The best thing we can all create right now is a future.
Climate change is accelerating through our unrelenting burning of fossil fuels, making weather systems more unpredictable. Resource scarcity is a growing reality, and economic structures are increasingly unstable. At a time when even consumers are prioritising purchases that are more ethical and sustainable, we need to pay attention.
Khandiz Joni, sustainability facilitator and founder of REGENASYST believes in taking a more holistic approach to sustainability that recognises that, as well as ‘going green’, living by a set of principles that permeate the business mission, vision, purpose, culture and wider community the business serves builds genuine sustainability.
It is this approach that creates tangible change.
Khandiz defines sustainability as “maintaining finances at a certain level without the depletion of natural resources or infringing on human rights” so that there is enough for everyone forever. Companies may do great work in carbon-cutting, but if they don’t create a safe, thriving culture, they risk increased ill health, burnout and resignations. A sustainable business is one that promotes a sense of belonging as well as one of the most powerful human motivators - hope.
As more companies seek to improve the quality of their employee experience, others will need to raise the bar or face losing their people to competitors. A meaningful sustainability strategy creates a competitive edge, and whilst it may require some initial investment, a sustainable business plan will pay dividends in the long term.
Khandiz says: “Putting sustainability at the core of your operations is a key part of risk management. Sustainability is a no-brainer when it comes to winning new contracts with buyers and brands and accessing finance from investors who are increasingly likely to look at your ESG criteria. If you want to future-proof your business, this work needs to be at the top of your agenda.”
Getting Started With Your Sustainability Strategy
One of the most valuable starting points for businesses of all sizes is identifying why they exist and who they serve beyond just generating revenue. When companies clearly define their purpose and values and begin to live by their principles, a change in mindset occurs. The work that businesses carry out to determine their mission, vision, purpose and values is often viewed purely as a marketing tool… and the results, let’s face it, tend to be a load of mealy-mouthed bullshit that hangs on the boss’s wall without anyone ever looking at it again.
When a company does not live by its values – or when it doesn’t clearly articulate what they are – it breaks trust both with its employees and with customers or audiences.
The good news (and boy, do we need some good news)?
Changing the processes that guide your internal decision-making and communication is one of the easiest ways to bring about positive transformation. It isn’t that hard to save the planet.
Thrive & Partners works closely with sustainability and regenerative business expert Khandiz Joni. For more information on REGENASYST please visit https://regenasyst.com/ or contact khandiz@vujadecreative.solutions
