Environmental Sustainability
LEARN | DISCUSS | EXPLORE THE DATA | BUILD YOUR BUSINESS CASE | FAQS
Environmental sustainability is increasing attention to global environmental concerns, providing the incentive for business to assess their environmental impact—such as the usage of natural resources and carbon footprint. Environmental sustainability in business offers the opportunity to integrate comprehensive sustainability targets and programs into business strategies and corporate responsibility programs.
Grow Your Environmental Sustainability Knowledge
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News Spotlight
COMPANIES WITH SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS TALK PURPOSE, STRATEGY
Supplier diversity programs are gaining traction. Between 2020 and 2022, America’s 200 largest public companies announced plans to spend roughly $50 billion with diverse suppliers before 2030. That’s good news for the countless small and mid-market U.S. businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. It also represents just 4% of the untapped revenue potential of these companies, which could be worth as much to the economy as $1.3 trillion annually.
Discuss Environmental Sustainability Issues
Webinar & Member Meetups
At our monthly meetups, members discuss issues and challenges such as mental health in the workplace, strategic philanthropy, and environmental justice. Browse the webinars, categorized by the sustainability topics that are most important
Advisory Board
Advisory Boards offer opportunities for advanced corporate citizenship professionals to share their expertise and advice, while staying current on emerging issues and leading-edge practice related to specific aspects of their work.
Online Member Community
Created exclusively for connecting members in a private digital forum, a place where you can learn, collaborate, and support one another; mentor or be mentored; and try out new ideas in a secure, supportive environment.
Explore Peer-Reviewed Data on Environmental Sustainability
BCCCC regularly vets and curates empirical studies to help our members inform their work and make related business cases. Browse the latest studies below.
Executives love stories and they need facts. Delivered twice monthly, this series of research studies can help you create the best business case for your programs.
Data & Best Practices on Environmental Sustainability in Business
STATE OF CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Executive Summary Available for Non-Members
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Helpful When: Exploring how business leaders view environmental sustainability
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAINS REPORT
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Non-Members Request Access via ccc@bc.edu
Reading Time: 15 minutes
Helpful When: Preparing to evaluate your supply chain
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Access: BCCCCC Members Only; Non-Members Request Access via ccc@bc.edu
Reading Time: 15 minutes
Helpful When: Developing a business case for more sustainable business practices
From a BCCCC Member
““It is our responsibility to work in harmony with nature and, in everything we do, stay mindful of our responsibility to future generations. This is the foundation of [our company's] philosophy, and it drives our thinking and action around our stewardship and environmental sustainability.””
Environmental sustainability refers to the responsible
interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality. It is based on the principle that resources should be used in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
FAQs: Environmental Sustainability for Businesses
Environmental sustainability is the responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality. It involves practices that support ecological balance, reduce pollution, and conserve resources to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
Environmental sustainability is crucial for businesses as it helps reduce operational costs, enhances brand reputation, ensures compliance with regulations, and mitigates risks related to environmental damage. Sustainable practices also contribute to long-term business viability by securing resources and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.
Examples of sustainable practices include reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, minimizing waste through recycling and composting, conserving water, implementing sustainable supply chain management, and promoting eco-friendly products and packaging.
Start by conducting an environmental audit to assess your current impact. Set measurable sustainability goals, such as reducing carbon emissions or water usage. Develop and implement a sustainability strategy, educate and involve employees, and continuously monitor and report on your progress. Partnering with sustainability experts or organizations can also provide valuable guidance.
Environmental sustainability is a key component of CSR, as it reflects a company's commitment to ethical behavior, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Incorporating sustainability into CSR initiatives can enhance a company's reputation, attract customers and investors, and contribute to overall corporate success.
Challenges include the initial costs of sustainable technologies and practices, resistance to change within the organization, lack of knowledge or expertise, and navigating complex regulations. However, these challenges can be overcome through strategic planning, employee engagement, continuous education, and leveraging available resources and support.
The Center for Corporate Citizenship (BCCCC) is a corporate membership organization dedicated to advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and disclosure. We combine the most valuable aspects of a professional network with the resources of a leading academic institution, housed within the Boston College Carroll School of Management. Our membership includes over 500 socially responsible companies and more than 10,000 individual professionals worldwide.
At BCCCC, we help companies improve their CSR and ESG efforts by providing a wide variety of resources and globally recognized learning and networking opportunities. Our services include:
- Sustainability Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to understand your current environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.
- Strategy Development: Guidance in creating effective sustainability strategies tailored to your business needs.
- Training and Workshops: Educational programs to build your team’s expertise in sustainability practices and principles.
- Empirical Evidence Support: Helping your decision-making processes with data-backed insights and research.
- Real-time Peer Support: Facilitating connections with a network of professionals for sharing best practices and solutions.
Many of our resources are member-exclusive, offering access to in-depth tools, reports, and consultations. However, we also provide free resources like our blog, webinars, and the International Corporate Citizenship Conference, where you can learn about topics such as mentoring in the workplace and supplier diversity programs.
Companies typically seek our assistance in three main areas: enhancing their environmental sustainability practices, improving social responsibility initiatives, and strengthening governance and transparency. By joining BCCCC, your company gains access to invaluable support and expertise to achieve your sustainability goals.