A Practical Approach to Sustainability
IndieClime helps businesses assess their operations and define the boundaries of their climate responsibilities. Launching a sustainability program requires identifying the specific environmental impacts your company will address. Solutions may include operational changes that not only benefit the environment but also reduce costs. Alternatively, some initiatives may focus on compensating for environmental effects by mitigating harm in other areas.
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For example:
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A manufacturer might focus on the environmental effects of production and transportation.
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A company producing short-lifespan products may prioritize end-of-life disposal.
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A home improvement company could address solid waste generated during the removal of materials from homes before starting new projects.
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A professional services firm might spotlight the environmental impact of employee travel, office energy consumption, and paper usage
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Some businesses take a comprehensive approach by tackling multiple challenges.
For smaller businesses, fully mitigating 100% of their environmental impact may not be financially feasible. Instead, they can begin with a manageable target, such as offsetting 50% of their impact. A sustainability program remains credible as long as the limitations and plans for improvement are transparently communicated.
Case Study: Defining Sustainability Boundaries at a Pet Food Company
A pet food company’s sustainability team focused on two primary environmental impacts:
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Carbon Emissions from Shipping
The company prioritized reducing carbon emissions associated with shipping products to its operations hub and distribution centers. To achieve this, they partnered with an organization to develop a solar farm in Mississippi. This project reduced reliance on coal-fired power in a neighboring state. However, emissions from activities outside the company’s direct control—such as distributors transporting goods to retail stores—were excluded due to insufficient data.
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Plastic Waste from Non-Recyclable Packaging
To address the issue of plastic waste, the company joined a global initiative to retrieve and recover plastic waste in developing countries. This initiative not only helped reduce public health risks linked to solid waste pollution but also allowed the company to achieve plastic neutrality for one of its smaller brands.
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As the company grows, the sustainability initiative will expand to include additional brands. This will amplify the company’s environmental impact and demonstrate the scalability of targeted, strategic actions within a sustainability program.
Key Takeaways
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Define clear boundaries for sustainability efforts to ensure focus and effectiveness.
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Prioritize impactful areas based on your business operations and financial capacity.
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Scale efforts incrementally to balance feasibility and impact while maintaining transparency.
IndieClime's practical framework underscores that even modest beginnings can pave the way for significant progress in sustainability.