New weekly Article Summarising the latest in Sustainability – Grab a hot drink, take 5 and share!

New Weekly Summary of all that is sustainability - Trends, podcasts, videos and more! Look out for 5 for Sustainability each week. Professional commentary on the industry from our Environmental LLM and Creative team.

1.What’s trending In the world of Sustainability relating to business?

Businesses are in a unique position to influence positive benefits for people and the planet through their daily operations, supply chain management and procurement practices. Sustainability is increasingly important for businesses to maintain a competitive edge, satisfy increasing stakeholder expectations and secure operations into the future.

In today’s world, business sustainability encompasses attention to such issues as climate change, the empowerment of women, protection of natural resources, corruption, human rights and end-to-end product responsibility.

Here are two trends in the world of business sustainability today:

Minimalism

Minimalism is an alternative way of living that actively questions mainstream mass consumption. Many social movements invite minimalist lifestyle choices that diverge from the mainstream. Examples include the ‘Tiny Home Movement’, ‘Buy Nothing for a Year’ and the rise of eco-conscious communities around the world. These eco-communities are often based on ‘intentional living’ or ‘compassionate living’ principles. Businesses that tap into this demand for products and services that support basic necessities, bulk buying, utilisation of recycled materials and production of goods through ethical supply chains, are the way of the future.

Zero Waste and Circular Economy

The true concept of zero waste is actually synonymous with ‘circular economy’. Circular economy represents a vision for the reuse and recycling of every item and product currently in existence. The linear concept of production, consumption and disposal is replaced by a systems thinking approach that views all materials circulating in the economy to hold a value, with the potential to be reused. It will become increasingly important for businesses to be attentive to creating pathways to zero waste operations. There are also huge business opportunities to create products that centre around the recovery and reuse of existing products and materials.

2.What’s impacting the Sustainability industry?

Increased Transparency

Increased transparency around business practices, through global sustainability reporting initiatives such as the Global Reporting Initiative, Green Rankings and Global 100 are increasing the visibility, value and benefits of environmentally and socially responsible business operations for society.

 Organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Economic Forum have encouraged businesses to increase transparency, conserve resources, and improve coordination with governments and civil society. The focus on responsibility has led a number of companies to build a business case for environmental sustainability and socially beneficial projects, resulting in increased awareness of the positive role the private sector can play to benefit people and the planet.

3. What technology is available right now. (Latest and best sustainability technology for business summary)

Sustainable businesses understand that consumers are becoming more eco-conscious and are using online tools and technology to understand their personal impact on the environment. Individuals can consciously consider their personal impact on a range of locally relevant parameters when travelling internationally, for example, or work out their individual carbon footprint based on lifestyle choices and make adjustments to reduce their impact.

 Forward-looking businesses, that want healthy operations long-term, have accepted broader responsibility and embraced practices that reduce environmental damages, while promoting broader social benefits.

4. What are we listening to?

The Future of life Podcast

Link: Podcast

Topics discussed in this episode include:

  • How getting used to climate change may make it harder for us to address the issue

  • The social cost of carbon

  • The effect of temperature on mood, exercise, and sleep

  • The effect of temperature on public safety and democratic processes

  • Why it’s hard to get people to act

  • What we can all do to make a difference

  • Why we should still be hopeful

  • Publications discussed in this episode include:

·      Rapidly declining remarkability of temperature anomalies may obscure public perception of climate change

·      Night time temperature and human sleep loss in a changing climate

·      Climate change may speed democratic turnover

·      Climate change may alter human physical activity patterns

·      Weather impacts expressed sentiment

·      Empirical evidence of mental health risks posed by climate change

·      Temperature impacts on economic growth warrant stringent mitigation policy

·      Contribution of anthropology to the study of climate change

·      Negotiating adaptation: Norm selection and hybridization in international climate negotiations

5. What are we watching?

 Stella McArtney’s beautiful depiction of connection with Land