Introduction to sustainability
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Introduction to Sustainability Dr Mehdi Shahbazpour Mechanical Engineering
description
Environmental Sustainability has become an important aspect of business today. But many businesses aren't sure what to make of it. This is an introductory lecture about sustainability and how it can be practically related to business.
Transcript of Introduction to sustainability
Introduction to Sustainability
Dr Mehdi ShahbazpourMechanical Engineering
Learning Objectives• Understand the complexities of sustainability• Become aware of a range of attitudes and
perspectives on sustainability• Understand the key stakeholders in the
sustainability landscape• Become aware of a number of tools to
incorporate sustainability as a business requirement
Mehdi Shahbazpour, 2012
DefinitionSustainability is about meeting the needs of today, without adversely impacting on the needsof the future generation.
Economic system
Social system
Ecosystem
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Sustainability is Complex• Uncertainty• Time-delay• Distant Problem• Conflicting interests• Different motivations• Social phenomenon
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Sustainability Stakeholders• Public (current and
future generations)
• National government
• Local government
• Tax payers
• Rate payers
• Businesses
• Customers
• Investors
• Consultants• Certifying bodies• Accreditation bodies• International Organisations• Lobby Groups
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Spectrum of Attitudes• It’ all a load of …
• Got more important issues to deal with
• It’s important and I am doing what I can
• “It’s how we do things around here” and we encourage others to do the same
• Nothing is as important than this
• Oh my God, the world is coming to an end!
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New Zealand Context
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New Zealand Business Context
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Sustainability in Practice• Treat sustainability as an important business
requirement• Assess its importance based on the attitude of
your stakeholders• Whether the stakeholder is technically right or
wrong makes little difference• Be specific about what sustainability means in
the context of your business• Link you sustainability objectives with business
objectivesMehdi Shahbazpour, 2012
Sustainability in Practice• Treat sustainability as an important business
requirement• Assess its importance based on the attitude of
your stakeholders• Whether the stakeholder is technically right
or wrong makes little difference• Be specific about what sustainability means in
the context of your business• Link you sustainability objectives with business
objectivesMehdi Shahbazpour, 2012
Sustainability in your Business• Decide on your strategy towards incorporating
sustainability in your Business– Defensive: Legal compliance– Managed: Reduce impact– Integrated: Proactive and Advocate– Inspiring: Rethink, Innovate
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Practical Sustainability• Aspects and Impacts• Life Cycle Thinking• Triple Bottom Line• Creating Shared Value• Legal Compliance• No Greenwash
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Aspects and ImpactsThe starting point of any sustainability assessment
is the identification of Aspects and Impacts
Aspects : activity or aspect of an activity that has an impact on society or the environment
Impact : positive/negative, direct/indirect impact of an activity on society or the environment
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Aspects and ImpactsExample Activity: This Lecture
Sustainability Aspects: Transport, Power, Advocacy
Sustainability Impacts: Air pollution, GHG, Traffic, Increased sustainability awareness, etc.
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Aspects and Impacts• Identifying Aspects:
– Define the scope– List all activities– Brainstorm all the different aspects of each
activity that may impact the society and the environment
– Apply Life Cycle thinking– Group activities by Aspects
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Aspects and Impacts• Identifying Impacts:
– Scarce Resources: Water, Energy, Forest, Plantations, Other Natural resources
– Impact on Environment: Bio-diversity, Air, Water, Soil, Wastes (solid, chemical, hazardous), Public health
– Impact on Society: Communities, Tangata Whenua, Heritage, Public perception, Noise, Aesthetics
– Legal and other requirements
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Aspects and Impacts• Rating Significance of Aspects:
– Severity– Spills/Accidents– Frequency or Likelihood– Control– Financial Implications– Legal requirements– Etc.
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Aspects and Impacts• Managing Aspects to reduce/eliminate
Impact:– Eliminate Aspect– Minimise Aspect– Eliminate Impact– Minimise Impact
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Life Cycle Thinking
Source: UNEP
Triple Bottom Line
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• Expanded criteria for organisational performance management
• People, Profit, Planet• Corporate Social
Responsibility
Creating Shared Value
Legal Compliance
“Greenwash”
www.sinsofgreenwashing.org
Summary• Sustainability is complex and involves many stakeholders• There is a spectrum of attitudes towards sustainability• Treat sustainability as a very important requirement in
your business• Systematically analyse sustainability aspects and impacts • Apply lifecycle thinking• Link you sustainability objectives with business objectives• Avoid Greenwash
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Reading
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• Greening NZ’s Growth: http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/environment/pdf-docs-library/Greening%20New%20Zealands%20Growth.pdf
• NZ’s Position on the Green Race: http://www.pureadvantage.org/PUA0018_GREEN_RACE_REPORT.pdf
• Introduction to RMA: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/everyday/overview/getting-in-on-the-act.pdf
• Life Cycle Thinking: http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/DTIx0594xPA-Road.pdf
• Sustainability interventions - for managers of projects and programmes: http://www.dashdot.co.uk/sustainability-interventions-1-1-download-2.pdf
• Environmental Awareness for Civil Construction Projects: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/education/env_awareness.pdf
• Business Guide to Sustainable Development Reporting: http://www.sbc.org.nz/sdr/SDR_Guide.pdf
