According to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Risks Report, risks around people, places and the planet rank top in terms of likelihood and impact, and the impact of these risks is expected to increase over the next 10 years if we don’t act now.
While these risks come under the umbrella of sustainability, it is sometimes difficult to establish a singular agreed definition. This, however, should not be a barrier to action.
The dictionary definition of sustainability states it is “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level”, and “the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”. The second element of that definition is often the focus, but the first strand can offer the opportunity to expand thinking and deliver truly sustainable outcomes. In simple terms, sustainability is about considering our impact on people, places and the planet, both now and in the future. Sustainability is about leaving a positive mark across each of those three pillars.
In the latest whitepaper produced by Zurich Municipal, The Sustainability Shift: Places, the spotlight is shined on sustainability and how it is central to building and maintaining progressive and resilient communities. Alongside case studies, the whitepaper includes a discussion of what ‘sustainability’ is, the opportunities it offers, areas on which all organisations can take action as well as links to tools and frameworks to help guide you and your organisation throughout your sustainability journey.
Sustainability is about doing business today in a way that safeguards the future of our company and our society
Zurich Insurance
In addition to its multifaceted definition, thinking and action on sustainability varies across the public and voluntary sectors. Zurich Municipal’s latest research finds that different sectors and organisations are at different stages of maturity on their sustainability journey. Some early adopters have embedded sustainability into their organisations’ culture, whilst others are at the start of their journey and are unsure of where to start.
The organisations that transition first are driven by certain imperatives and motivations. These can include the economy, legislation and regulations, reputation and customer demand, and charitable purpose.
Any company or organisation that has reduced its energy requirements in the last decade is much better placed now. Those that didn’t, now feel behind the curve.
ACEVO
The inherent purpose of the voluntary sector is to build and maintain sustainable communities. Thus, social purpose is at the core of their ethos, and these efforts often benefit the environmental agenda and respond to issues around sustainability.
All evidence suggests the public is more on board with the sustainability agenda than at any time in the past.
Andy Goldring, Permaculture Association
Charities are well-placed to tackle sustainability needs. They can come together to train, upskill and employ people. They can retrofit houses, lower bills, and bring economic activity to areas under economic stress.
However, the scope to embrace the sustainability agenda can be limited by skills, capacity and the necessity for an all-encompassing focus. Yet some barriers, such as ‘not thinking broadly enough’, ‘not having consistency across all operations’ and ‘not acting quickly enough’, can just as easily occur in well-funded and large organisations as in small ones if sustainability isn’t prioritised by their leadership.
The squeeze is very real for lots of organisations, so it’s hard for them to find the time and space to think about sustainability issues.
ACEVO
This is a time of great disruption and uncertainty, but out of such situations comes transformation and opportunity. Thinking in a new way and embedding the sustainability agenda can benefit all areas: from procuring products and contracting partners to managing investments and employing talent.
Organisations can therefore consider their roles and how they impact their operations and influence others. All organisations and individuals can act now whatever their context in a few key areas including developing sustainability goals, setting a governance framework, engaging with their workforce, being a sustainable consumer, working with partners, and learning from others.
Get granular on what is and isn’t sustainable.
ACEVO
Sustainability is a journey, and everyone is on it together. At Zurich Municipal we believe in a brighter future for our communities. That’s why we make it our purpose to help make them more sustainable and more resilient. Zurich Municipal are here to engage with all customers to share their own sustainability journey, goals, targets, achievements and learnings and to support you by providing solutions to your sustainability issues.
To discuss any aspect of this whitepaper further, or for more information email info@zurichmunicipal.com or call 0800 232 1901.
