Create a strategic approach to sustainable development

Introduction

Sustainability means being able to continue indefinitely by minimising environmental and social impacts and ensuring financial stability.

Developing your business more sustainably can help you reduce your costs, control risk, improve your reputation and create new business opportunities. For example, you might reduce wasted energy, water or raw materials and make the best of new markets for innovative or better performing products. As well as helping the environment and society at large, becoming more sustainable directly benefits the financial performance of your business.

But while one-off improvements are worthwhile, you should use a strategic approach to make the most of your opportunities. For example, you might drive long-term change by establishing key objectives and implementing a management system to help you achieve them.

This guide outlines how to create and use a strategic approach to sustainable development.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Key elements in a strategic approach to sustainable development
• Commit to sustainable development
• Involve employees and other stakeholders in sustainable development
• Meet your current and forthcoming legal obligations to the environment
• Assess the environmental and social impact of your business
• Develop sustainability plans and set objectives
• Monitor and report on sustainability performance

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