This article presents four charts and a discussion of each.

In summary:

• Global air temperature is the highest on record

• Ocean surface temperature is the highest on record

• Antarctic sea ice is at the lowest on record

• Carbon dioxide is at the highest on record

Bottom line, it is hot and it is going to get a lot hotter.

Contact us and join the thousands of organizations around the world that are choosing to be part of the solution. 

The purpose of this post is to refresh/restate to all small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity that Net Zero / Scope 3 presents for you.

Refresh on Scope 1, 2 and 3 Definitions: 

• Scope 1 – The direct carbon emissions from owned or controlled sources (ie, the business operation)
• Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from generation of purchased energy (ie, the carbon produced by your local utility to provide your electricity)
• Scope 3 – Indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company (15 different categories including vendors, distribution, leased assets, business travel, et cetera)

Refresh on Carbon Neutrality v Net Zero

• Carbon Neutrality includes Scope 1 and 2
• Net Zero includes Scope 1, 2 and 3

Restating the opportunity:

• All public companies have either stated their Net Zero plans, or will be forced by government regulations to do so
• Every company that has a Net Zero plan is going to need its Scope 3 providers (ie, its vendors) to have a sustainability / carbon program
• As the video in this article discusses, Scope 3 is VERY hard to quantify. Companies are struggling with getting their value chain, including their vendors, to develop programs and provide the needed information
• If your SME is looking to sell to larger companies….and if you were certified sustainable, including having a carbon reporting program….your ability to take market share would be materially enhanced

If you want to get ahead of this and take market share, contact us.

A study discussed in this article reports

• 98% of CEOs believe they need to make their businesses more sustainable
• But 58% believe sustainability is in conflict with growth

Response:  If you believe, as the 58% do, that sustainability is in conflict with growth, you are talking to the wrong sustainability advisors.

The study then asked Next-gen leaders for advice and was told to

• Make sustainability more human, then determine how to do so profitably
• Think long-term and allow sustainability initiatives time to scale
• Broaden the definition of success and collaborate across your ecosystem

Response:  Not sure how many of those next-gen leaders are sitting in the CEO chair.  All three of those solutions suggest reducing or diluting the focus on profit which is not an appealing option for most CEOs.  We suggest the opposite – use sustainability as a profit-driver and prioritize sustainability projects that have the highest ROI.

Simple fact:  For-profit companies are for profit.  Their advisor should build their sustainability program to support that.  This webinar speaks to that point.

Per this article, family businesses are serving as ambassadors for sustainability. 

The article further states that, besides being the ‘right thing to do’ and a driver of growth, family businesses often pursue sustainability to enhance the family’s legacy.

Obviously, given what we do, we support any organization that pursues and champions sustainability.

That said, given the rise of Greenwashing and the fact that the vast majority of consumers disbelieve sustainability claims that are not supported by 3^rd party validations/certifications, we suggest family businesses that are justifiably protective of their legacy to consider becoming certified sustainable in order to ensure their sustainability claims are believed and their legacy secure. 

We welcome family businesses review this flyer and/or this webinar, and contact us.

Edenark Group has a relationship with OneBlueOcean and the CEOs of the two companies are friends.

OneBlueOcean is pursuing a noble cause and is doing wonderful work. 

If you have a passion for our oceans, they are an organization you should know.

We occasionally share some of the videos produced by OneBlueOcean.

Here is Episode 5 of the In Search of Sunrise series.

Enjoy!

In a study consistent with other studies we have seen, WWD reports that

• 80% of consumers DISBELIEVE a company’s sustainability claims when not supported by a 3^rd party certification or validation
• 83% of consumers BELIEVE a company’s sustainability claims when supported by a valid 3^rd party certification/validation

If you are spending the time and money to pursue sustainability, for the good of the planet

• FANTASTIC!
• That is the reason to do it!

But if you also want…

• Positive ROI
• The revenue-side benefit that comes with market trust and support
• Brand benefit
• Compliance with government and client requirements
• Lender and investor support
• To be part of a globally recognized program

…you are going to need a certification from a globally-recognized program.

Please review this flyer, or this master class; then contact us.

