Businesses usually invest to create a competitive advantage. R&D (SpaceX), brand strategy (Crocs) or perhaps acquisition (ANZ). With sustainability, you’re likely to be paid for the privilege.
Let’s start with my ‘risk-free’ claim. Uneducated business leaders think sustainability is a cost. This is generally untrue and, to give a real example, I posted that one of my own businesses increased profits within a year by going net carbon zero (see the resource hub at greenhalo.nz). You’re likely to reduce your costs while improving your recruitment proposition and, all things being even, retaining your staff.
A Mini Competitive Advantage
Within five years, businesses with carbon certification will be seen as innovative and set themselves apart, especially if your industry is conservative. New Zealand Zero / NZ0 is an inspiring example with a competitive advantage that creates price premium and much reduced overheads.
In five years, carbon certifications will start becoming a business hygiene factor. Grant Thornton International Ltd Business Report survey shows that 62% of businesses believe sustainability to be as important or more important than financial success.
In ten years, you will be seen as a laggard without a published reduction in your carbon emissions. Jonathan Pooch (he/him), Managing Director at DETA, states, “By 2040, you’re either going to be net zero or you’re going to be the next Kodak, in that you’re going to be gone.”
Why You Need To Start Now
It generally takes a year to measure your carbon emissions (a time-consuming exercise without GreenHalo) and another year to demonstrate reduced emissions. That’s two years before you can tell an honest story.
If this article resonates, please like and then share with your boss. GreenHalo is a carbon accounting platform and not a sustainability consulting company. But we can put you in touch with some good ones.
Chris Bailey
GreenHalo Founder
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