What are some common sustainability strategies and how can you implement them?

These three elements are key topics we focused on in our Circularity Gap Report 2023. In the circular economy, we've seen how crucial it is to evolve beyond traditional practices. Especially in 'reuse', there's a goldmine of innovation. It's not just about repurposing products but redesigning them for multiple lifecycles, leading to more sustainable consumption patterns. By integrating these circular economy principles, we can move towards a system that's regenerative by design.

Reducing, reusing, and recycling are foundational principles in sustainable living. Here in depth, giving the way of adopting these in our behavior : Reduce: ? Mindful Consumption ? Energy and Water Conservation ? Minimalism and Decluttering Reuse: ? Embrace Reusable Alternatives ? Repair and Repurpose ? Donate or Share Recycle: ? Establish a Recycling System: ? Know Local Recycling Guidelines: ? Support Community Recycling Initiatives: Integrating Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in Daily Life: ? Education and Communication ? Meal Planning and Waste Reduction ? DIY and Upcycling Projects By implementing these practices, households can significantly reduce their environmental impact and conserve resources.

The most important element in sustainability is ensuring that products last longer, are able to be repaired, reused and, most importantly, we consume less. A 1.5 future is not able to be achieved by offsetting and carbon capture. It is essential that we review our lifestyle and we make smarter choices. 1. Buy less but higher quality. 2. Make sure you buy things that can be easily meded. 3. Think of your purchase, resist the quick checkout and short-lived trends. 4. Learn how to make use of food leftovers, such as vegetable skins or greens. 5. Be mindful of your heating consumption – there is no reason to dress in shorts while at home in winter. Generally, focus on whether your everyday choices can be optimised, you can save money too!

Important consideration for implementing sustainability strategies is to parallelly work on low-hanging fruits (energy efficiency, lighting, converting to green transportation, waste reduction, having governance structures for sustainability implementation, accounting GHG, etc.) and also investing in and de-risking innovative technologies, thus creating a market for the next solutions. We have to work with the bounded rationality model here. We have a lot of uncertainties in sustainability implementation, and the timing for implementation is limited, so the decision we take on sustainability will be bound by these factors and the strategies will have some blind spots. However, this is the best way to avert possible climate events!

Harness the value of earth's precious resources to their fullest potential: - Reduce consumption and demand for more materials by only using what you need. This step has the greatest positive impact as it limits further extraction of precious resources. - Reusing materials (for the same or different use) retains their effective value for multiple life cycles. Designing, fabricating, and constructing with reuse in mind will increase the possibility that the materials can remain in use for longer periods of time and be more flexible for new uses. - Recycling (or Upcycling) keeps materials in effective use when they are not easily reused in their original form. This last step prevents the complete waste of valuable resources.

The best investment with shortest ROI and longest payback on investment is a Cool Roof Coating. At 25% to 50% less than a tear off and replacement its the first step in reducing heat island effects and global warming and can reduce your HVAC costs by up to 35%. No other investment will provide as many benefits as that one single on time - 20 year investment.

Dies ist ein wichtiger und vor allem sehr einfacher Schritt, der oft von Unternehmen umgesetzt wird, die noch am Anfang ihrer Nachhaltigkeitsreise stehen. Für Fortgeschrittene sollten dann aber weitere Schritte folgen, zum Beispiel die Umstellung von Produktionsprozessen um Energie zu sparen oder sogar die Umstellung der Produkte selbst. Das ist meist der kompliziertere part, da Investitionen in Maschienen, Materialien und generell in R&D notwendig werden.

As working on a net zero and low-carbon intensity, I don't think that biomass is renewable because it causes deforestation, natural sources depletion and CO2 emissions. Biomass is not a low-carbon intensity fuel.

Generally, the focus of most discussions around sustainability usually centres on energy (and its efficient use). Water is often the overlooked orphan, which is just as important but does not have the same appeal, profile, interest or finesse. But without a doubt, implementing water-efficient technologies, recycling and reusing water, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices can go a long way to contributing towards effective sustainability practices. As such, it is important to acknowledge the interconnectedness of water and energy, as many energy production methods, including hydropower, have implications for water resources. And many water production methods, desalination, pumping, water electrolysis etc all require energy.

