If your organisation is committed to sustainability, you can share your commitment with your stakeholders with a simple sustainability statement.
Writing a sustainability statement is pretty straightforward and involves summarising the actions you are willing to take to achieve your goals. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you put one together for your business:
1. Define what sustainability means to you and your company.
Sustainability means different things to different people. Your understanding of sustainability for you and your business depends on a whole lot of factors including but not limited to:
your knowledge and education in your own field of expertise
cultural and social values that made you the person you are today
economic and political systems of your country and region
personal experiences and beliefs
The media
So naturally your views about a hot topic like sustainability could be different from others around you. And that's ok, as long as you clearly define what sustainability means to you and your business for your stakeholders. Here's a video that can help you get started on this step by explaining some common misconceptions about sustainability.
2. The second step is to define what your sustainability goals are.
Determine what your organisation hopes to achieve in terms of sustainability. This may include reducing your carbon footprint, conserving natural resources, or promoting social equity and justice.
3. Review your current sustainability practices.
Assess what your company is already doing to achieve its sustainability goals. This can include activities like using renewable energy, electrifying your vehicles, reducing waste or implementing sustainable supply chain practices.
4. Consider your stakeholders.
Think about the stakeholders who will be reading your sustainability statements, such as customers, investors, and employees. Consider what is important to them and how your company's sustainability practices align with their values.
5. Discuss your company's progress.
Share your company's progress towards its sustainability goals, even if they seem like small steps to you. This shows your ongoing commitment. Use data and evidence to support your sustainability claims. This can include metrics such as energy use reductions, waste diversion rates, or emissions reductions.
6. Discuss future plans.
Share the steps your company plans to take in the future to continue to improve its sustainability practices. This can include things like investing in energy-efficient technology, implementing a recycling program, or partnering with sustainable suppliers.
Overall, a sustainability statement should clearly communicate your company's commitment to sustainability and the specific actions it is taking to achieve its goals. Remember to keep your sustainability statement concise and easy to understand. Use clear language, avoid jargon, and provide concrete examples to illustrate your points. And if you need any help, give us a shout!
