If you had to make a list of all of the most pressing challenges that we’re currently facing as a society, environmental protection would undoubtedly be right at the top. According to one recent study, there will be over one billion cars on roads around the world by as soon as 2025. Currently, there are 700 million, producing a combined 900 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. Of the billions of plastic bags that are produced every year, less than 1% of them are recycled – leading to the deaths of about one billion birds and mammals as a result.
To their credit, Australian citizens (and those in other countries around the world) do seem to be making this idea a priority. One recent study revealed that 73% of Aussie consumers actively seek out businesses who provide sustainable products and services. But how, exactly, do those businesses stack up themselves?
Sustainability and the Australian Business: Breaking Things Down
While it’s true that a lot of progress is being made in terms of sustainability in Australia, it’s also clear that there is a lot of work left to be done – particularly as far as recent studies are concerned. According to the SDG Index, for example, Australia is currently 37th in the world in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – behind countries like New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the UK and more.
That is not to say that there isn’t a lot of incredible work being done across the country – because there is. It’s not that Australia is making no progress at all either. It’s just that the arc of progress is slow. But, thankfully, it’s also steady.
It might surprise you to learn that Commonwealth Bank has been voted Australia’s most sustainable business, three years in a row. In fact, in 2017 it was named the sixth most sustainable business in the world by the SDG Index. That ranking is mostly down to their reduction in carbon emissions (equivalent to taking 1,500 cars off the road) and the fact they were Australia’s largest taxpayer. Of course, it’s incredible when large companies implement environmentally sustainable practices but it’s just as important for small businesses to do the same. Like, The Sustainable Salon in Sydney that has a discount for those that ride their bikes to the salon. Then there’s Caravan Eggs in South West Victoria that prides itself in carrying out sustainable agricultural and animal husbandry practices, like providing their hens with fresh a paddock plot every three days.
Forward-thinking Australian businesses are seeing this push for a sustainable future as what it really is: an opportunity. One recent piece even revealed that as the momentum around sustainable practices and renewable energy continues to grow, new business models are emerging to be capitalised on – much to the benefit of everyone involved. Entire industries are pivoting around the idea that we need to do what we can to leave this planet in a better condition than the one that we found it in. Organisations are using it as a chance to re-align their practices with their customer’s priorities and values at the same time.
Australia may not be leading the way right now in terms of sustainability, but it’s clear that we’ll get there – and it will be entirely because the collective consumers of the country stood up and demanded that it be so.
Finding Sustainable Business Partners
By far, one of the most important things that Australian consumers can do involves the classic idea of “voting with their wallet.” Actively seek out businesses who embrace sustainability and environmental friendliness but don’t patronise those that don’t. Recent plastic bag bans in grocery stores around the country are the perfect example of this – these widespread efforts wouldn’t happen if consumers hadn’t demanded it, even if it has been a little rocky.
But it’s also important to pay particular attention to words versus action. Consider a company’s beliefs (and media statements) against the actual practices that they put in place every day. It’s very, very easy to say one thing and do another – especially if you believe that your audience isn’t really paying attention.
Based on that, what you need to do next is crystal clear: pay attention, at all costs, or we’ll all pay for it.
LiveTribe: Because We’re All In This Together
At this point, it’s clear that the issue of sustainability is only going to get more important as time goes on. In truth, we’re at something of a precipice: our actions over the next few years will determine the fate of not only the human race but the outcome of its relationship with the planet that we live on for generations to come. We can either choose to embrace sustainability with open arms and take positive action today, as businesses in Australia, in particular, seem more than willing to do, or we can accept the consequences of inaction tomorrow. There is nothing in between those two points.
