The word sustainability is a very versatile word that has been the standard in the most varied debates, whether it is about climate change, the management of waste and by-products in the industrialized world, the increasingly scarce natural resources or even the way in which we can more equal world for all.
In Europe, the issue has been a matter of concern for governments and populations, having committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, which will inevitably cause profound changes in companies, which will have to adapt to a new reality in the way of working. and producing. At the same time that the bar is being raised on the sustainability goals facing organizations, the resurgence of the consequences of climate change makes this topic even more pressing. The greater frequency of adverse meteorological effects (heat waves, floods, storms, fires) will also affect the business fabric, highlighting the risks of scarcity of raw materials that expose companies to loss of turnover or quality of their assets. The adoption of sustainable practices helps, on the one hand, to reduce operating costs and, on the other hand, raises the level of reputation, a factor that has a lot of weight in the development of any brand, but financial issues continue to influence. when it comes to betting on sustainability. .
More transparency for a more sustainable world
According to the Schroders 2022 Institutional Investor Study, 70% of US investors consider improving financial performance important or even very important for sustainable investing. Despite the growing adoption of ESG (environmental, social and governance), most see it as a challenge when it comes to investing sustainably. To support the exploration and adoption of sustainable investment practices by investors, it is imperative that transparent and comparable data is widely available and understandable.
For those committed to sustainable investing, ESG integration is the preferred approach, with 63% of respondents selecting this strategy as their top choice, while ensuring they are prepared to examine how their investments impact the environment and society, based on quantitative methods.
Environmentally conscious companies gain notoriety
Despite the obstacles that still need to be overcome, not only in the United States, but also in European countries, a growing group of companies have shown that this is an issue to which they are no strangers and, in this regard, have contributed with initiatives to make the world a better place, committing ourselves to the values of environmental and social sustainability. Organizations commit to being more environmentally friendly and developing a portfolio of products and services that can reflect a philosophy of sustainability within the community. Sustainability concerns are becoming transversal to the entire business sector and Portugal is no exception. Consumers are more demanding and tend to value companies that put ethical and environmental values first, that care about the energy performance of buildings, that use more environmentally friendly vehicles or that promote models that favor the environment.
That is why Corporate Social Responsibility, that is, the fact that organizations assume the responsibility of supporting people, communities and the world in general, voluntarily integrating social and ecological concerns into their activities, is emerging associated to the corporate DNA, for example with the development of humanitarian or environmental projects.
Brands that the Portuguese most associate with sustainability
Delta, Ikea and Nestlé, according to a study released by the consulting firm OnStrategy, are the brands that the Portuguese most associate with ESG sustainability. The Nabeiro Group company, which ranked first in this study, is committed to introducing innovative products and services, capable of reducing the environmental impact and maximizing the positive social impact, with a commitment to eco-efficient production, design, seeking promote sustainability in the origins of coffee, reduce inefficiencies in the production process and value the waste produced, without forgetting the training of employees for change.
In the Top 2, IKEA is committed to creating a climate-friendly company that is fully circular by 2030, reducing more greenhouse emissions than are emitted by the company’s value chain, and is implementing measures to meet the Goals of Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. , working for a future with a global temperature rise of no more than 1.5ºC.
Nestlé is also committed to ensuring 100% sustainable farming by 2022 and 100% plastic-free, ready-to-recycle and disposable packaging by 2025.
New entrepreneurs bet on sustainability
But there are also startups and small companies that, with originality, focus their business on recycled products. This is the case of Garbags, a brand of accessories that gives new life to containers that would otherwise be wasted, transforming them into handcrafted and environmentally friendly accessories, to which Banco Credibom has joined, showing its commitment to contribute to a better world. more ecological, or Cuscús, a company that produces sunglasses and earrings from furniture, benches and factory waste. Just to give two examples, because there are many more.
Sustainability is a relevant criterion to ensure the long-term viability of companies in line with the awareness of new generations. The future lies not only in meeting environmental objectives and applicable legal obligations, but also in going further, investing more and better in people and the environment. It is inevitable to question what we are destroying on the planet and reflect on what we can do to make the world we live in more sustainable, a concern that should be everyone’s.
Source: Observadora
