Creating a greener footprint is high on agenda of business

As another World Environment Day is observed on June 5, the issue about sustainabile development gains currency once again. A spate of natural disasters and calamities across the world--that too within a short span of time--point to the hard-hitting reality that surrounds us today. It is high time that approporate collective initiatives are undertaken on an urgent basis, right now. In fact, the novel coronavirus outbreak itself has highlighted the significance of a safe, clean and sustainable environment like never before. 

Independent think-tanks, experts and environmental groups have long been propapagating the idea of a climate-safe and nature-positive future for everyone. US President Joe Biden’s 2022 budget proposal includes more than $36 billion to fight global climate change, an increase of more than $14 billion compared with 2021. This in itself should drive home the message. 

For quite a while now, scientists have been pointing to the grave reality about earth’s ice loss, which is accelerating as rising temperatures in the atmosphere and ocean drive melting from pole to pole. While we have been witnessing melting glaciers in Antartica or Arctic oceans, which are geographically far away regions for us, the grim environmental reality is hitting closer home now. 

Experts point to the fact that there is an increasing trend of cyclones in Arabian Sea and this frequency of intense cyclones could be linked to climate change. As global warming gathers momentum, intense cyclones from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are making landfall with greater frequency on an annual basis. In fact, 2020 was the year of cyclones.

As they say, there are two sides of the same coin. On one hand, environmental issues such as climate change and plastic pollution are dominating the headlines, on the other hand there are brands, companies and organisations that are trying their bit in making a difference in their own way.

MOVE TOWARDS GREEN PRACTICES

From farm-to-fork restaurants to garments made with recycled fabric, every market is gradually gravitating towards the idea of adopting green practices. Stella McCartney and Mara Hoffman claim to use ethically sourced, organic and recycled materials. Gucci has recyclable packaging; Versace has stopped using animal products and many brands, including Burberry, are rethinking the practice of burning their stock. 

As the consumer becomes more conscious and aware, going green is also a great business strategy to build a robust brand image. It is a given then that the brands and organisations are investing in an eco-friendly infrastructure.

In the world of fashion today, an organic material matters as much as a dress’s colour and silhouette. Lenzing produces wood-based viscose fibres, modal fibres, lyocell fibres and filament yarn, which are used for clothing, home textiles and technical textiles.

Travellers today are far more discerning than what they were a decade ago. As responsible global citizens, guests insist on booking hotels and resorts that practise sustainability actively, instead of paying a lip service to it. Some of the top-notch hotels as a brand practice sustainability in all forms, which include recycling beer bottles and making glasses, using solar heaters to heat water, growing their own vegetables and fruits in-house in an organic manner and using it to prepare food.In India, ITC Hotels have adopted a low-carbon growth strategy focusing on enhanced use of renewable energy, establishment of green buildings as well as reduction in specific energy and water consumption. 

In the real estate sector, attitudes have changed, prompted not just by regulatory requirements but also by stakeholder expectations that have risen – among investors, tenants and clients.  Emerging trends like the integrated building management systems and net zero concept buildings have gained popularity as it does not depend on any external source for energy and water. With a massive shift in mindsets now inclining towards the idea of encouraging sustainability, green building concepts have taken the front foot in the real estate industry. 

In the Indian context, there are companies like JSW Cement who are actively displaying a strong commitment towards innovation in sustainability and technology to offer environment-friendly construction and building solutions. The company has been instrumental in raising the bar and is known as India’s leading ‘Green Cement’ manufacturer. For example, the company has reached a production capacity of 14 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) with minimum industrial wastage over the past 13 years. 

Every drop counts, as they say. In a similar vein, every step initiated by an inpidual or organisation lends a new hope of building a sustainable environment 

SUMMING IT UP

The various environmental concerns such as climate change, water scarcity, inequality and hunger, can only be resolved at a global level by promoting sustainable development: a commitment to social progress, environmental balance and economic growth.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda rightfully highlights the Sustainable Development Goals as it promotes the idea to protect the planet and guarantee the global well-being of people. This, however, would not be possible without the active involvement of inpiduals, businesses, administrations and countries from across the world.