Per this master class, there are 8 components of a sustainability program that will be successful and make you happy:

• It MUST include Employee Performance / Health
  • Sustainability is not just about energy savings or ‘Greening Up’, it is about people
  • For most businesses, the employees are one of the biggest costs, one of the biggest risks (mistakes, insurance, law suits) and one of the biggest opportunities (new ideas, collaboration, product knowledge)
  • Every organization suffers from the Big 5 – insomnia, stress, anxiety, physical pain, mental acuity
  • You are losing 5% of your corporate profit/year to the Big 5
  • It takes a lot of LEDs to make up for one worker comp or workplace violence case
  • Make sure your program has a ‘people piece’ that addresses employee performance, health and happiness

• It MUST certify the business not the box
  • People care about things that involve people
  • Most building (ie, ‘Box’) certifications only care about building energy
  • Building certifications are expensive and hard to market (poor ROI)
  • You want to say, “Buy more of my product because we are a certified sustainable business”
  • You do not get much value from, “Buy more of my product because we are in an energy efficient building”
  • You want the certification on your business, not the building your business is in

• It MUST have a 3^rd party audit component
  • Oversight delivers credibility and trust
  • From passing your driving test, to getting your college diploma, to passing a bar exam, we use 3^rd parties to ensure compliance
  • There are many sustainability programs that deliver a certification based on your ‘word’…..and your payment
  • Don’t do it!
  • Make sure the program you choose uses a 3^rd party to validate your work

• It MUST follow a respected and integrated global standard
  • The sustainability industry is maturing and coalescing around few standards
  • The UN has created its SDGs (17 sustainability development goals)
  • 50% of the world’s economies require sustainability reporting
  • Greenwashing lawsuits are growing
  • Don’t pick a program that is not globally respected by, and integrated with, the world leadership groups; and that does not have the ability to integrate the other three legs of the stool – carbon neutrality, ESG and net zero
  • No reason to spend the time and money, then find you are not following the same programs and protocols that the leadership groups have adopted

• It MUST include promotion of the certification
  • Historically, sustainability has been a cost-side play
  • Most programs and providers have been 100% trained and focused on cost-side measures – energy reduction, carbon reduction, waste reduction, water reduction, travel reduction (ie, engineering)
  • But we know consumers are searching for certified sustainable companies
  • If you don’t talk about being certified sustainable they will never know you are (ie, marketing)
  • You want a program provider that is built to do the cost-side work AND the revenue-side work; and helps you promote your certification

• It MUST pursue continual improvement
  • Sustainability is not finite. It requires long-term commitment
  • But…change is hard for all of us
  • If the bar is set too high, we can get frustrated and give up
  • You want a program that lets you come as you are and allows you to continually improve
  • This will keep everyone happy and committed year after year

• It MUST require annual updates
  • Current = credible
  • Sustainability is not finite; we need to continually improve
  • You don’t want a program that does not have a date attached to its certification
  • You want to continually improve, see your success, and annually update your certification to show you are current and credible in your actions

• It MUST be at a price you can afford and produce a positive ROI
  • We could have started with cost but you need the above seven components at a price you can afford
  • It needs to show a positive and rapid ROI
  • The cost includes both money and time and covers everything – the certification, the 3^rd party audit and your work to become certified

As stated, we deliver all eight components mentioned above to our clients.

We enjoy a 100% client renewal rate – every year, every client has a decision to make and every year, every client has renewed.

If you use a program that delivers all of the above, you will probably be happy too.

As this article explains, while the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (Directive) mainly targets in-scope companies, it also offers significant opportunities for SME supply chain business partners of the in-scope companies.

Non-compliance with the Directive can result in competitive disadvantages for business partners, penalties for in-scope companies (which, depending on the contract and circumstances, could be passed on to business partners), interim measures and reputational harm through “naming and shaming”.

Conversely, aligning with the Directive’s standards could not only strengthen relationships with in-scope companies but could also set partners apart in a competitive market. Early adaptation and collaborative efforts towards compliance can mitigate risks and open new avenues to growth, underpinning the transition towards a more sustainable and accountable corporate ecosystem.

