Top 10: Eco-Friendly Practices
Climate change and environmental damages could become so catastrophic that they end almost all modern practices as they are today.
Businesses play a crucial role in the fight against this and can lead consumers to a more sustainable future.
By adopting eco-friendly practices, companies can position themselves to continue doing business for years to come alongside reaping the rewards they bring.
Improved employee retention, more efficient operations and better consumer perceptions are just some of the benefits of becoming a more eco-friendly business.
We’ve ranked 10 of the top eco-friendly practices.
10. Resource conservation
Key benefit: Reduce habitat loss
Leading companies: Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Google
Resource conservation stretches from reducing use of fossil fuels to preserving ancient trees and wildlife.
Coca-Cola has been making efforts to conserve resources through using recycled materials and designing packaging for recyclability. It also aims to conserve freshwater through its 2030 Water Strategy.
“We recognize that water is essential to our business and to the communities where we operate, and are committed to being responsible stewards of this vital resource,” says Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey
“We want to do this by improving water availability, quality, access and governance – and taking a more granular watershed-based approach. In short, we’re focusing on doing what matters most, where it matters most.”
9. Inspiring sustainable change
Key benefit: Widen sustainability impacts
Leading companies: Patagonia, EY, IKEA
Whilst becoming more sustainable is important, inspiring others to join in can spread the impact of businesses’ efforts.
Patagonia has taken many inspirational steps in sustainability, including its 1% for the Planet initiative started by founder Yvon Chouinard. The business donates 1% of all sales to environmental causes and even encourages others to do the same.
Yvon says: "It’s simple: every business should be committed to people and the planet, above all else—for future generations and any future economy. The time is now to commit and join a powerful community of activists."
8. Adopting renewable energy sources
Key benefit: Reduce GHG emissions
Leading companies: Amazon, Starbucks, Samsung
As businesses look to reduce emissions through phasing out energy from fossil fuels, there is no question that renewable energy is the future of power.
Amazon achieved its goal to match 100% of the electricity consumed across its operations with renewable energy seven years ahead of schedule in 2023. The company has announced more than 500 renewable energy projects across 27 countries.
Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, says: “Our teams will remain ambitious, and continue to do what is right for our business, our customers and the planet.”
7. Minimising waste
Key benefits: Reducing pollution
Leading companies: Heineken, Dell, General Motors
Reducing waste doesn’t just impact the amount of rubbish on the planet, but also reduces the need for new materials or excess energy to manufacture products that will be wasted.
Heineken has made 120 of its 168 sites landfill free and is converting spent grains from its beer-making into animal feed and human food sources. Spent grains contain fibre that can also be used to produce renewable energy.
“With the advent of the Circle project, which contributes to Heineken's overall ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions on scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 and net zero emissions across our entire value chain by 2040, we are continuing to reduce our energy consumption and invest in local and renewable energy sources,” says Pascal Gilet, President of Heineken France.
6. Increasing circularity
Key benefit: Resources conserved and waste reduced
Leading companies: Renault, H&M, Canon
By transforming the world away from a ‘take-make-dispose’ model, companies can reduce strain on the planet’s natural resources alongside reducing waste and carbon emissions.
Renault Group began implementing circular strategies more than 10 years ago through both the beginning and end stages of products’ lives. When designing products, the company takes care to minimise the amount of rare resources needed, incorporate recycled materials and make products that can easily be repaired or deconstructed at end-of-life. In 2020 the company opened its Refactory where it remanufactures vehicles.
5. Green transportation
Key benefit: Reduced Scope 3 emissions
Leading companies: FedEx, DHL, XPO Logistics
Scope 3 emissions usually make up the majority of a company’s carbon footprint. Supply chains can involve hundreds or thousands of other companies, requiring masses of data and careful effort to reduce emissions.
FedEx is working to make its transportation greener both in the skies and on the roads. The company is replacing aircraft with more efficient planes and using technology to follow flight paths that use less fuel.
