The difficulties in moving towards corporate sustainability raise the question of how environmental and social management can be integrated. It was initially present as a concept of business ethics and it was rather a concern for philosophers. Profit or wealth simple rules for sustainable business. Business strategy for sustainable development international. Every year, the business case for sustainability in fashion grows stronger as sustainability innovation offers opportunities for increased profitability. To integrate sustainability principles into their business strategies and to aid resource allocation decisions, managers must quantify the link between social and environmental actions and financial performance. It also provides an overview of the key principles to follow to develop a strong business case.
Congruently, evidence suggests that neglecting the fashion industrys environmental and social impact will have detrimental effects on business. Explaining the business case for sustainability again. Congruently, evidence suggests that neglecting the fashion industrys environmental and social impact will have detrimental effects on business growth and profits. Lastly, we conclude that there is a business case for environmental sustainability. Feb 24, 2021 the open case studies project at ubc brings together faculty and students from different disciplines to write, edit, and learn with case studies that are free and open. Sustainably advantaged products can drive sales and create tomorrows options for growth by helping your customers reduce their. The structure leading the way to your business case for sustainability. For more information on the source of this book, or why it is available for free. The authors will detail key environmental sustainability focus areas and outline a roadmap of essential considerations companies should incorporate into any environmental stewardship initiatives.
Click to view the latest business law today january 2015. Widely in demand as a speaker, he has delivered hundreds of presentations demonstrating the business case for sustainability to companies, consultants, academics and ngos worldwide. Companies involved in such initiatives are working not only to ensure their own products meet high sustainability standards, but to change the industry for good. The business case for sustainability the business case for sustainability is well established figure 1. The business case is concerned with the primary question. Sustainable business cases 2012 book archive lardbucket. This book was accessible as of december 29, 2012, and it was downloaded then by andy schmitz. Oct 21, 2016 the comprehensive business case for sustainability. Free case studies business case studies research guides. Copenhagen business schools cbs collection of free cases is part of its commitment to the principles of responsible management education. This is a revised version of the 2002 book the sustainability advantage. To develop a compelling business case however, it is essential to step back and accurately define the problem.
In the process of developing a business case for a sustainability initiative, there is a natural tendency to jump straight to analysing a potential initiative itself and justifying its costs and benefits. The business case refers to the underlying arguments or rationales supporting or documenting why the business community should accept and advance the csr cause. This text was adapted by the saylor foundation under a. It provides critical opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation at a time when universities and colleges are looking for ways to become more. I hear it both within companies and from the business press. Value drivers and sustainable business activities 5. It provides critical opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation at a time when universities and colleges are looking for ways to become more resilient in an increasingly volatile environment. Companies reduce cost and risk by cutting energy, water, waste, materials, and negative social impacts. Make also sure to check out our free webinar on this topic. The book combines the theory of sustainability with key concepts, analytical information and contextual information with a collection of cases which provide insights, perspective and practical guidance on how sustainable businesses operate from different business functional area perspectives. Mar 19, 2018 both of our articles are based on our white paper about the business case for sustainability, which is available for download now. Ill offer many more videos about the business case in the days ahead, and also videos on making sustainability relevant for the business community.
A lack of evidence on the business benefits of sustainability in fhe is a related barrier that further weakens calls for support. Integrating sustainability into corporate strategy. Sustainability is key to institutional success over the longterm. It can be characterized by three requirements which have to be met. While leaders find sustainability worthy, there are many who find it challenging to meet the environmental needs of the present without negatively impacting their economic goals. A business case for sustainability intends and realizes economic success through and not just with an intelligent design of voluntary environmental and social management. Pdf business cases for sustainability and the role of business. Making the business case for sustainable commodities page 2 about this guide this guide provides a framework and a set of tools to help you develop a powerful, wellreasoned and tailored business case that will resonate with decisionmakers. Read more about the sustainable business case book. This document aims to help sustainable procurement champions be better at making the case for sustainable procurement within their organisations. Section 1, the business case for sustainable procurement, provides a threepage business case covering key elements such as benefits, drivers, barriers and implementation principles. Ideal for individuals that are looking for the helicopter view of the topic.
The business case for supply chain sustainability for a particular company depends on a variety of issues including industry sector, region of operation, stakeholder expectations, business strategy, organizational culture, and past. For enterpriselevel changes, a business case may be necessary to justify costs, resources, and effort. Developing a business case for sustainability initiatives. Information technology is everchanging, and that means that those who are working, or planning to work, in the field of it management must always be learning. Business leaders are feeling strong pressure to not just support the idea of sustainability, but to also improve their companys environmental performance. Worlds best case studies short video case studies covering topics including consumer goods, services, and technology.
Develop your business case for sustainability and learn from. Business case studies in sustainability practices sheri l. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly seen as an ad hoc measure, a supplement to. Unpacking the business case for sustainability s u m a s. Lastly, we conclude that there is a business case for environmental sustainability that will improve financial performance. Making the business case for sustainable commodities. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly considered to be an ad hoc. By following the 10 rules of profit and the 10 rules of wealth shown under profit or wealth. Pdf the business case for environmental sustainability. From business responsibility to business sustainability the idea of business responsibility could be traced to the time when companies started making donations and behaved in an ethical manner. Desire to create a business case in working group of 4 persons. The business benefits of using sustainability standards. Lastly, we conclude that there is a business case for environmental sustainability that will. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly seen as an ad hoc measure.
