As more organisations are beginning to focus on their environmental impact, it’s important to check environmental standards and laws are being met.
What Is Sustainable Resource Management?
Sustainable resource management means managing resources with the future in mind. Sustainable resource management can be defined as the application of sustainable practices by managing resources in a way that will benefit current and future generations.
Simply put, it means managing resources in a way that ensures resources are not depleted to the point where it will impact future generations.
Some key points of sustainable resource management include considering how you are managing the resources that your organisation uses, as well as making sure that they are sustainable.
Understanding that renewable natural resources are better for the environment, and choosing to invest in the switch to renewable resources now will help to keep future generations thriving.
It may seem like a substantial investment to make right now, but with more companies becoming more eco-conscious, it makes sense to not be left behind. Sustainable resource management allows you to put in place practices that can be continued for years to come, to ensure you’re benefiting current and future generations as well as the planet.
Sustainable Resources Examples
Sustainable resources are classified as natural resources that are renewable and can be replenished at the same rate, or faster than they are being consumed.
For a natural resource to be sustainable, it must be:
- Renewable
- Managed responsibly
Examples of sustainable resources include hydropower, solar power and wind power, to name a few.
Solar power, for example, is classed as a sustainable resource because the sun’s energy can be captured without the depletion of the sun itself. Similarly, wind power is another sustainable resource because it can’t be depleted and can be harnessed through the use of wind turbines.
It’s important to note that not every renewable natural resource is always sustainable or better for the environment. For example, Biofuel is a unique form of renewable energy, as its consumption emits climate-affecting greenhouse gases, and growing the original plant product uses up other environmental resources therefore it is not better for the environment or fully sustainable in its current guise. That said, it remains a major part of the green revolution.
Benefits of Sustainable Resource Management
Ensuring that the energy your organisation is consuming is renewable and managed responsibly, as well as making sure that it follows the correct environmental laws, offers many benefits for your business and beyond.
Better reputation
Practising sustainable resource management lets your clients and consumers know that you are taking significant steps to make a positive environmental impact. It allows them to be confident that your organisation is putting the planet first, and is willing to invest time and resources into becoming sustainable.
Comparing your sustainable organisation to other organisations that have not yet made the investment to become more environmentally friendly allows you to have an edge over competitors. People can see your organisation has a clear understanding of how it affects the environment and is implementing ways to lessen its impact, which can make both old and new consumers want to follow and support you in your environmental journey.
It opens up new avenues to explore, like working with other environmentally conscious organisations whose business may be off-limits to anyone who doesn’t follow similar standards to them. Working with other organisations that hold high sustainability standards can give you an edge over your competitors.
The more connections you have with other like-minded organisations, the more your clientele can trust that you are upholding the sustainability standards. Other organisations can also help to guide you in the right direction by implementing other ways of sustainability, allowing everyone to grow from each other.
Acquire more business
It also allows consumers to have trust in your organisation to uphold environmental standards, for you and them. With the knowledge that you are considering your organisation’s impact on the environment, it can open up more opportunities for business for you.
It will allow your organisation to be more appealing to potential clientele, as it reassures them that they are supporting an organisation that is doing its part in keeping the future sustainable. Showing them that you have sustainability at the forefront of your business, it allows those with similar standards to work with you, rather than a competitor who may not hold the same environmentally friendly standards.
Cost-effective
Using renewable resources can also help you to save money in the long run. By installing your own forms of renewable energy, like solar panels or wind turbines, on your organisation’s premises, it can then be used to power your own energy, directly contributing to reducing your energy output.
You are the one in control of how much you want to invest in renewable energy, and depending on the size of that investment depends on the energy return from it.
With energy prices increasing, using your own form of renewable resources allows you to cover a significant portion of your energy bills from your own resources that you invested in, saving your organisation money, in the long run, to invest elsewhere.
As well as helping you to save money, sustainable resource management can also help your company earn it. Researchers at the MIT Sloan School of Management found that consumers are willing to pay 2% to 10% more for products from companies that show greater supply chain transparency. The study also revealed that consumers increasingly want to know more about where and how the products they purchase are being made, and value information about the treatment of workers in a supply chain and companies’ efforts to improve working conditions.
Less waste
Sometimes, starting off small can help set the ball rolling when it comes to being sustainable. As your organisation begins to implement large-scale renewable energy, making smaller changes like designated recycling bins, the cycle to work scheme and trying to make the most out of materials used can help to show that you are just as environmentally conscious on a smaller scale.
As mentioned above, being cost-effective, such as using energy-efficient light bulbs and turning off the lights when you leave a room can also make an impact on reducing your energy consumption.
It also means that you are considering your organisation’s impact on the environment outside of just renewable energy. By taking an active role towards recycling, reducing your own carbon footprint and being as environmentally friendly as you can, it reinforces the sustainability standards your organisation has set out to achieve.
How to Achieve Sustainable Resource Management
So, how do you achieve sustainability in business? Starting with a sustainability policy can help to plan exactly what your organisation wants to achieve. It allows you to consider what areas your organisation needs to focus on to become more sustainable, and with that, you can plan the exact steps you need to take in order to achieve these goals.
The next step is to consider becoming ISO 14001 certified. With ISO 14001 certification, your organisation is able to set up systems to help manage your environmental responsibilities, allowing you to be conscious of your environmental impact and to help reduce your organisation’s impact on the environment.
Getting started with ISO 14001 certification doesn’t have to be complicated – our beginner’s guide for ISO 14001 is here to help you figure out if this certification is right for you. We’ve also covered what the requirements are for ISO 14001 certification, so you can be fully prepared.
With this certification, you are telling your customers and clientele that you are putting the environment first, investing in a more sustainable future and making sure you uphold the commitments you made.