In the UK, FedEx is replacing diesel with HVO in its linehaul trucks. James Richards, Senior Manager Road Network Operations UK at FedEx, says: “This decision is another step towards our long-term goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040.”
4. Collaboration for supply chain sustainability
Key benefit: Improved supply chain transparency
Leading companies: Ball Corporation, Schneider Electric, RS Group
Without consistent sustainability regulations and standards around the world, companies across supply chains can be reporting to different levels. Collaboration is therefore key to gaining sustainability insights and reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Ball Corporation’s Climate Transition Plan targets a 55% reduction in absolute GHG emissions across the value chain by 2030 against the 2017 baseline and achieving net-zero carbon emissions between 2040 and 2050.
Mark Haslam, Logistics Director EMEA at Ball Corporation, says: “As a global company, we are acutely aware that regional differences in infrastructure and policy mean each country requires a different approach, at a different speed.
“That’s why the key to unlocking success is through ecosystem collaboration.”
3. Sustainable design and production
Key benefit: Efficient use of resources
Leading companies: Nike, LEGO, Unilever
Sustainable design and production seeks to minimise negative environmental, social and economic impacts throughout a product's lifecycle from the very start. From selecting the best materials to reducing use of energy in production, starting sustainability from the design stage can make a big difference.
Nike’s Move to Zero initiative aims to bring the company to zero carbon emissions and zero waste. To achieve this, the company is reusing existing plastics, yarns and textiles, and inventing entirely new materials for the creation of its shoes and clothes.
“We don’t wait for solutions; we create them. It’s what the world expects of Nike – and it’s what we expect from ourselves,” says John Donahoe, President and CEO at Nike.
Michelle Peluso, Chair of the Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Governance Committee at the Nike Board of Directors, explains: “Our belief in doing the right thing motivates us, as we create value for shareholders and inspire our community of athletes all over the world.
“It’s a focus that NIKE takes seriously as the global athletic market leader – we set bold, ambitious goals to show what’s possible for the greater industry.”
2. Employee engagement
Key benefit: Increased innovation
Leading companies: SAP, Google, Cisco
Engaging employees in business sustainability efforts can expedite results and foster inclusive innovation efforts. To engage employees in sustainability, companies could provide training and resources, foster a culture of open communication about sustainability goals and even encourage participation in eco-friendly or diversity initiatives.
Matthias Medert, Global Head of Sustainability at SAP, says: “We must support one another in our sustainability initiatives to create a meaningful impact for society and the environment.”
SAP aims to achieve net zero by 2030, alongside reducing waste and inequality. The company uses Employee Network Groups (ENGs) to inspire innovation and collaborate on solving sustainability challenges. Its ENGs represent more than 50 countries and include the Business Women’s Network, Black Employee Network and Autism Inclusion Network.
1. Environmental leadership
Key benefit: Expanding environmental impact
Leading companies: Iberdrola, Patagonia, Google
Whilst every individual step towards becoming more eco-friendly is important, businesses positioning themselves as environmental leaders can have a bigger and more holistic impact through incorporating sustainability and the environment into every facet of their operations.
Environmental leaders not only improve their own environmental impact, but also look to collaborate with and inspire others to fight the enormous global challenge that climate change poses.
Iberdrola works with companies around the world, including bp and GE Vernova, to increase the adoption of renewable energies, perhaps one of the biggest driving forces to a more sustainable future. It doesn’t stop there – the company also partners with governments for renewable energy projects.
In the UK, Iberdrola put into operation the largest wind farm in its history, called East Anglia ONE. The company also advocates for ambitious climate policies and action around the world.
“The current context demonstrates the need to accelerate the energy transition to guarantee a sustainable, robust and fair economy,” says Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán.
“The structural solution is clear: supporting renewable energy, efficient storage and smart networks to avoid future shocks, promote a self-sufficient energy system and reduce emissions.
“We have the technologies, a massive social consensus, and, as companies, we are ready to do our part and accompany our leaders in defining clear, stable, and coherent frameworks.”
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