In 2023, businesses are under more pressure than ever to meet environmental responsibilities. A sustainability policy outlines your commitment towards ethical and environmental practices and procedures within your business.
It’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to demonstrate they are working towards becoming more sustainable.
Reducing your carbon footprint, decreasing waste and developing sustainable practices are commonly the first elements of a business making a positive change towards becoming more sustainable.
Many businesses will also only work with companies that have a sustainable approach, and the first way of demonstrating your sustainable intentions is with a sustainable policy.
What is a Sustainability Policy?
A Sustainability Policy should detail the requirements and practical steps to enable you to meet the sustainability objectives of your business and be a key part of your Sustainable Strategy.
How can a Sustainability Policy help my business?
Although creating a Sustainability Policy is an investment in time, the benefits for your business far outweigh the effort. In its simplest form it’s an opportunity to:
- put sustainability at the heart of your business
- create competitive advantage
- improve your brand reputation
Once created, a Sustainability Policy will help you meet your sustainability objectives. It is a living, working document that should be used to help inform decision making, and clearly describes your sustainability parameters. It should be updated regularly in line with the demands of the business and new legislation.
The requirements section of your Sustainability Policy should be summarised on your website, clearly visible and accessible. Integrate it with your communications strategy and marketing messages, shout about it from the rooftops and be proud to have taken a positive step to making your business more sustainable.
How do I create a Sustainability Policy?
There is no one size fits all in terms of content, but the value gained from having a tailored policy is that you are more likely to meet your business’s sustainability objectives.
To create a policy you need to have defined your sustainability objectives, the policy will then help you to achieve those objectives.
We’ve created a workbook to help you understand what a Sustainability Policy is, how it’s relevant to your business and how you can create one. So, get in touch if you’d like us to send it to you.
Are you ready to make you business more Sustainable?
As part of our membership we create workbooks (just like the one above) and templates for businesses to help them on their journey to becoming more sustainable. If you’re ready to make your business more sustainable and join the Alliance, you can find out more on our membership page.
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