In the fast-paced world of business, where trends come and go, one thing remains constant: the importance of building a sustainable culture within companies.
Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a webinar panel hosted by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), where we delved into the intricacies of fostering long-term sustainable cultures within organisations. It was a joy to speak alongside Pete Richardson of Manifest Climate, Wendy Whewell of Santander and Prasad Gollokata from Sustainability Unlocked, who each lead very different organisations trying to push hard in this space.
My pitch to the group: sustainability is not a side hustle!
I really wanted to bang the drum on something that is very important to me: sustainability is not a side hustle! A clear, compelling, exciting sustainability strategy can no longer be an afterthought or a nice-to-have business initiative, but rather the key to a business’ longevity. As economic markets re-orient in a greener, more climate aware and socially focused direction, companies that proactively embrace sustainable practices are poised to stand the test of time. Those who lag behind simply will not.
That’s why it is vital to move beyond surface-level discussions of sustainability and delve deeper into what this means for your business – what are the implications for business operation, day-to-day functioning and revenue generation? This aligns with Ever’s tagline that sustainability is opportunity. Sustainability isn't just a box to check or a page to fill in an annual report but rather an intrinsic component of a company's growth in its own right.
What we agreed on: leadership is vital
We also discussed how business leaders are changing their mindsets when it comes to sustainability. We at Ever see every day how, having traditionally been relegated to the sidelines as informal initiatives and side-of desk work, sustainability is now being recognised as a fundamental driver of business growth and resilience; just as any other core business strategy, sustainability demands prioritisation and seamless integration into the organisational fabric. Leaders are also realising sustainability’s potential to galvanise teams and resonate with employees who are increasingly passionate about addressing social and environmental challenges in their roles.
One key takeaway: check your job description
We were asked for our final words, and the key thing I asked our audience to take away was that all jobs are sustainability jobs and, in the long run, everyone is ultimately a sustainability professional. Check your job description, check your teams’ job description – check everyone’s job description! Regardless of roles and responsibilities, sustainability needs to be integrated into everything we do as we strive for longevity in our business practices. It's not merely a task for a specific department or role; rather, sustainability should be considered in every decision and action taken within the organisation.
By weaving sustainability into core business strategies, companies not only secure their own longevity but also foster enduring value for employees, shareholders and society at large.
Watch it back
Visit the LSEG website via the lnik below and reigster to watch our discussion or get in touch to find out more and share your view!