Can the actions of one company truly make a positive difference?

Picture of Dylan McGurk

Dylan McGurk

During my work experience at Grain, I have learnt quite a lot about the impact that companies have on both the planet and our society. For instance, Walmart, the American multinational retail store, has a larger annual revenue than Spain and Australia. Even more disturbingly, according to The Guardian, just 57 oil, gas, coal and cement producers are directly linked to 80% of the world’s fossil CO2 emissions over the eight years since the 2016 Paris climate agreement.

Yet, however daunting the power and influence of multinational corporations appears to be, there are still many ways that start-ups and SMEs can truly make a positive difference both in the environment and in their communities.

Providing a sustainable choice for customers

Providing a more sustainable alternative to other market offerings is an excellent way to create a positive difference for the environment. This could be done by making a company part of the circular economy. The framework of a circular economy eliminates the waste found in a linear ‘throw-away’ economy and focuses on reusing the resources consumed by individuals and firms to produce more goods and services, dramatically reducing our impact on the planet.

For example, Grain works with one such company, Bio Capital. This innovative organisation provides anaerobic digestion facilities to handle agricultural and food waste, converting this organic material into renewable energy.

Another way a company can provide a more sustainable service is by reducing its carbon footprint. This is done by first auditing a company’s carbon footprint, according to scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The insight and understanding gained from analysing a carbon footprint can be used to engage the organisation in a strategic plan to reduce emissions. This process can be seen in the actions of Masterfix, who, with the help of Grain, were able to identify the key aspects of their carbon footprint and do what they could to reduce emissions, such as investing in a fleet of electric vehicles rather than fossil-fuelled vans.

Sustainability for employees

Companies can also make a positive difference by improving the working life of their employees by increasing transparency and communications throughout a company. This is a concept underpinning B Corp certification which provides a framework based on the premise that a company should ‘benefit all stakeholders, not just shareholders’. Grain has helped companies such as ‘planet-friendly packaging’ business Priory Direct and architects achieve B Corp status and set their businesses on a triple bottom line foundation, truly balancing prosperity, people, and the planet.

Companies can also encourage their staff to engage in activities that directly benefit their surrounding communities, such as volunteering days, raising money for charity, or distributing goods, services, or facilities to where they are needed most. Taking action on social sustainability can have a direct impact on those working inside a company and the community built around it and influence attitudes more broadly towards sustainable practices.

Evaluating the supply chain

Businesses that audit their supply chains to ensure that resources come from sustainable sources can significantly reduce their negative impact on the planet and its people. A great example of this approach is Essex-based promotional headwear specialist, Sharon Lee. To better ensure the ethical and environmental standards of their supply chain were up to their expected standards, the company instituted regular SMETA audits on their main suppliers in China as well as their own operations to ensure consistency of standards.

Moreover, understanding and reducing a company’s scope 3 emissions can lead to positive changes upstream. Our work with AD Branded Solutions is a good example of this. After analysing their carbon footprint, they found that 99% came from sea freight. As a result of this insight, AD Branded Solutions has started working on reducing their shipping emissions.

Acting as an exemplar

It’s clear that evaluating the supply chain of an organisation’s goods and services and acting to improve the sustainability and social responsibility connected to this chain can lead to influential and positive impacts. Positive impact can also be indirect. By providing evidence that sustainable practices can still result in the growth of a successful business, sustainability pioneers and corporate sustainability success stories provide inspiring and influential examples. This will hopefully serve as inspiration for other competitors in their sector to follow their lead, amplifying their initial positive impact with sustained collective action.

Takeaways

Although it may seem that the immediate action of one company may not make a large enough change to have a global impact, every individual step is a step in the right direction. It all adds up. And the effect is magnified when companies act as exemplars, inspiring systematic and collective change in their industry. To the question, ‘Can the actions of one company truly make a positive difference?’, the answer is ‘Yes!’ It is crucial that every company takes responsibility for its impact and influence, no matter how big or small it is.

Get in touch with the Grain team if you want to make a difference!

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