Benefiting from sustainable practices

This page sets our the general approaches that Earthly Gains uses. Other pages in this section indicate how companies can benefit from sustainability. 

What does sustainaiblity mean for a business

To be sustainable in the long term, a business must:

  • make a profit
  • fit into the natural environment
  • meet social expectations.  

Many leading companies worldwide have recognised this and are acting upon it. That is probably why they are leading companies. In fact, many leading global companies have been doing the things they need to do to be sustainable since long before the concept of 'sustainability' as we now define it was recognised.

Frameworks

There are a range of existing systems that can help your company be more sustainalbe. Most of these have been used by businesses for some years, so you can benefit from the lessons that others have learned. Earthly Gains can help you to use these systems in the most benefical way for your business.

Some systems to consider:

  • Global Reporting Initiative - you may not want to go public with your sustainaiblity activities but, even if you don't, the Global Reporting Initiative can provide a useful framework for determining what issues you should be focusing on.
  • Environmental Managerment Systems - many companies have now implemented ISO 14001 but few are getting the most out of it. If used well, it can help reduce costs and identify areas for innovation. If used without care, it can become a beaurocratic burden.
  • BREEAM and LEED - these are systems developed to look at the sustainability of buildings. Although initially designed for new buildings, they can help in the operation of existing buildings.
  • The Climate Change Levy and Carbon Reduction Commitment - these UK approaches are designed to force businesses to become more energy efficient. They are also helping many companies to drive for cost savings through energy efficiency.

Sources of advice

There is a lot of material available from government funded organisaitons in the UK. Earthly Gains can help guide you in the use of these. We particular use information and approaches from:

  • The Carbon Trust
  • Envirowise
  • Business Link

In fact, our Director was responsible for many of the Envirowise approaches and also had input into energy efficiency approaches.