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Contrary to what many may think, sustainability in business isn’t simply a fad. More and more enterprises across Australia are discovering that the benefits of operating in a more environmentally friendly way go far beyond just mapping out your business values. Green shifts also provide dynamic benefits for Australian enterprises, ranging from reduced resource consumption rates to honing more efficient and future-proof operational processes. Businesses that demonstrate a dedication to their sustainability improvements may also be better positioned to qualify for bid tenders and government contracts in the future as well, meaning going green could even deliver more commercial opportunities for your enterprise down the line.
As a business leader looking to make a positive change both in your local community and perhaps even on a national or global scale, you’ll be thrilled to know that sustainability doesn’t need to be difficult. Today, let’s walk through some simple cost-effective steps you can take to make your business more sustainable.
Secure Sustainability Certifications
There’s a lot that goes into running a sustainable organisation, including choosing the right energy investments, using recyclable or biodegradable packaging, and educating your employees to support and maintain green initiatives for your company. A convenient way of making sure you’re leaving no stone unturned is to secure an official accreditation like the ISO 14001 certification, which demonstrates that your business meets certain environmental excellence standards.
A big part of the value of ISO compliance is that certification to 14001 (the Environmental Management Systems Standard) requires you to adhere to internationally recognised criteria outlining sustainable and high-performance environmental management practices for your business.
With a strong agricultural sector here in Australia, ISO 14001 certification is also often a prerequisite for businesses seeking commercial partnerships. If you’re looking to collaborate with other agricultural sector enterprises across the state, integrating sustainability into your business model is vital. And the most effective method for navigating this green shift is by establishing environmental management systems for your enterprise that are fully compliant with ISO 14001 requirements.
Sell Eco-Friendly Products
Historically, businesses have been hesitant to make the transition to selling more eco-friendly products in a bid to keep their manufacturing costs as low as possible. But as more Aussie consumers are voting green with their dollars even if it means spending a little bit more, there has never been a better time for Australian business owners to start investing in greener options across their product range.
Depending on your industry or market niche, investing in environmentally friendlier products and materials may be accompanied by some high upfront cost investments. But we have an undeniable competitive advantage here in Australia thanks to our higher volume of homegrown eco-friendly materials. From Colorbond steel to Australian-grown bamboo fibres, all avenues for greening your enterprise will likely also include ample opportunities to partner with local suppliers over international suppliers. This means that what you spend on higher supply costs may actually be balanced out by the removal of import tariffs.
Coincidentally, this offset between local and international supplier partnerships is also the crux of the State Government’s Buy Local policy. So if you’re a small business owner working in materials manufacturing or other markets where you can offer local supply services, we strongly encourage you to have a look into local partnership opportunities to ensure your eco-friendly products are available for fellow Australian business owners.
Make the Switch to Renewable Energy
Among the most impactful things an Australian business can do in terms of helping the environment is making the transition to renewable energy. By making the switch to renewables like solar and wind, you can reduce your organisation’s reliance on fossil fuels and ultimately minimise the carbon footprint produced by your business operations.
In the long run, investments in renewable energy can also greatly cut your operational expenses. While there are upfront costs with installing equipment like commercial solar panels and batteries, the cost-saving benefits of solar energy will result in net profits in just a few short years following your system installation.
The Australian Government has also taken some key steps to making the switch to renewable energy easier for companies of all sizes. These include the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which grants small businesses financial incentives for investing in renewable sources of energy like solar panels and air-sourced heat pumps. Recently, the government has also drafted the ‘Reliable Renewables’ plan, which is aimed at strengthening the renewable grid in Tasmania and Victoria and boosting investments in renewables. With these government-funded energy programs for business owners, making use of sustainable energy sources is now easier – and more affordable – than ever.
Commit to Sustainability from the Top Down
Finally, in order to make lasting change, it’s essential to commit to sustainability from the top down. It’s not enough for a few department heads or individual team members to adopt green practices: there needs to be a conscious decision made by your top brass to shift towards a more sustainable method of operating.
Again, investing in ISO 14001 certification is foundational here, namely because environmental management systems rely on top leader support by nature. Implementation and the ongoing review and improvements of environmental management systems is a company-wide commitment that’s upheld from the top down.
Similarly, implementing one or two eco-friendly policies for the sake of your public image isn’t going to cut it. Especially as Australia’s business landscape moves further towards prioritising environmental practices as a method of future-proofing and optimising business operations for cost-efficiency over the long term.
So business leaders – prioritise your green investments. By getting everyone to pull in the same direction, you can ensure that any policies and initiatives that you put in place will be carried out in practice.
Make your Local Business a Champion of Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of doing business in the modern world not only here in Australia but on a global scale. It’s not sufficient to simply pay lip service to helping the environment. Customers, potential partners and investors are cannier than ever, so it’s important to be genuine with your efforts.
We’ve just gone over some simple ways to make your business more sustainable. Implement them today to make a positive mark on the environment and grow your company while doing so.
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