What are some successful sustainability strategies that have had a positive social impact?

A concrete example applied to the supply chain is when from the moment of purchasing planning, we choose recyclable, biodegradable or returnable materials and packaging. In this way, from the beginning of the chain, we generate a boost to reuse and make the most of resources. After the products have been consumed, it is important to establish a network of alliances and collaboration with recyclers, revalorizers and processors who will be able to give a new life to the packaging and products out of use. The trick is to think about the circular economy from the beginning, even when choosing a supplier, choosing those who can demonstrate that they obtained their resources sustainably.

In my journey with Circle Economy, I've discovered the circular economy's potential to reshape education and learning. It’s not just about sustainable business practices, it’s an educational revolution. We’re teaching the next generation to see waste not as an endpoint, but as a resource. This educational shift is a subtle yet powerful aspect of circularity, paving the way for a future where sustainability is ingrained in our collective consciousness.

Improved health: By reducing pollution and promoting sustainable practices, the circular economy can contribute to improved public health. This is achieved through various means, such as: Minimizing air and water pollution from resource extraction and waste disposal. Promoting the use of sustainable materials and products that are free of harmful chemicals. Encouraging active lifestyles through initiatives like community gardens and bicycle-sharing programs.

Without doubt, one the sustainability strategies with positive social impact is adoption circular economy business models. Let's see: -Creates jobs: The transition to circular economy creates jobs in sectors such as recycling, reuse and remanufacturing. -Promotes social inclusion: circular economy promote social inclusion by creating opportunities for disadvantaged people, such as people with disabilities or people in vulnerable situations. -Improves quality of life: circular economy improves quality of life by reducing pollution and the environmental impacts of extracting resources from the planet, as well as encouraging an active lifestyle. Portugal has god examples in the textile sector which, are good examples of this positive impact.

In the pursuit of a circular economy, companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of minimizing waste and extending the lifespan of products. A notable example is the initiative led by the electronics giant, Dell, which launched a program to collect and refurbish used electronics. Through their partnership with organizations like Goodwill, Dell refurbishes computers and donates them to schools & non-profits, contributing not only to a reduction in electronic waste but also enhancing access to education. This approach exemplifies the dual impact of a circular economy, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns & fostering positive social change by creating opportunities for learning & communication in underserved communities.

An exemplary case is TOMS Shoes, a renowned social enterprise. TOMS follows a one-for-one model, where for every pair of shoes sold, another pair is donated to a child in need. This innovative approach not only provides essential footwear but also empowers underserved communities. Moreover, TOMS has expanded its impact beyond shoes to eyewear and coffee, showcasing the versatility of social enterprises in addressing diverse social needs. By employing inclusive hiring practices, offering training, and providing support to marginalized individuals, TOMS exemplifies how a business's success can be intertwined with positive social change.

A social enterprise is a business driven by a central social or environmental mission, channeling its profits back into advancing those goals. By addressing societal challenges and creating social value, social enterprises contribute to positive social impact. For instance, some focus on providing clean water, renewable energy, affordable healthcare, or quality education to underserved communities. Additionally, social enterprises often prioritize employing individuals facing barriers to employment, such as refugees, ex-offenders, or people with disabilities. Through training, mentoring, and support, these enterprises contribute to empowering marginalized groups and fostering social change.

Example of a social enterprise is Ben & Jerry's, an ice cream company known for its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Beyond producing popular ice cream flavors, Ben & Jerry's actively engages in social initiatives. They source fair-trade ingredients, support local communities, and advocate for various social and environmental causes. Ben & Jerry's has a long-standing tradition of using its platform to raise awareness about issues such as climate change, social justice, and marriage equality. The company demonstrates how a business can integrate social and environmental values into its core operations, making a positive impact beyond its products.

Social enterprises – they’re like the hipster cafes of the business world, brewing up profits with a generous shot of social good. Instead of just bragging about green practices, they’re out there turning a profit while tackling societal issues. Sometimes they under the microscope when keen observers begin to challenge just how socially conscious they truly are. For instance, Everlane has faced controversy, and Patagonia manufactures in the same low-wage countries as fast-fashion brands, which raised questions.

I wholeheartedly agree with Sanvedi's example of Dell's circular economy initiative. Actively engaging stakeholders builds trust and meets their expectations. In the case of property owners, convening tenant roundtables to co-develop sustainability plans tailored to their workspace needs seeds intrinsic motivation far more than mandated retrofits. Especially when reinforced through green leases that share utility savings, participatory goal-setting cements shared values and the reputation to attract like-minded partners. Ultimately, two-way dialogue outperforms one-way dictates.

Stakeholder engagement involves involving and communicating with individuals and organizations impacted by or influencing a business, such as customers, employees, suppliers, investors, regulators, and communities. This process can generate positive social impact by fostering trust, loyalty, and collaboration while addressing diverse stakeholder needs and expectations. Businesses can establish feedback platforms to improve products and services, and collaborate with stakeholders to co-create solutions and support societal causes. Through effective engagement, businesses can enhance relationships and contribute positively to the communities they serve.

Stakeholder engagement is a crucial driver of positive social impact for a company, as it involves actively involving and collaborating with various individuals or groups who have a stake or interest in the business. By engaging stakeholders, a company can better understand the diverse needs and expectations of its community, customers, employees, investors, and other relevant groups. This engagement facilitates the development of socially responsible practices that align with stakeholder values and contribute to the betterment of society. Transparent communication with stakeholders helps build trust, fostering a positive reputation and brand image.

Sure, it’s a noble tale with unfulfilled potential, often more storybook than textbook. But imagine if it was truly embraced – companies and customers dancing together in harmony, crafting policies that don’t just look good on paper. Now that’s a plot twist worth writing home about.