It's easy to get caught up in the tech of switching to green power - solar panels, wind turbines, all that buzz. But remember, the real energy comes from within! Talk to your team about the WHY. Share the stories of how your green energy will impact lives, protect the planet, and create a brighter future. Passion fuels progress, so ignite that spark and watch your green goals soar!

Ich finde es wichtig, auch die eigenen Mitarbeiter:innen dabei zu unterstützen nachhaltiger zu sein. Das kann ein Zuschuss zu den ?ffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln, Jobrad, oder die Incentivierung von umweltfreundlichem Verhalten auf andere Art und Weise sein. Vielleicht gibt es einfach zu Weihnachten einen Gutschein für die Fahrradwerkstatt?

While we need sustainable practices like the above mentioned, it‘s important to say that these are usually not the biggest lever. Depending on the business model, aspects like emissions, energy, resources and water are more important than smaller consumption choices. Procurement does play a critical role though, as those would be the Scope 3 emissions of a company. Instead of promoting more sustainable practices to employees, the company should kick off their own sustainability transformation by setting ambitious goals and implementing measures that show employees that the company takes the topic seriously.

Simple but good, und wirklich wirksam, wenn sich jeder daran h?lt: Einfach das Wasserglas mehrfach verwenden, Licht nur einschalten, wenn ein Raum genutzt wird und Wasserh?hne w?hrend beispielsweise Einseifen ausschalten. Klappt im privaten, sowie Corporate Umfeld.

Most people do not know that LEED points can be achieved simply by looking for materials that are recycled and can give you leed points, we did cool roof coating job and got added points for using recycled rubber pipe stands, and a few other relatively small items, which gave us points to go from Leed Bronze, to Silver to Gold. The price difference was negligible.

Oft wird umweltfreundlich als klimafreundlich abgetan - umweltfreundlich ist dabei deutlich umfangreicher und bedarf der Betrachtung von diversen Teilaspekten, nicht nur dem Thema Klima. Eine reine Fokussierung auf den Klimawandel führt langfristig zu kurz und betrachtet diverse Wechselwirkungen nicht ausreichend genug.

Engaging with stakeholders (i.e. a materiality assessment) should be the basis from which you define the strategy. Engaging with stakeholders this way helps to: 1) identify the most important issues to both the company and its stakeholders; 2) prioritize your efforts and resources on the most impactful issues; 3) demonstrate commitment to transparency and accountability, building trust; and 4) identify potential relevant risks and opportunities and proactively mitigate the risks and capitalize on the opportunities.

This is so important! Stakeholders should be systematically involved in the development and refinement of the sustainability strategy. They provide important information on which topics should be addressed and how well the company is performing.

In the multitude of possible stakeholders, the analysis must start with determining which stakeholders I want to keep, which ones I cannot change, and which ones I can change. As in all areas of life, businesses can only function when all parties share the same goal, the same way of doing things, and commit together to achieve the results. In the field of sustainability, the analysis is no different. You must share these factors with employees, suppliers, strategic alliances, etc., or otherwise, you won't have long-term companions with whom you feel comfortable in the development of your activity.

Eine Interaktion mit Stakeholdern ist umso erfolgreicher, je mehr in der Konzeption des Stakeholder Dialogs von Anfang an ein beiderseitiger Nutzen angestrebt wird. Die AA1000 listet insbesondere unter den Engagement Leveln INVOLVE, COLLABORATE und EMPOWER geeignete Methoden auf. Dabei lassen sich Synergien mit bereits bestehenden Plattformen / Kan?len (z. B. Qualit?tszirkel mit Lieferanten) nutzen, um die nicht vernachl?ssigbaren Aufw?nde für eine effektive Stakeholder Interaktion zu reduzieren.

