Why business leaders should be at the forefront of sustainability

In today’s world, sustainability is a business imperative. This cannot be overstated as the decisions we make today can have far-reaching impacts.

I believe we, as business leaders, have the leverage, voice and vote to make impactful changes not just within our organisations but also across our wider communities.

It’s key to business success

Sustainability has a number of positive benefits for businesses, from stimulating innovation to strengthening relationships with clients, stakeholders and communities – because it matters to them. It also has positive cultural benefits, increasing employee engagement and commitment.

However, the pathway to sustainable operations requires more than just intent. It needs committed leadership and governance. It is the responsibility of business leaders to pave the way, demonstrating that sustainable practices are integral to the business through actions, not words.

It's about progress, not perfection

The sustainability issue can feel like a significant mountain to climb, leading to inertia. My philosophy is that it is about progress, not perfection; if every business takes small steps, then together we can go far. ?

For example, VERTO, as a regionally based business, must use vehicles to reach the people who need us. Changing this would negatively impact our community. We’ve started where we can, such as switching to electric vehicles. However, this isn’t always possible, as some regions simply don’t have the infrastructure yet.

So, we have a plan for today – and one for tomorrow. As new battery technology emerges that increases longevity, and access to infrastructure increases, we’ll continue to review and make incremental changes for the better. What is available today is only a fraction of what is to come, but it is essential to start somewhere.

Look to existing guidelines and benchmarks to light the path forward?

At VERTO, we’ve aligned our approach to the Australian Government’s Sustainable Procurement Guide. Using this has helped us reinforce our commitment to minimising our environmental impact.

A significant step in our journey was commissioning an assessment of our carbon emissions. This comprehensive evaluation didn’t just help us understand our current carbon footprint; it’s helped us to create a robust framework for emission reduction aligned with achieving the Australian Government's Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard.

Make it measurable, meaningful and integrated

It’s critical that your governance structure is in place to help you integrate sustainability into your core operations. At VERTO, our Executive Leadership Team plays a significant role, leading the charge with ambitious but attainable goals, monitoring progress and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

This approach is designed to make our journey towards sustainability transparent, measurable and, most importantly, impactful.

It ebbs into every area of our business. For example, our procurement teams prioritise suppliers and products that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, enabling us to amplify our impact.

The call to action

Reflecting on the journey so far, it’s clear that the transition to sustainable operations is not only an environmental imperative, it’s a strategic move towards business resilience, innovation and sustained success.

Integrating sustainability into the heart of business operations is challenging and rewarding, but it is a journey of progress, not perfection. At VERTO, we are proud to be part of this transformation and encourage every business leader to consider sustainability a part of their business strategy. Together, we can achieve a greener future for all.

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