Happy Earth Week! As we celebrate our planet and its resources, it’s important to recognise the role of businesses in protecting the environment. Impact entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to make a positive difference in the world by creating sustainable startups that prioritise social and environmental impact. However, starting a sustainable business can be challenging without the right tools and resources.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of five essential tools that can help impact entrepreneurs build a sustainable startup that contributes to a better world.
1. Get a baseline of your performance
Before you start building a sustainable startup, it’s important to understand where you currently stand in terms of your social and environmental impact. The B Impact Assessment is a free online tool that can help you measure your business’s performance in these areas. By answering a series of questions, you’ll receive a score that reflects how well your business is performing. This can be a great first step to understand where you stand and where you can improve.
2. Measure your greenhouse gas emissions and set goals to reduce
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a critical part of building a sustainable business. The Business Carbon Calculator can help you measure your GHG emissions and set goals to reduce them. This tool provides an estimate of your business’s carbon footprint and identifies areas where you can reduce emissions. By setting clear goals and tracking your progress, you can reduce your impact on the environment and improve your bottom line.
3. Consider how to create a circular business model
Circularity is a key concept in sustainable business. By designing a circular business model, you can reduce waste and create a more sustainable business. Impact Hub has great resources on embedding circularity into your business model. They offer workshops, webinars, and other resources to help you design a more sustainable business.
4. Educate yourself on climate justice and deepen your DEI efforts
Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment; it’s also about promoting social justice and equity. It’s important to understand the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The framework for business action on climate justice can help you deepen your DEI efforts and promote social justice in your business.
5. Take a look at your supply chain
Your supply chain can have a significant impact on your business’s social and environmental performance. The UN Global Compact has resources on sustainable procurement that can help you identify areas where you can reduce your environmental impact and improve your social performance. By working with suppliers who share your values and commitments, you can create a more sustainable and ethical supply chain.
As an impact entrepreneur, you have the power to make a positive difference in the world. By using these five essential tools, you can build a sustainable startup that prioritises social and environmental impact. As we celebrate Earth Week, let’s commit to building businesses that protect our planet and promote social justice. Together, we can create a better world for all.