Jul 21, 2016 during this session we discussed how to put a price quantitative or qualitative on your sustainability projects and how to build out the entire business case for your sustainability strategy. The sustainable business case book open textbook library. The business case for sustainability companies that engage in sustainable business practices achieve benefits that include cost savings, higher revenues, a better image, lower staff turnover, increased productivity and access to finance and new markets. The authors have proposed a framework that will assist managers in making the business case for sustainability initiatives. This it business case template provides space to discuss why you require the change, how you will source the new solution, and how you will manage the migration and implementation. If many of the businesses undertaking sustainability actions do it for lifestyle reasons, it will be difficult to promote any change of behaviour specially more formalised sustainability management even if it. Apr 10, 2012 the recently released book the new sustainability advantage, proves that the quantified business case for sustainability is more compelling than ever before. The business case for supply chain sustainability for a particular company depends on a variety of issues including industry sector, region of operation, stakeholder expectations, business strategy, organizational culture, and past performance. To gain a course certificate in the end, attendance of 10 required sessions and 8 out of 12 optional sessions is. Developing a business case for sustainability initiatives in. The business case for sustainability is also connected to improved reputation and brand value. Moreover, many areas of sustainable development remain technically ambiguous, making it difficult to plan an effective course of action.
The company sells a wide range of it hardware, software products and services for enterprise, government, small business and consumer markets. It can be particularly difficult to make a successful case for sustainability in a fhe context, because universities and colleges are highly complex institutions. Making the business case for sustainability in 2010, the united nations global compact conducted a survey pdf on sustainability and found that 93% of businesses consider it important to their. The global survey of senior executives from around the world conducted by the economist in 2011 found that 76 percent of respondents think that embedding sustainability into the. This book is licensed under a creative commons byncsa 3. The first part of the sustainable business case book, chapter 1 through chapter 3, introduces students to the meaning of sustainability, and the practice of sustainable business. Making the business case for sustainability sustainability. For those of you who missed the opportunity to be part of our workshop on july 14 th 2016, we give you an opportunity to download the presentation. The sustainable business case book provides readers with a broad overview of the core concepts of.
Let me share with you a representative version of conversations ive had across the world with audience members, executives, and business journalists. Translating a sustainability concept into actionable steps requires setting priorities, defining principles, and forming strategies for the development of the guidelines and systems as a business case that can justify the need, identify the risks, and define the benefits of pursuing sustainability. Promoting the business case of sustainability to businesses is not likely to work as much as focusing on the altruistic reasons. Participants must be fluent in english and have a mandate or project leadership on sustainability.
How to use this guide the introduction to the guide explains what a business case is, and how they are increasingly being adopted as tools to promote sustainable business practices. Can a business case be made for acting sustainably. The business case for sustainability brochure this site uses cookies that are set on your browser to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. All the cases focus on aspects of responsible management, including social responsibility, anticorruption and sustainability. This is the table of contents for the book sustainable business cases v. For more details on it including licensing, click here. The business case for sustainability agenda csprig 2012. The business case for sustainability resources cfda.
The business case for sustainability is evolving sustainability used to be at arms length from core business decisions and seen as additional it was often used to manage areas like brand or direct environmental impacts. Ive seen the basic question whats the business case for sustainability. Aug 02, 2017 whereas some see sustainability and the business case as contradictions and thus emphasize the existence of tradeoffs, others highlight how potential business cases can be created by managing ecological, social, and economic aspects. Making the business case for environmental sustainability pdf. The global survey of senior executives from around the world conducted by the economist in 2011 found that 76 percent of respondents think that embedding sustainability into the companys. Developing value the business case for sustainability in emerging.
This brochure pulls together a variety of references to make the business case for sustainability, using ifc client examples. Water has largely been considered a free raw material and therefore used inefficiently, but. Bob is the author of the sustainability champions guidebook, the next sustainability wave, and the original edition of the sustainability advantage. The business case for sustainability brochure the financial valuation fv tool tool for sustainability investments. The numbers weve discussed are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes the business case for sustainability. It is intende d for use in undergraduate business courses and will also be of interest to students in environmental studies, engineering, urban. Actively contribute own ideas to more sustainability in the company. Sustainable business core concepts and frameworks to chapter 6 sustainable business marketing introduces students to sustainability and sustainable business and presents key concepts, analytical frameworks, and contextual information. In addition, consumers, investors, and policymakers around. Embedded sustainability efforts clearly result in a positive impact on business performance.
This open access is brought to you for free and open access by the ucf theses and dissertations at stars. The new book makes an even more compelling business case for sustainability strategies than described in its 2002. A business case for sustainability is different from a conventional economic business case. The issue of sustainability and specifically sustainable business is of increasing. Dell incorporated the business case for a sus tainable supply chain about the company dell is one of the worlds largest computer manufacturers and technology companies.
1030 1222 1523 572 1380 81 992 1247 1389 727 235 912 1580 959 274 824 800 1332 617 415 711 579 968 1617