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by Robin Sharma
A Big-Brand Takeover of Sustainability
Eco-Business by Peter Dauvergne and Jane Lister explores how corporations are responding to environmental challenges, offering insights into sustainable practices and the future of eco-friendly business.
What comes to mind when you hear the term eco-business?
You might think about a company that restructures its business practices out of concern for the environment. But in fact, the pursuit of profit is the main driver of the eco-business trend.
How can this be? Well, increasing the sustainability of a company is, above all else, a great way to cut manufacturing costs and increase efficiency. In other words, becoming an eco-business allows a company to make and sell more goods.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto invested $25,000 CAD to upgrade its water systems as part of an energy conservation program. The result? A more efficient and less wasteful system that generated over $200,000 CAD in annual savings.
So from a business standpoint, being sustainable is smart. But isn’t it also good for society and the environment? Actually, not really. In the long term, eco-businesses have a negative impact on social justice and environmental conservation.
That’s because, as we’ve mentioned, supply chain efficiency facilitates accelerated production at lower per-unit costs. In other words, companies make more stuff for less.
As a result, the total environmental impact of an eco-business increases even as the per-unit consumption of water, energy, material and waste decreases.
Consider Coca-Cola. A decreased per-unit cost of production means lower costs, which allows the beverage company to meet increasing demand. But this accelerated production has had a taxing effect on its sugar cane suppliers. In fact, soil fertility in Papua New Guinea has dropped by 40 percent within the last two decades, due to increased production of sugar cane.
Coca-Cola’s story also hints at another influencing factor. As eco-business practices make corporations ever-more successful, their power over the economic system grows. And that’s why, according to the World Wildlife Fund, Coca-Cola has more power over commodity producers than does the United Nations.
Eco-Business (2013) unpacks corporate sustainability initiatives to reveal a business model that has far more to do with profit and market share than earnest environmentalism. The tools and tactics described in these blinks allow businesses to cut costs and maximize profits, all in the name of the environment. Yet through firms’ collaboration with governments and NGOs, some corporate eco-initiatives can actually have a positive effect on the environment.
Eco-Business (2012) is an insightful exploration of the relationship between business and the environment, providing readers with a fresh perspective on sustainable practices. Here's why this book is worth reading:
A market study by A. T. Kearney showed that companies with a commitment to sustainability outperformed their peers by 15 percent during the financial crisis.
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Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Eco-Business?
The main message of Eco-Business is that sustainable business practices are essential for the future of our planet.
How long does it take to read Eco-Business?
The reading time for Eco-Business varies, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Eco-Business a good book? Is it worth reading?
Eco-Business is a worthwhile read that provides valuable insights on sustainability and business. It offers practical ideas for creating a more environmentally conscious future.
Who is the author of Eco-Business?
The authors of Eco-Business are Peter Dauvergne and Jane Lister.