Die Interaktion mit Stakeholdern stellt eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für erfolgreiche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien dar. Die Einbindung von Stakeholdern in den Nachhaltigkeitsprozess ist jedoch nicht nur ein Mittel zum Zweck, sondern auch ein Ausdruck unternehmerischer Verantwortung und Transparenz. Durch den Dialog mit verschiedenen Interessengruppen k?nnen Unternehmen nicht nur Chancen und Risiken besser identifizieren, sondern auch eine Kultur der Zusammenarbeit und des gemeinsamen Engagements für Nachhaltigkeit f?rdern. Ein kritischer Punkt hierbei ist, dass die blo?e Interaktion nicht ausreicht. Vielmehr muss die Kommunikation mit Stakeholdern authentisch und ergebnisorientiert sein, um wirkliche Ver?nderungen zu bewirken.

Innovation bildet zweifellos den Schlüssel zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung. Es erfordert nicht nur den Mut, Neues zu testen und langfristig lohnende Wege einzuschlagen, sondern auch die Verpflichtung, konkrete Schritte zu unternehmen, um diese Ziele zu erreichen. Allerdings beobachte ich h?ufig das Problem, dass Unternehmen sich zu ehrgeizige Ziele setzen, die entweder innerhalb des festgelegten Zeitrahmens nicht realisierbar sind oder die erforderlichen Ressourcen fehlen. Innovatives Denken erfordert eben auch eine realistische Einsch?tzung der verfügbaren Ressourcen und M?glichkeiten, um letztendlich im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit erfolgreich zu sein. #learningbydoing

Vor allem in Bereichen in denen es viele Quereinsteiger gibt, ist Austausch, Mentoring und alle anderen Formate, bei denen man voneinander lernt unglaublich wichtig. Innovation passiert am besten im Team und keiner kann derart komplexe Herausforderungen allein l?sen.

Innovation is an authentic part of sustainability. sustainability is about the reproduction, longevity and integration with Nature. innovation as a profess can help our societies to sustain, grow, work together. innovation is the key behind our mental, social and psychological vitality. reproduction of millions of new ideas and pumping fresh blood to our integration with the universe around us. in our rapidly changing life, innovation is our mechanism of coping with changes and a tool to social cohesion and mental stability.

Continual learning and innovation form a pivotal sustainability strategy. Stay abreast of the newest trends, best practices, and standards in sustainability. Engage with experts and peers for feedback and guidance, fostering a culture of shared knowledge. Experiment with fresh ideas and approaches to drive progress. Actualize this strategy by devouring literature—books, articles, blogs—and attending webinars, courses, or events. Join communities, nurturing a collective learning environment. Pursue grants or awards, leveraging opportunities for impactful sustainability solutions. Through ongoing learning and innovation, we pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.

Die Strategie, kontinuierlich zu lernen und innovativ zu sein, betont die Anpassungsf?higkeit im Nachhaltigkeitsbereich. Sie empfiehlt, durch aktuelle Studien, Veranstaltungen und Netzwerke informiert zu bleiben. Die F?rderung einer Kultur des Lernens und der Innovation im Unternehmen durch Schulungen, Mentoring und Belohnung von Exzellenz ist zentral. Dies erm?glicht nicht nur die Bew?ltigung aktueller Herausforderungen, sondern auch innovative L?sungen für eine nachhaltigere Zukunft.

EVALUIEREN und VERBESSERN – diese beiden Begriffe gehen Hand in Hand und geh?ren zusammen wie Topf und Deckel. Wir evaluieren, um unsere Schw?chen zu erkennen und zu überwinden, w?hrend wir gleichzeitig daran arbeiten, unsere St?rken weiter auszubauen. Man kann nur besser werden, wenn man seine Leistung ehrlich und realistisch bewertet.

One important suggestion would also be to evaluate what is important for YOUR employees first (via surveys or discussions). This way employees may feel more satisfied and involved in the sustainability journey. It is not enough to measure your sustainability process externally via metrics or goals, but also set internal milestones that are important for the people within the company.

Lego es un buen ejemplo respecto a la evaluación y mejora para procesos más sostenibles, ellos descubrieron que los bloques elaborados con tereftalato de polietileno reciclado (RPET) provocaban mayores emisiones de carbono por lo que seguirán invirtiendo en la investigación para encontrar un material que sea respetuoso con el medio ambiente a fin de dejar de utilizar las piezas de plástico derivados del petróleo.

