4 February 2013 EPWN Amsterdam GEI workshop HOW TO GREEN YOUR BUSINESS By Maja S. Todorovic, PhD

Reducing our environmental impacts while establishing economical and social viability WHY SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GREEN ECONOMY

POLLUTION Over the past decade, an average of 600,000 barrels of oil a year has been accidentally spilled from ships!

CONSUMPTION We use 5 billion aluminium cans per year

WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET… … but we consume like we have 7!

THE CHANGE IS NECESSARY AND INEVITABLE! Change is necessary and inevitable!

 Every one of us can contribute and become part of green economy through green and sustainable business practices  But keep in mind… SO… WHAT CAN WE DO?

Not enough! Sustainability involves: being mindful of the future as we make decisions today meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs “needs” also includes profitability! BEING OR DOING “GREEN” IS NOT SUSTAINABLE … unless it’s profitable and helps people!

A strong presence in the sustainability world: as environmentally aware consumers as workers as change agents Feminine/right-brain leadership is beneficial for sustainability: Cooperation holistic thinking intuitive decision-making to work alongside masculine principles of competition and linear thinking. THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE GREEN ECONOMY

environmentally sustainable socially responsible economically sustainable HOW TO BECOME A SUSTAINABILITY LEADER?  Through delivering environmental responsible business practices:

Operational cost savings Revenues from selling waste Competitive advantage Attracts new clients and markets Employee motivation Sustainable design of products and services Recognition REASONS FOR GREEN BUSINESS

Define goals Define environmental mission Apply improvement action plans Define operational procedures HOW TO ACHIEVE GREEN BUSINESS

SUGGESTED GREEN MANAGEMENT MODEL Report results Follow your progress Develop and implement action plan Assess env. impact of your business operations Evaluate possible strategies and instruments Assess your commitment to greening your business PROFIT

ASSESS YOUR COMMITMENT TO GREENING YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE… Idea + goodwill = motives for good

EVALUATE POSSIBLE STRATEGIES AND INSTRUMENTS

Take the quiz “How green is my business?” How did you go?  Mostly NO: room to improve the environmental performance of the business  Mostly YES: your business has shown commitment to protect the environment This quiz is a fast way for you to determine the “hot spots” of environmental impacts that your business is making. ASSESS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

 Conduct environmental audits INFORMATION IS THE KEY OF GOOD MANAGEMENT

Example of Green Mission Statement: “The Howard Company, Inc. makes efforts to operate our business in an environmentally responsible manner. We are committed to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, and recognize that reducing the environmental impact of our products and operations is an important part of the value we deliver to our customers”. DEFINE MISSION AND GOALS OF YOUR GREEN BUSINESS

1. Energy Efficiency Plan 2. Water Efficiency Plan 3. Green Supply Chain Plan 4. Green IT/Paperless office 5. Green Products and Services Design 6. Transport Improvement Plan 7. Waste Management Plan DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLANS 7 step plan

SHARE YOUR IDEAS How can you improve business operations in one of these areas?

Follow the effect of applied measures in every phase of improvement! MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS

Don’t be shy and tell the world! REPORT YOUR RESULTS To promote your business:  Be honest  Be transparent  Take it into your own advantage Huge benefits come from a streamlined approach to CSR having impact on:  environment  people

DOING GREEN BUSINESS IN THE NETHERLANDS DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE!