivering services.
For example, a manufacturer would sell lighting services rather than light bulbs, thus benefiting the seller and customer for developing extremely efficient durable
light bulbs. These tools are proven to lower overhead costs, improve productivity and strengthen the bottom line.
The green future is here, like the dramatic, occasionally unsettling and ultimately beneficial transformations wrought by the introduction of electric lights, telephones, elevators and air-conditioning.
The green revolution is definitely changing the way we see and engage in business!
- Shelter Hamandishe-Chieza is a Management Consultant. She holds over a decade of management experience and is in the final stages of a Management of Business Administration Degree with a local university. Send feedback to [email protected] on how your organisation is contributing to the green revolution and sustainability.
Online Reporter