As we have explained in prior posts, sustainability reporting will continue to expand.  Smaller businesses will soon be required to report.

The question for SME leaders – If you care about the environment and want to be part of the solution, do you proactively become certified sustainable or do you wait and see if your lack of action hurts your business?

If you wish to use this to your advantage, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Yesterday, we reported on the CSRDDD (Directive) becoming law and how it will influence larger companies to seek SMEs that can help the larger company address its requirements under the Directive.

Per this, the EU markets regulator, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), advised by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), has now proposed that as part of the Directive, SMEs be required to report on positive sustainability impacts and opportunities to avoid greenwashing and improve access to lenders, investors and clients.

Those SMEs that are proactive and become certified sustainable, differentiating from their non-certified peers, will take market share, as the world transitions to environmental reporting.

If you wish to use this to your advantage, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

On 24 May, 2024, the EU finalized its adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (‘Directive’).

In effect, starting with larger companies, then expanding to smaller companies, the Directive requires companies do a number of things, beginning with the duty to:

• Identify, prevent, and mitigate actual and potential adverse impacts on people and the environment that result from either the entity’s own operations anywhere in the world (including subsidiaries) or from the operation of upstream and certain downstream business partners.

Why does this matter to you?

• Simply stated, via the “upstream and certain downstream business partners” language, these larger, (then later, smaller) organizations will be seeking vendors that help them address the Directive.
• Some large companies have thousands of vendors. They are already out of time in their attempt to satisfy the Directive.

If you prefer others to lead, ignore this. 

If you care about the environment, see yourself as a leader, and want to take market share, watch this webinar and give us a call.

Climate change lawsuits continue to be on the rise.  As this article explains, some states are now soliciting parties to file suit against entities like fossil fuel companies.

Is your company exposed? 

• Are you making environmental claims or do you have an environmental mark in your logo or advertising….without being certified sustainable under a globally-respected program that includes 3^rd party verification?

If you are exposed

• Stop your claims until you become certified sustainable and have 3^rd party verification
• Then, only claim the things your certification allows

 If you wish to benefit from market demand but do not want the risk of being exposed or greenwashing, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

We like this list from the Forbes Business Council of 18 reasons why sustainability can be a strategic advantage for your business:

• It can set your business apart
• It indicates long-term viability
• It enables proactive responses to industry changes
• It provides a competitive edge
• It expands your target audience
• It can narrow the divide between large and small businesses
• It enables the surrounding ecosystem to thrive
• It brings your business in alignment with clients’ values
• It demonstrates care for more than profits
• It enhances business efficiency
• It can facilitate cost savings
• It enhances brand reputation
• It provides long-term financial benefits
• It can drive operational efficiency
• It enables risk mitigation
• It centers future buyers
• It grants access to innovative tech
• It strengthens the company’s reputation

However, we would add two to the very top:

• It is the right thing to do
• It allows your company to be part of the solution

If this list looks attractive, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

In this episode of Wash Talk:  The Carwash Podcast, Rich DiPaolo, Associate Publisher of Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine and host of the podcast, asked David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group, to explain greenwashing, the risks of same, and what companies should do to satisfy market demand that they show they are environmentally proactive, without the risk of greenwashing.

As Goodman explained, any company making environmental claims without being certified under a globally-recognized program and verified via 3^rd party, is greenwashing.

Here is an example of a company in the car washing industry that has chosen to do it the right way.

No matter what your industry, if you care about the environment and want to differentiate from your peers with the #1 talking point in the world, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Mary Ann Shaner, of WXED Radio, 107.3 FM, conducted this interview with David Goodman, which will air on WXED at 12 noon EST on June 11, 13 and 15, 2024.

We appreciate Mary Ann’s interest in our work, and WXED supporting sustainability by providing this free air time.   

A few weeks ago, we published this post to prepare for World Environment Day.

Today is the day!

What is your company doing to celebrate? 

• If you forgot about it, or didn’t plan anything, don’t overthink it. Celebrate in whatever way is convenient for you.  Like all things in life, taking that first step is key. 
• If you have fun with it, you will remember it and want to do something next year.
• If that happens, you are on your way to being more involved in the environment you live.

Here is a statement from Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.