A Better World, Inc. summary

You might think that international corporations only destroy the environment, and don’t care about social problems. This is changing. Now, global companies are actually best positioned to find real solutions to environmental problems.

Corporations have a lot of influence in the world. They affect many people’s lives, and they have tremendous financial power that can be reinvested in creating sustainable products and policies.

Corporations don’t just have an incentive to help the environment – they also have an interest in making sure people are healthy. Smart companies know they’ll benefit in the long run if local economies around the world are strong.

A stable economy requires a healthy population and an effective health care system. In fact, a study by the World Health Organization found that in low-income countries, only 17 percent of the population lives for more than 70 years, while in high-income countries the value is 71 percent. Countries with a lower life expectancy have lower average incomes and more unstable economies.

Ultimately, companies are driven by their own interests. This is why they focus on maximizing profits. But what if there’s a way to increase profits and protect the environment?

Companies save money when they increase their productivity, which they can do by reducing their consumption of energy and resources. They benefit financially when they become more environmentally friendly.

People in wealthy, Western nations often assume they aren’t affected by global crises. Obviously, they’re very mistaken. Global warming will hurt everyone, including rich people in New York or Beverly Hills.

Climate change also threatens the profits – and even the very existence – of major companies. It damages them and their customers alike.

So what are the first steps your company should take toward implementing sustainable practices?

First of all, you need a sustainability committee. The sustainability committee should be associated with the company’s board of directors, or another governing board within the organization.

Another way you can help your company reach its sustainability goals is to engage with your stakeholders. Working with more people will only benefit the company, and increase your chances of achieving what you want.

Companies benefit from incorporating their stakeholders’ input – whether they’re customers, employees, investors or even the community around the company.

As we’ve seen, NGOs aren’t always the best at improving the world. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be involved in the process at all, however! Companies stand to gain a lot by working with NGOs to reach their common goals. Businesses and NGOs can often accomplish much more together than they could on their own.

NGOs have a lot to offer businesses. They can provide expertise and networking opportunities, and increase your company’s credibility in the eyes of your customers, employees or investors. They also have their own proven approaches for solving important social, environmental and economic problems. These skills are vital for any company that’s trying to get involved in these issues.