Guide To Setting Sustainability Goals In 2023

Guide To Setting Sustainability Goals In 2023

Guide To Setting Sustainability Goals In 2023 – 2023 is here, and a new year demands new measures to be in place. The popularity of sustainability builds annually, and this year will see calls for further action. 

While some eco-friendly policies can be developed on the fly, others require more tactical planning procedures. Of course, 2021 saw many larger firms forced to set out their sustainable goals by 2023, and adhering to similar measures is in your best interests too.. 

Setting sustainability goals in 2023 isn’t always a straightforward process. There are many ways to approach sustainability. You need to consider all the different ways that are relevant to your business, so that you’re aware of your options. You may not be able to introduce all the sustainability policies that you want, due to limitations within your existing business. 

So, what can be done? Here’s a quick guide to setting sustainability goals in 2023.

Guide To Setting Sustainability Goals In 2023

Understand the Current Climate

Not all environmental challenges are equal. The situation is regularly in flux, and some issues must take priority. 

Find out which environmental concerns worry the public the most. A survey in August 2022 showed that rising temperatures were the main concern of every UK generation. Therefore, it makes sense to strategise around the latest findings so that you can develop more noticeable and impactful sustainability objectives. 

Climate change can be combated with tactics like optimised and energy-based cooling systems, lowered emissions, and LED lighting arrangements. You’ll need to reduce transitional risks so that you aren’t burdened with redundant assets from the ‘old ways’ of conducting business affairs. 

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Of course, this doesn’t mean you should entirely neglect the less pressing environmental objectives. There’s still room for them in your 2023 goals, but when it comes to investment, time management, and advertising your intentions, having an orderly structure for your goals is highly recommended. 

 

Invest in Training

Time and money should be attributed to ambitious training schemes. Sustainability goals are all about innovation, and the best way to realise such aspirations is to equip yourself and your staff with the most up-to-date knowledge. 

For example, a University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership online short course can develop and engage colleagues across your business. It’s online and tutor-assisted, lasting for eight weeks with a time commitment of 6-10 hours per week, so it’s a schedule-friendly way to improve things. A sustainability course will also be highly reputable, ensuring you’re experiencing the highest standards of teaching possible. 

You can learn about sustainability and supply chain management, sustainable finance, and sustainable marketing and media. Multiple aspects of your firm can be improved this way instead of just focusing on one area. 

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Conduct an Internal Review

Once you and your colleagues are better educated on the subject of sustainability, you can cast a more critical eye over your business. 

You should conduct an internal review to identify areas for improvement. Questions you can ask yourself are: 

  • What materials and components are your firm utilising? 
  • Can your packaging products be more sustainable? 
  • Is there a percentage around how much your company is recycling? 
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The data you accumulate can be a wake-up call, but it’s necessary to and credibility to your plans for the year to come. 

It is important to not conduct the internal review in isolation. Each department should be able to accurately gauge its current processes and how they contribute to or undermine your firm’s sustainability goals for 2023. They’re likely better situated to make recommendations, too. An internal review is another opportunity for your colleagues to collaborate and problem-solve as a team. 

 

Choose Consulting Firms Wisely

A wide range of advisory expertise is needed to meet the most ambitious sustainability goals. Training can help, but these conversations must constantly be happening due to the ever-changing demands of eco-friendly goals. Consultants can play a crucial role here. 

You should know what to look for when searching for a consulting firm that fits your needs. They should have full knowledge of the latest sustainable technologies and solutions and possess apt management skills. Ensure you are dealing with credible individuals. Determine if they hold any certifications or educational background that demonstrates their knowledge in the industry

It’s important that you and any potential consultants understand one another. You should present a full and accurate brief to consultants so they fully understand what your objectives are and what results you expect to see from their services. This way you can ensure that you are a good fit for one another. 

 

Assign Key Players

Many firms still treat sustainability as a bonus to their processes rather than a main goal. Establishing an influential team of eco-focused team players to work towards sustainable goals will help the whole business get there together. There is a lot to consider when building your team. Consider the questions you need to ask yourself.

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Which employees will be instrumental in making key decisions around sustainability? Do any of them already engage in volunteering efforts in their free time? Are suppliers, manufacturing partners, and any other firms you’re associated with willing to collaborate with you further on sustainability? Consider what employees within your business have the potential to be leaders in the future. These employees could be the ones you decide to delegate eco-friendly responsibilities to.

It’s important that you brief your team on what sustainable goals you want to achieve. You will need these key players to be briefed up so that they can do the best job possible, and achieve what you’re trying to achieve.

 

Do What You Can

By now, you should be in a good position to make some progress with your sustainability goals for 2023. That said, these aims will be different for every business. Consider the goals that are more relevant to your business. Changes to energy infrastructure can be expensive, even if things like solar power lead to long-term savings. Consider all the upfront costs that you need to make. It’s also a time of spending restrictions for some firms, so you may not be able to achieve everything you would like to. 

Setting your cost structure will help you set more achievable objectives and pace your firm’s progress. Break everything up into monthly and quarterly goals, and celebrate even the smaller wins. Use all the data and counsel you’ve gathered to prioritise tasks and set a realistic budget. So long as your business makes some progress, there’s plenty to be proud of. 

 

Monitor trends, upskill the workforce, facilitate team dynamics, and budget your goals so your eco-friendly aspirations for 2023 can be fully realised.