A successful business, large or small, has to understand the importance of looking outwards. A business is more than just a sum of its parts – more than just the bottom line. Sustainable business is also about looking at the role it can play in its local community and in the wider social and natural environment. By looking at its energy consumption, water efficiency and how it interacts with the local environment, a business can become part of the transition to a more sustainable future.

– Transition Initiatives in Business:

The transition movement is transforming towns and cities around the world. Communities are working to go greener and become more self-reliant. Businesses can play an important role in such movement. They can help to make sure our communities can endure for generations to come. With its roots in the permaculture movement, transition initiatives work to care for this planet and its people, while not taking more than a fair share.

A transition business will:

– Care for its workers and community.
– Consider the wider needs of employees and the local community (perhaps through local food growing initiatives or co-operative green transportation schemes).
– Do no harm to the natural environment.
– Work to catch and store energy in the greenest and most efficient way.
– Use renewable energy sources and resources.
– Improve water efficiency and conserve water.
– Reduce consumption, reuse and recycle.
– Design for self-reliance, resilience and a sustainable future.

When a company works to reduce consumption, they are not simply doing so for altruistic reasons. Reducing energy use, switching to renewable energy, conserving water and protecting the environment are ways of future-proofing your business. By becoming part of the transition movement, businesses can mitigate the future effects of peak oil, climate destruction, and economic instability. This is in their own best interests, as well as in the best interests of their community.

What is more, reducing consumption is also better for the bottom line – not only because it can reduce bills and overheads. A sustainable transition business is also firmly rooted within a community. When firmly rooted in this way, a business can capitalise on the ‘feel good’ factor and create a loyal following. Going green is definitely good for business.