I have a dream that one day our boardrooms will reflect the diverse tapestry of society, where every shade of humanity is not just included but integral. The positive impact is profound: diverse perspectives foster innovation, mirror our diverse markets, and enhance problem-solving, leading to decisions that resonate with a broader spectrum of society and the economy. Yet, when we step into the boardroom today, we're greeted with a grayscale palette reminiscent of the 1950s, despite our talks of embracing all the colors of the human rainbow.

Diversity and inclusion involve ensuring that individuals with various backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and experiences are respected, valued, and represented in a business's culture, workforce, leadership, and decision-making. These practices contribute to positive social impact by promoting innovation, creativity, productivity, and fostering social justice, equity, and human rights. Businesses may implement policies and programs to recruit, retain, and promote diverse talent, creating an inclusive work environment. Leveraging diversity and inclusion efforts can also enable businesses to better connect with and serve diverse markets and customers.

Diversity and inclusion can drive a positive social impact for a company in several ways. Firstly, fostering diversity within the workforce ensures a representation of varied perspectives, experiences, and talents, promoting innovation and creativity. This can lead to the development of products and services that cater to a diverse customer base. Secondly, an inclusive workplace culture that values and respects differences contributes to higher employee morale, satisfaction, and productivity. Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion often attract and retain top talent, creating a more skilled and adaptable workforce.

Para las organizaciones, los desafíos que enfrentan las hombres y mujeres en el ámbito laboral y la importancia de identificar, medir, dise?ar y comunicar indicadores de género no son sólo una cuestión de equidad y cumplimiento normativo, sino también una preocupación económica y de eficiencia empresarial. Es por esto que integrar políticas que busquen un balance de género en las empresas produce múltiples beneficios, y si bien se han visto mejoras en el área, todavía queda mucho por hacer. Es necesario aplicar medidas correctivas, preventivas y formativas que deben ser dise?adas e implementadas a partir de la sistematización de datos concretos, estableciendo objetivos y métricas, lo que requiere de un compromiso explícito de la dirección.

Corporate philanthropy involves businesses donating money, goods, services, or time to charitable causes aligned with their values, vision, and strategy. This practice generates a positive social impact by supporting non-profit organizations, addressing social issues, and enhancing a business's reputation and goodwill. For instance, businesses may establish foundations or funds to support causes like education, health, environment, or human rights. Some businesses also encourage and facilitate employee volunteering or donations to charities of their choice.

Corporate philanthropy can drive a positive social impact for a company by contributing to community development, addressing social issues, and building a favorable brand reputation. Through philanthropic initiatives, companies can invest in projects and organizations that aim to improve education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and other societal challenges. By supporting local communities and charitable causes, companies demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility, creating a positive image and fostering goodwill among customers, employees, and stakeholders.

At its core, sustainability strategies must fundamentally consider both people and the planet, recognizing the intricate link between these two critical themes. Utilizing the SDGs offers a clear and structured roadmap to ensure that these strategies are comprehensive and interconnected, rather than being siloed into focusing on a singular element. The SDGs encompass a broad range of objectives, from environmental protection to social equity, economic development, and more. By aligning with these goals, businesses and organizations can ensure that their sustainability strategies are not narrowly focused on one aspect of sustainability, thereby losing sight of other pertinent areas of sustainable development.

Aligning with SDGs boosts brand reputation, opens new markets, improves efficiency, drives innovation, attracts talent, mitigates risk, and builds resilience. Businesses also contribute to global social impact by tackling poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity. Lawyers like us can play a vital role here too - by guiding compliance, assessing risks, drafting agreements, protecting IP, mediating disputes, and staying updated on the evolving legal landscape. This helps businesses maximize benefits and minimize legal risks, achieving sustainability goals, improving brand reputation, and making a positive impact.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges such as poverty, fair trade, responsible consumption and production, clean energy, clean water and sanitization, gender equality, quality education and more. Successful sustainability strategies need to align with these specific SDGs. The interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental dimensions plays a vital role in achieving sustainable development goals. By aligning with these goals, organizations can ensure that their sustainability strategies are not narrowly focused on one aspect of sustainability, thereby losing sight of other pertinent areas of sustainable development.

As Antonio insightfully stated, the SDGs interconnect social, environmental, and economic priorities that sustainability strategies must holistically address. For the built environment, certification schemes like LEED, GRESB, BREEAM, EnergyStar and EPRA already map to these global goals. But measurement is not enough. We must also empower stakeholders through education and data access to shift behaviors and formulate ongoing localization targets. Co-creating roadmaps with engaged communities will future-proof portfolios while accelerating sustainability.

How corporations procure their energy can have beneficial social impact outcomes and contribute to a more just clean energy transition. I advised a company that partnered with Clearloop on one of their solar installations in the U.S. South. They are building new solar energy facilities that focus on the most carbon intense parts of the American electricity grid.

Sustainable Agriculture Moving away from intensive farming practices, sustainable agriculture promotes ecological principles and responsible food production. Impact- Environmental- Improves soil health and fertility, reduces water pollution, and promotes biodiversity. Social- Provides fair wages and working conditions for farmers, improves food security, and promotes healthy eating habits. Economically viable- Ensures long-term sustainability and profitability for farmers and agricultural businesses. Motivation - A healthy planet, thriving communities, and a sustainable food system for all.

COVID-19 added one important sustainability strategy which is Health impact to social community, we need to add check point in public spaces and indoor spaces.

Using procurement budgets as a force for good! Corporations are missing out on the opportunity of buying social impact with money that will be spent anyway. The practice of Social Procurement is changing that. Corporations that are applying it, redirect their spend (partly) to social enterprise suppliers. And to bust some myths here: nope, they are not inherently less professional. Nope, they are not inherently more expensive. Yes, they offer products/services that are relevant to you.