Guide to business climate action
Step 1: Develop understanding
Factoring in the burning of fossils fuels for heat and steam, industrial processes, commercial buildings, and freight transportation, Ontario businesses are directly responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in the province. 46% of Ontarians believe this already, citing corporations as being primarily responsible for causing climate change.
It’s clear that businesses must act now to reduce GHG pollution. Not only is this what many Ontarians expect, but taking action on climate change through energy management and reducing GHGs happens to be good for business.
Taking a holistic, long-term view of impacts on the environment and society has been shown to have the following benefits to businesses:
- Reduced costs: Understanding and managing your use of energy, water, paper, and office supplies can lead to better control of operating costs.
- Increased innovation: The Harvard Business School Journal says “Sustainability is the #1 driver of innovation in business today.” You can be among the first to introduce new, improved products, services, and processes.
- Increased employee engagement: Demonstrating that you are an equitable employer who supports life balance leads to more satisfied employees: enhancing productivity, and reducing hiring and retention costs.
- Enhanced brand: Companies find that marketing their environmental success stories can help to set their brands apart. The green consumer market has been growing every year, with perceptions and purchasing of sustainable products seeing positive growth.
- Reduced management risk: The precedent has been established in Canadian law that directors and senior managers are expected to be aware of their company’s environmental and social impact. Having a sustainability strategy is good insurance.
These tools and resources will help you better understand and communicate the business case for managing energy and environmental impacts.
