As significant economic, political, and technological forces evolve, enterprises are shifting into a more sustainability-conscious mindset. It is more important than ever that companies consider how they can implement sustainable practices.
Corporate sustainability is often defined as meeting the needs of the future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Before learning how to approach ways to make your business more sustainable and energy resilient it is essential to understand the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social.
Environmental Sustainability Pillar
The first pillar of sustainability focuses on the impact commercial buildings can have on the environment. Commercial buildings must focus on responsible use of natural resources, and reducing their overall carbon footprint. Reducing commercial carbon emissions plays a significant role in ensuring the future of climate-resilient and sustainable communities. It is more important than ever that commercial buildings focus on environmental sustainability as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and the climate continues to change.
When combined with the other pillars of sustainability, commercial buildings can help to reduce these environmental stressors. Steps that commercial buildings can take to become more environmentally friendly include using alternative energy sources, tracking and reducing carbon footprint, and reducing energy consumption.
Economic Sustainability Pillar
The economic pillar of sustainability ensures companies can achieve long-term growth without exhausting natural or human resources. Companies that have achieved economic sustainability maintain a healthy balance between human needs, environmental impact, and the need to make profit.
The economic pillar also makes it possible to consider the other two pillars of sustainability while making sure they can remain profitable. For example, a company may decide to add solar panels to their commercial buildings, but the economic pillar ensures that the company has made sure this is also a profitable decision and implements measures to track the solar power performance.
Social Sustainability Pillar
The social pillar of sustainability addresses how companies treat their employees, customers, and other stakeholders they interact with. Companies that are socially sustainable excel at identifying and managing both the positive and negative impacts they have on people.
Businesses can ensure social sustainability by taking measures that protect their employees’ health, safety, and overall well-being, such as controlling building temperature, monitoring air quality, and more.
Along with other factors, building temperature and air quality play a large role in the health and happiness of employees and customers. Studies have been performed that show buildings with temperatures that are too hot or cold hold unhealthy, unhappy, and underperforming employees. In addition, air quality monitoring protects the safety and health of both employees and customers.
Energy Management Systems and Sustainability
Energy management systems are changing the way enterprises approach and address sustainability. When using an EMS, there is no need to make sacrifices in order to achieve sustainability goals. An EMS can help your company master all three pillars of sustainability by controlling building temperature, reducing energy usage, and reducing energy costs. Get a free demo of GridPoint’s energy management system to see how your company can become more sustainable today.