It is possible to appeal to top management using either a financial or strategic (risk-based) argument. Top management will generally respond better to a well-reasoned financial argument but there is no conflict – it is entirely possible to be more sustainable and to improve profits at the same time.
Sustainability is not simply about environmental issues; it is also about social and economic issues and about the issues which link these main topics.
Improving sustainability is often seen as a cost but a well-directed and managed sustainability management program can easily deliver substantial cost savings through resource use reductions, e.g., a well-managed energy management program can give a 30% reduction in energy use and costs for many sites. This is equally true for other sustainability actions such as improved water management and improved waste management.
Companies need to stop thinking about sustainability as a cost and start thinking about sustainability as an opportunity to review operations and reduce costs.
It is impossible to ignore the strategic aspect of sustainability. Whatever the cost debits or credits, failing to improve sustainability can lead to society and legislators withdrawing a company’s right to operate.
Dr. Robin Kent is the author of ‘Sustainability Management in Plastics Processing’, published by the British Plastics Federation and Managing Director of Tangram Technology Ltd. (www.tangram.co.uk), consulting engineers for energy and sustainability management in plastics processing.
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