Building the Business Case
Climate Action Is Smart Business
We all know that combating climate change is the right thing to do for the planet. It turns out it’s also the right thing to do for your business. By integrating climate and sustainability into business strategy, companies can create measurable business value and position themselves for long-term, profitable growth.
Luckily you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to build sustainability into your business strategy. Other companies have already laid the groundwork.
See how Colgate-Palmolive and Dell Technologies have incorporated sustainability into their business models through our video series, created in partnership with Deloitte. >>>
Nearly half of the investors believe tackling climate change should be a top five priority for businesses.1
The Business Benefits of Climate Action
Sustainability practices are often more cost-effective. Improving energy efficiency, optimizing shipping routes, eliminating single-use products, and other initiatives can cut costs while reducing emissions. For example, companies can reduce their energy bill by up to 75% by installing solar.²
Climate action can give your company a leg-up in ever-competitive markets. There is growing evidence that companies with strong sustainability practices perform better financially.³ Sustainable products grow more than 5 times faster than standard products.⁴
Sustainable practices don’t just attract new customers; they also keep them coming back. 78% of US consumers say they prioritize a sustainable lifestyle,⁵ meaning customers won’t just choose sustainable products once - they will choose them over a lifetime.
Fulfilled employees work harder and stay in their job for longer, improving your company’s performance and saving money in the absence of frequent turnover. Surveys show nearly 70% of employed adults want their organizations to invest in sustainability initiatives.⁶
Climate change poses risks to infrastructure, supply chains, etc. Managing climate risk can fortify your operations and ensure long-term resilience. Large companies report facing $1 trillion in climate risks; early mitigation can prevent big costs down the road.⁷
Increasingly stringent regulations in the EU, US, and globally are requiring more ambitious action and detailed reporting on climate risk and performance. Companies that do only the bare minimum now will be scrambling later to catch up with more rigorous regulations.
70% of customers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products.8
Don’t let your business get left behind in the transition to a net zero economy.
Companies at the forefront of decarbonization, adaptation, and other sustainability initiatives are proving that climate action is smart business. By embedding climate action into business strategy, companies can create measurable business value, a clear competitive advantage, and long-term growth and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Footnotes
- PwC| Investors Continue to Prioritise Climate Action Despite Lacking Trusted Information
- Renewable Energy Magazine | 10 Ways Renewable Energy Can Save Businesses Money
- Innocent Ociti | Sustainability Practices and Financial Performance in Companies Across Various Industries
- Harvard Business Review | Research: Actually, Consumers Do Buy Sustainable Products
- McKinsey & Company | Consumers Care About Sustainability—And Back It Up With Their Wallets
- Deloitte | Engaged Employees Are Asking Their Leaders to Take Climate Action
- CDP | World’s Biggest Companies Face $1 Trillion in Climate Change Risks
- PwC | On Sustainability, Consumers Have Made Up Their Mind
Start Your Journey to Net Zero: Find a Pathway
How do you get buy-in to set a net zero goal? What happens after you’ve made a climate commitment? How do you start tackling emissions in your operations or supply chain? Follow our pathways to access actionable guidance on accelerating your company’s net zero journey.
