Start-ups and Sustainability

Although sustainability has been around for a long time, only recently has business become focused on its application. There are a variety of reasons for this, but we'll start with the most commonly used definition contained in the Brundtland Report released by the United Nations in 1987.

Sustainable development is defined as: “Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Sustainability encompasses mainly environmental impacts but also includes social impacts. A truly sustainable business should consider economic, environmental and social implications equally when making any decisions. This is known as “triple bottom line” consideration.

In terms of small business and start-ups, sustainability is really about efficiency in all areas. But the benefits go far beyond saving money on energy. Sustainability is important because economic costs attributed to environmental and social outcomes that have historically been externalised are increasingly being realised by business. Consumers are demanding better performance from their goods and services and governments are regulating to prevent businesses from damaging the environment and society.

Richard Nicol: Start-ups and Sustainability - Management