Transforming Business
Sustainability is an applied process or practice that seeks to maintain and optimize business enterprises, conserve natural resources and ecosystems, and provide for basic social needs. An underlying premise is that social and economic values depend directly or indirectly on attributes of the natural environment.
The goal is about choices and actions that bring about change toward greater shared value. It’s about securing and maintaining a quality of life provided by and within the capacity of the environment. Sustainability involves planning and management practices that are viewed through extended temporal and spatial dimensions. It continues to grow and present unprecedented opportunities for business, organizations and communities.
Sustainability is not new. Early ideas were introduced in Design with Nature (1969) and Limits to Growth (1972). Global initiatives among the following continue to firmly establish sustainability in business.
- World Conservation Strategy (IUCN, UNEP and WWF 1980)
- Our Common Future (WCED 1987) and Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP 1992)
- ISO 14001 and ISO 26000
- Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards
Sustainability North operates from an understanding of these principles and standards. We help clients plan and apply innovative initiatives that:
- Build operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve environmental performance
- Sustain the growth of business assets and social benefits
- Garner shareholder and stakeholder confidence to move projects forward
- Support regulatory requirements – facilitate approvals and compliance
Many organizations miss out on these benefits. That’s where Sustainability North can help.
Vision
Our vision is to enable and maintain standards that help industry, government and communities pursue sustainable development, economic prosperity and environmental integrity. The outcome is value added for business and long term continuity of social values and ecosystem services.
Although sustainability is a relatively young area of practice, it has evolved in the footsteps of and follows principles similar to the planning profession. The application of these principles by Sustainability North ties together knowledge and action to improve development and operational decisions affecting business, communities and the environment, through services that enhance long-term value to clients.
The logo of Sustainability North reflects the interplay of social, economic and environmental influences among one another in a continuous cycle. We assist organizations from a global perspective, seeking to achieve our vision by introducing sustainability practices, sharing insight and building partnerships to serve the needs of clients.