4 February 2013

EPWN AmsterdamGEI workshop

HOW TO GREEN YOUR BUSINESSBy Maja S. Todorovic, PhD

Reducing our environmental impacts

while establishing economical and social viability

WHY SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GREEN ECONOMY

POLLUTION

Over the past decade, an average of 600,000 barrels of

oil a year has been accidentally spilled from ships!

CONSUMPTION

We use 5 billion aluminium cans per year

WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET…

… but we consume like we have 7!

THE CHANGE IS NECESSARY AND INEVITABLE!

Change is necessary and inevitable!

Every one of us can contribute and become part of green economy through green and sustainable business practices

But keep in mind…

SO… WHAT CAN WE DO?

Not enough!Sustainability involves:• being mindful of the

future as we make decisions today

• meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

• “needs” also includes profitability!

BEING OR DOING “GREEN” IS NOT SUSTAINABLE

… unless it’s profitable and helps people!

A strong presence in the sustainability world:• as environmentally aware consumers• as workers• as change agents

Feminine/right-brain leadership is beneficial for sustainability:• Cooperation• holistic thinking• intuitive decision-makingto work alongside masculine principles of competition and

linear thinking.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE GREEN ECONOMY

environmentally sustainableenvironmentally sustainable

socially responsible

economically sustainable

HOW TO BECOME A SUSTAINABILITY LEADER?

Through delivering environmental responsible business practices:

• Operational cost savings• Revenues from selling waste• Competitive advantage• Attracts new clients and markets• Employee motivation• Sustainable design of products

and services• Recognition

REASONS FOR GREEN BUSINESS

HOW TO ACHIEVE GREEN BUSINESS

SUGGESTED GREEN MANAGEMENT MODEL

PRO

FIT

ASSESS YOUR COMMITMENT TOGREENING YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE…

Idea + goodwill = motives for good

EVALUATE POSSIBLE STRATEGIESAND INSTRUMENTS

Take the quiz “How green is my business?”

How did you go? Mostly NO: room to improve the environmental performance of the business Mostly YES: your business has shown commitment to protect the environment

This quiz is a fast way for you to determine the “hot spots” of environmental impacts that your business is making.

ASSESS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Conduct environmental audits

INFORMATION IS THE KEY OF GOOD MANAGEMENT

Example of Green Mission Statement:

“The Howard Company, Inc. makes efforts to operate our business in an environmentally responsible manner.

We are committed to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, and recognize that reducing the environmental impact of our products and operations is an important part of the value we deliver to our customers”.

DEFINE MISSION AND GOALSOF YOUR GREEN BUSINESS

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENTIMPROVEMENT ACTION PLANS

7 step plan

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

How can you improve business operations in one of these areas?

Follow the effect of applied measures in every phase of improvement!

MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS

Don’t be shy and tell the world!

REPORT YOUR RESULTS

To promote your business:Be honest Be transparent Take it into your own

advantage

Huge benefits come from a streamlined approach to CSR having impact on:

environmentpeople

DOING GREEN BUSINESS IN THE NETHERLANDS

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE!