Sustainability: Mind the gap

It can be hard to know where to start on a sustainable journey, but it can be even harder to know how and what to measure when it comes to implementing sustainable practices and tracking progress. There is a risk of leaving gaps and there are difficulties around accurately measuring and benchmarking in order to ensure that you are staying on track and progressing in line with plans.

There is also a wealth of information out there; some contradictory, some incorrect or not applicable and some that offers more confusion than clarity. Some will only focus on one specific area or may offer self-certification which can be misleading and even dangerous as it could lead to a risk of greenwashing. Some may focus on management systems over actions that can’t be evidenced which can result in poor outcomes in a firms’ environmental performance.

Working to a pre-determined framework is vital. It can help break this sizable topic down into manageable sections that any company can implement into their business, no matter how big they are or what they do. It also helps ensure all bases are covered. An independent auditing process allows companies to officially prove, demonstrate, and promote their sustainability efforts to the industry and clients.

A framework specific to an industry designed by an industry encourages participation, improvements and real action with real evidence and a scoring system clearly defines what’s been attained to date and offers a steer on what’s next. It also offers a level playing field and the opportunity to learn from others.