Per this new study by The Capgemini Research Institute, 73% of organizations that implemented sustainable design strategies enjoyed improved revenue growth, 70% enjoyed improved customer satisfaction, 79% enjoyed improved employee engagement, and 67% saw reduced carbon emissions.

Further, although sustainability is perceived as costly, the majority experienced no increase in cost.

If you are a small to mid-sized enterprise and would like to enjoy these benefits, contact Edenark Group.

Overshoot Day is the annual day we, either on a global (ie, Earth) or country basis, consume more than the Earth is able to generate that year.  A country overshoot day is the day on which the Earth Overshoot Day would fall, if all of humanity consumed like the people in that country.

In total, we are consuming 1.7 Earths every year. 

If you overspent your take home pay by 1.7x every month, how long would you last?

We will be posting again, on 2 August, for Earth Overshoot Day.  However, we thought you might like to see, in advance, where your country is, this year, in terms of its consumption versus capacity.

Per this article in Entrepreneur, consumers expect businesses to match their values, showing a preference for ethical brands that are climate-friendly, supportive of social justice causes and champions of diversity.

According to a global study discussed in the article

• 85% of all people surveyed altered their purchases toward more sustainable goods in the past five years
• 60% say sustainability is an important purchase factor

Think about that the next time you are spending money trying to differentiate your brand.

Overall Benefit from being Environmentally Certified Sustainable via a Globally-Respected Program

1. You are doing the right thing for the planet
2. Government compliance
3. Satisfy client, consumer, employee, investor, lender, demand
4. Lower costs
5. Enhanced hiring and retention of top talent
6. Certified sustainable companies are growing up to 20x faster than their non-certified peers

Unlocking the Potential for B2B Growth

In today’s business landscape, sustainability and carbon neutrality have become vital practices for large and listed organizations. It is no longer sufficient to merely register; businesses must now obtain legitimate sustainability certifications from third-party verified sources. As these requirements extend to supply chain vendors, becoming certified sustainable provides a major competitive advantage for small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Unlocking the Potential for B2C Growth

Numerous international studies have shown that sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers, particularly among Generation Y and Generation Z. 75% of these consumers prefer sustainability over brand or product name, whereas 70% of all consumers are willing to transfer loyalty and purchase from certified sustainable companies offering equivalent items.

The Prior Barrier for SMEs

SMEs sometimes find it difficult to obtain sustainability certifications due to cost, limited resources, knowledge gaps and programs not being designed for SMEs.

What makes the Edenark Group Program Financially Exciting for SMEs?

At Edenark Group, we understand the unique needs of SMEs and have developed a pragmatic sustainability program tailored specifically to their requirements. Our goal is to help these businesses stand out from their competitors, satisfy customer demands, and meet sustainability reporting standards without breaking the bank.

The Edenark Group ISO 14001 uniquely offers:

1. Credibility – Our standard, the ISO 14001, is the largest and most respected in the world.
2. Price – Our price, specifically designed for SMEs, is typically 50% – 80% less than lesser programs; and our payment schedule allows even 1-person SMEs the ability to afford the program.
3. Time – Understanding that staff time is as important as cost for SMEs, Edenark Group has pre-designed application forms and does the majority of the application entry work for the SME.
4. Promotional Support / Positive ROI – Edenark Group helps the SME promote its sustainability program and generates more revenue-driving promotional support for the SME than the cost of the certification.
5. 4 Legs of the Stool – The Edenark Group platform allows, at the SME’s discretion, to seamlessly and cost/time-effectively add carbon neutrality certification, net zero certification and an ESG program.
6. People – As the UN has stated, the future is sustainability+wellness. The Edenark Group program is already there, providing a people-piece that helps SME employees become happier, healthier and more productive.  This is available to all clients, should they wish to add it.
7. Success – The Edenark Group ISO 14001 program enjoys a 100% client renewal rate. Every year, every client has a decision to make and every year, every client has renewed.  That should say something about the value of the program.

Join the Edenark Group Global Family for a Profitable and Sustainable Future

Edenark Group is committed to helping SMEs maximize performance, returns, and market share while safeguarding the environment for future generations. Our expertise, top-rated certifications, tailored solutions, and proactive promotion strategies make us the ideal partner to guide your organization on its sustainability and carbon neutral journey.  Contact Edenark Group today to begin a profitable sustainability journey for your business.

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