Make your business more sustainable

Taking into account the requirements of key stakeholders will help you develop a sustainability strategy that delivers the greatest business benefits.

For example, individual consumers may prefer to purchase 'green' products from 'green' suppliers. Business customers may also prefer to source from more sustainable suppliers, as part of their own commitment to sustainable development.

Other key stakeholders include suppliers, employees, investors and regulators. In each case, understanding and reflecting their concerns can help you develop a more effective business strategy.

You should ensure that stakeholders understand your commitment to sustainable development, and what you are doing about it. For example, you might publicise your policy and specific objectives through developing and implementing sustainability plans.

Environmental regulators and other organisations are also good sources of ideas and advice.

Engaging employees in sustainability

Your employees can be a very useful source of ideas. They often have a good understanding of the impact of different activities, and how customers and other stakeholders feel about your business as they are more likely to interact with them on a daily basis.

Employees can also be an important part of executing your plans, and may in any case want to help make the business more sustainable. It's worth considering training and incentives to encourage employees to support your strategy.