How Industry Leaders Are Making a Difference in the Environment
With the rising threat of climate change, the pressure is on us all to change our ways. Research says global emissions must drop by nearly half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid a climate crisis. As such, “reduce, reuse, recycle” must become a part of our daily lives.
It's an ambitious task, especially for businesses, who might worry that going green will be costly. But did you know there are immense opportunities for ambitious leaders to seize?
In a modern world, green initiatives can give you a competitive edge. Customers are becoming more eco-conscious and attracted to businesses that share their values. Similarly, greener technologies can streamline your processes and help reduce costs.
Part of the transition to going green is knowing what policies and strategies to adopt. After all, time is of the essence. With that in mind, let's explore areas where industry leaders are most successful. Below are simple strategies that any industry leader can implement for environmental sustainability.
Leaders must improve supply chain sustainability
It's not enough for a business leader to examine their company's impact. They need to factor in and reduce emissions from supplies and services they're connected to.
The World Economic Forum has examined how supply chains can distort emission figures. They found eight supply chains in major industries accounted for more than 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are something many businesses typically ignore (or don't include!) in their own auditing.
Leaders must now take into account the effect their day-to-day work has. Thankfully, there are many ways to work with suppliers and reach environmental goals. By establishing clear goals, you can both work toward decarbonization.
Businesses together with suppliers should measure these goals and report feedback on a continuous basis. Such practice will foster better communication and engagement. It will also help both parties identify the best initiatives to invest in.
Finally, every industry leader should invest in better training and equipment. Upskilling staff will empower them to make greener choices in their work. Teams will become more productive and efficient. Better equipment will also help streamline processes, eliminate waste, and reduce emissions.
Leaders must change to a circular economy
A circular economy model means that businesses keep products and materials in circulation. By reusing or repurposing resources, they are eliminating waste. They can also save huge amounts of money as they require fewer raw materials.
There are three core steps leaders can take to implement a circular economy:
Eliminating waste: Leaders should treat waste as a “design flaw.” By changing their production methods, they can reduce their carbon footprint. For example, you can use reusable packaging or remove harmful ingredients in manufacturing.
Circulating products: Leaders should strive to use products for as long as possible. When exhausted, items should be recycled as raw materials or refurbished items. Examples include biodegradable packaging or disassembling products to retrieve parts.
Regenerating nature: Leaders can restore nature by reducing the need for raw materials, freeing up more resources and land. They can also adopt restorative practices in how they source raw materials, such as sustainable farming in food production or forestry in cosmetics.
Leaders must adopt green technologies to reduce carbon footprints
Another impactful way leaders can address sustainability is by adopting greener technology. Not only can this reduce your carbon footprint, but it can maximize efficiency and reduce costs. It is a win-win scenario, though some leaders might not know where to start.
Sometimes, it's best to start simple. Take SIM cards, for example. In the past, workers would have to buy brand-new local SIMs whenever they had to travel abroad for work. These single-use plastic cards are wasteful because they only work in one country. Altogether, they contribute to an estimated 560,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
eSIMs are a great alternative if you need overseas connectivity. They allow you to change network operators quickly through a simple smartphone app. Travelers won't need to buy new cards, as eSIMs are already embedded within many modern devices. Moreover, one eSIM can manage all your travel needs. Simply download a chosen provider's app and add a new plan for each new country you visit. Then activate it just before your trip!
The eSIM does all the heavy lifting, connecting to the best local networks across the country. Visiting Vancouver on business, but need to stop over in Montreal first? By finding the best eSIM for Canada, you can enjoy seamless connectivity throughout. And because data is charged at local rates, businesses can save massive amounts on their phone bills. Going green pays off once again.
Leaders must advocate for greener policies
Finally, leaders must strive to make changes in the wider community. They must advocate for greener policies and initiatives from governments and key stakeholders, prompting everyone to play their part in addressing climate change.
The knock-on effect is that customers will, in turn, support environmentally conscious businesses. The Harvard Business Review predicts sustainability will become central to developing brand loyalty. As such, you're futureproofing your brand's appeal by becoming a leader in all things green.
Leading the way in restoring the environment
While challenging, going green can provide businesses with many benefits. More customers are beginning to support companies that take sustainability seriously. Moreover, pivoting your resources and technology can also help you slash costs.
eSIMs, for example, can cut the use of single-use plastics when traveling overseas. Likewise, redesigning products and packaging can help foster a more circular economy. You'll streamline your processes and make a real difference to the world around you.