Trial, trial & trial again. Switching to sustainable practices can feel daunting. What if it costs too much? What if it disrupts operations? But here's the thing: progress isn't about perfection, it's about progress. Start small: Implement one or two changes at first. Maybe it's switching to recycled paper or using energy-efficient lightbulbs. Track your progress: Monitor the impact of your changes. Are you saving money? Reducing waste? Celebrating those wins will keep you motivated. Don't be afraid to adjust: If something isn't working, adapt! That's the beauty of learning. Share your journey: Inspire others by talking about your experiences, both the successes and the stumbles.

"What gets measured, gets managed." Dieses Zitat von Peter Drucker ist auch auf das Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement anwendbar. Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien sollten in die Gesch?ftsstrategie integriert und genauso wie diese mit Zielen versehen sein. Idealerweise sind die Ziele SMART (Spezifisch - Messbar - Attraktiv - Realistisch - Terminiert), mit der Gesamtstrategie abgestimmt und auch auf Mitarbeiter-Zielvereinbarungen und -Incentivesysteme heruntergebrochen. Dann ist sichergestellt, dass Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien nicht nur Lippenbekenntnisse bleiben, sondern tats?chlich implementiert und Teil der Unternehmens-DNA werden.

Taking into account that sustainability is the set of actions to be implemented by companies to ensure that their activity doesn′t have a negative impact. I believe that sustainability has three levels: environmental, economic and social. The most important thing to be able to decide is to measure and then be able to act and reduce. Therefore, the first thing is the installation of measurement systems. When they are measured, objectives can be set in two ways. Consume less (the cheapest energy is the one that is NOT consumed) and then if it′s consumed, make sure it′s renewable. And we should not forget the social impact with awareness, promoting remote work, promoting access to the workplace through public transport etc..

Sustainability requires a holistic understanding of the business. You need to collect and analyze data across the entire value chain to optimize for sustainability. You need to perform end-to-end life cycle assessment of your products and services to deliver the best business results.

Businesses can adopt key sustainability strategies to minimize their environmental impact, enhance social impact and promote sustainability. These include enhancing energy efficiency through energy-saving measures and promoting remote work; reducing waste by implementing recycling programs and minimizing single-use plastics; supporting sustainable sourcing by choosing goods from eco-friendly companies; conserving water through low-flow fixtures; educating employees about sustainable practices like recycling and energy conservation; and encouraging green transportation options such as carpooling and cycling. These integrated strategies significantly contribute to a reduced environmental footprint and a culture of sustainability.

Supply chain emissions: focus on the process, not perfection. Evaluate, measure and track your scope 3 emissions based on GHG Protocol. It wouldn’t hurt to also evaluate other qualitative metrics (e.g., human rights, ethical conduct, fair pay, etc.). Collaborate with your suppliers and educate them about the importance of lowering their scope 1 and 2 emissions (the company’s scope 3). Sup internal processes to reward or exclude certain suppliers (e.g., via contract requirements). Finally, scope 3 data may not (and likely won’t be) perfect at first, but any data will help in setting the initial reduction target. Set targets for gathering better quantity and quality of data over time by streamlining data collection process.

Die Wichtigkeit nachhaltigen Handelns beginnt im Kleinen und betrifft jeden Einzelnen in der Gesellschaft. Diesen Sommer habe ich mich einer Klima-Challenge gestellt und innerhalb von nur 6 Wochen durch kleine Ver?nderungen in meinem Alltag ganze 67 kg CO2e eingespart. Das Spannende dabei ist, dass diese Erkenntnis mir gezeigt hat: Wenn ich diese Ma?nahmen bis zum Ende des Jahres konsequent fortsetze, werde ich sogar unter dem deutschen Jahresdurchschnittsverbrauch pro Kopf liegen. Es zeigt sich also sehr deutlich, dass jeder von uns einen Beitrag leisten kann – es f?ngt bei uns selbst an.