Everything necessary for human survival depends on our ability to establish stewardship practices that preserve critical resources and foster conditions to ensure long-term protection of Earth’s natural environment for future generations. Sustainability practices rely upon individuals to adhere to conscientious principles to establish a reasonable balance between environmental, social, and economic influences. This presentation seeks to establish a candid dialogue about how to identify opportunities for sustainability, how to implement policies that reinforce sustainability practices, and encourage the formulation of a community of practice to reinforce accountability and continuous improvement of sustainability efforts.
Identifying sustainability practices requires a keen understanding of business unit practices, including: What resources are used? How are they expended? What factors influence employee behavior or decision-making regarding resource use? What policies or practices encourage or incentivize employees to support sustainable alternatives? Are sustainable alternatives safe, efficient, and socially acceptable? Are sustainable alternatives economically feasible and reasonable?
Using this proposed framework for organizational change, companies can leverage stakeholders to make meaningful and measurable efforts toward enhancing sustainability. As with any business practice, organizations should be prepared to monitor, track, and report the effectiveness and impact of sustainability practices. Engaging a collaborative team can aid organizations in identifying opportunities for sustainability improvement and soliciting possible alternatives. By creating a community of practice, organizations can better integrate sustainability practices and make them a part of the accepted corporate culture. Finally, effective sustainability practices will often generate organizational economic benefits, positive employee rapport, and enhanced community goodwill
