Convincing Businesses to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Tags: Sustainable Development, Business, Industrial Engineering

Why sustainable practices are a smart business move…

New York Times Article — Convincing even the Skeptics to go Green

This article by the New York times invites a public discussion on the issue of how to get businesses to adopt sustainable practices. The point of the article is that you don’t have to be an expert on the issue or believe in the cause to recognize that it is good business to adopt sustainable practices. The article is conducted in an interview style. The interview is conducted by L. Hunter Lovins, president of Natural Captialism Solutions and co-author of “Climate Capitalism.” Thus, it will provide some useful insight and perspectives that will reach the general public. I plan on using some of his interview responses.

2. Green Lifestyle Magazine — How to Convince Your Boss to Go Green

This feature by the Australian magazine provides ten ways on how to convince business bosses to go green. It targets the general public audience and guides them on how to approach the issue. Some points mentioned were:

Use business speak

Green means savings

Green means happy and healthy staff

Green is good risk management

Green is good marketing

Green is for leaders

Thus, this article is a great way to gear my argument towards the public by showing them that the topic is relevant to them and that they can play a part in convincing businesses. What’s more it shows them exactly how.

3. 6 Ecofriendly Brands that will Inspire You to Go Green

While my issue focuses on convincing businesses, this article also looks at the role of consumers. Since we are all consumers, my arguement could consider the perspective and role consumers could play in motivating businesses. The article provides multiple well-known brands that have gone green and become successful such as Hershy. These are brands that are very familiar to the public and can be used as examples of well-known names that have been successful in going green.

4. Forbes — 10 ways to Green Your Business and Save Money

What better place to take advice from than Forbes, one of the most prominent and influential business magazines. Many people respect Forbes and businesses sure revere it as a credible source. This article talks about how going green can make businesses stand out and save money, all while helping save the planet. It provides ten different ways businesses can adopt sustainable practices such as switching to post consumer waste (PCW), using biodegradable cleaners, and using compact-flourescent (CFL) or LED lights to name a few.

5. Harvard Business Review — The Challenge of Going Green

This article by Harvard Business Review provides an interesting counter-argument that could be considered in establishing a dialogue with the public. They claim that going green and improving business seems like a great win, however it is unrealistic. This is because regulatory costs are extremely high and limited, so the article proposes reforming regulations to make them more flexible and attainable. Thus, it claims that environmental regulations have reduced competitiveness of businesses in the United States and has slowed down productivity. Additionally, the article also explores the other side of the arguement to make a comparison. It claims that environmental regulations are necessary and do not impede productivity. Finally, the authors move away from adopting these extremes and try to establish a middle ground. They provide their recommendations on what businesses should do. Thus, this article provides multiple view points and perspectives on the issue that could be shared by the public.

6. The Guardian — Why It’s Time for Businesses to Go Green

The Guardian is a good source for finding articles that are more suitable to a public audience. This article lists different incentives for businesses to go green including improving company brand, cost savings, competitive advantage, employee satisfaction, innovation, new sources of revenue, effective risk management, and shareholder relations. Not only does it also look at the economic benefits, but it does so in simplistic terms that the public would understand.

7. Stanford Social Innovation —Cultivating the Green Consumer

This article is unique in that it links the discourse between businesses and consumers. Here the role is reversed to how businesses can create more green consumers and the benefits that come with that. This is an interesting angle to consider. It talks about the barriers that prevent consumers from going green including lack of awareness, negative perceptions, distrust, high prices, and low availability. It also discusses how businesses should break down these barriers to reach the consumer public and how this would provide them with positive returns.

8. Tweet — What Can We Learn from the COVID19?

The corona pandemic is a very hot and relevant topic right now in the public discourse. It has affected all factors of life and has been included in all recent discussions. I think it would be very relevant and engaging to relate my issue to the corona virus as it has significantly impacted the economy and the issue of sustainable development. I found this tweet that links to an article about what businesses and the community can learn from the Covid-19 and how it could help us change practices for the better, now more than ever.

9. The Guardian — Is Sustainability now the Key to Corporate Success?

This article goes as far to say that sustainability is the key for businesses to succeed. It shows a study of businesses that had established sustainable practices from before versus those who didn't. The businesses with sustainable practices outperformed the conventional ones. I can use this study to provide a simple comparison of how two similar businesses can differ if they adopt sustainable practices or not, to show the benefits of going green.

10. Ted Talk — Sustainable Bussiness: It’s not just about the why

This Ted Talk by Jeremy Moon is very insightful and again links the relationship between consumers and businesses. He discusses how it’s not just about why businesses should adopt sustainable practices, but also how they should do so. This is usually the most difficult part in the process. It is easy to develop a plan and an incentive, but actually implementing it can be the hardest part. It’s important he claims to look beyond and challenge every stage of the supply chain to find opportunities for sustainable practice. He makes an important point to business: “to get what we need, we need to give others what they need.” He thus establishes a mutual relationship that impacts the public as well and does a great job at engaging the public.