Facing opposition from profit-driven stakeholders, how can you ensure sustainability remains a priority?

Ensuring sustainability remains a priority amid opposition from profit-driven stakeholders requires demonstrating its financial benefits. Highlight cost savings from energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. Engage stakeholders by linking sustainability to long-term profitability and market opportunities in green products. Transparent communication and regular reporting on sustainability progress can build trust and show alignment with business goals. By integrating sustainability into the core strategy, it becomes essential to the company's success, appealing even to profit-focused stakeholders.

In my experience, this involves strategic communication and demonstrating the financial benefits of sustainability. Present clear data and case studies showing how sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, risk reduction, and long-term profitability. Highlight regulatory compliance and market trends favouring sustainable businesses. Propose small, initial projects with quick returns to build trust and demonstrate viability. Engage stakeholders by showing how sustainability aligns with and supports their financial goals. Regularly update them on progress and successes to maintain momentum and buy-in. By linking sustainability to financial performance, you can make it a priority for profit-driven stakeholders.

To address opposition from profit-driven stakeholders, we need to reframe sustainability as a long-term cost savings-measure with net positive results. While upfront costs are incurred to begin sustainability initiatives, the long-term result is a reduction in operating costs. Additionally, sustainability initiatives do not need to be complex, or require large amounts capital investment. Many sustainability initiatives can be achieved simply--through education, slight changes in culture & habits, and smart capital investment in efficiencies that produce a rapid ROI. Reframing through education is key to showing stakeholders that ongoing investments in sustainability ultimately increase profitability by lowering costs.

No sería la primera vez que veo a un departamento de una organización informante dedicarse a tratar de convencer o educar a un tercero, (proveedor o cliente), sobre la necesidad de iniciar el viaje verde. Sí pongo en duda la capacidad que tienen las organizaciones para invertir tiempo y dinero en ello. Si ya de por sí les cuesta iniciar su propio viaje, no digamos el de otros. Lo maquiavélico del asunto es que la organización informante necesita de relaciones (partes interesadas) 100% involucradas en el proceso.

As sustainability professionals, building awareness is crucial to keeping sustainability a priority. It's essential to clearly and compellingly articulate the importance of sustainable practices, showing how they align with the company's core values and long-term interests. By educating stakeholders about the risks of neglecting sustainability—such as regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and resource scarcity—we can shift their perspectives. Additionally, providing examples of how sustainable practices have led to cost savings or spurred innovation can demonstrate that sustainability is a strategic advantage, not merely a cost.

You may not have a direct engagement or influencing route to C-Suite, especially those who have 'profit vision'. But you can find an ally in someone who does. Be strategic about engagement and who has the capacity to influence who.

Me gusta que se destaque "diálogo abierto". Las organizaciones suelen basar las relaciones con sus partes interesadas en la realización de encuestas, preguntas genéricas, etcétera. Hacer que las partes interesadas se vean involucradas en el proceso hará que dichas partes interesadas despierten el interés (interno) de llevar a cabo según qué prácticas.

Entablar un diálogo efectivo de sostenibilidad con las partes interesadas es esencial para alinear expectativas y obtener su apoyo Luego de mapearlas y segmentarlas, hay que comprender los intereses, preocupaciones y expectativas de cada grupo de partes interesadas en relación con la sostenibilidad, desarrollando el diálogo por medio de la escucha activa, la interacción y la colaboración

I will engage stakeholders in open and honest conversations to understand their concerns and motivations. This will allow me to address their apprehensions while finding common ground where sustainability and profitability intersect. By fostering a collaborative environment, I can demonstrate that sustainability is not at odds with profit but can, in fact, complement it.

To speak the same business language and being on the same page as the profit-oriented stakeholders, in strategizing the sustainability initiatives we have to choose and embed one of these 4 types of value-exchange in business: 1) Avoid Cost ; 2) Reduce Cost ; 3) Protect Revenue ; 4) Increase Revenue. By choosing this, the precious business resources could be allocated to a clearer shared goal in achieving business success in a sustainable manner.

integrating sustainability into the core business strategy is essential. Set clear, achievable sustainability goals aligned with the company's mission and financial objectives. By embedding sustainability in the strategic planning process, we ensure it is prioritized alongside profit-driven goals. Encouraging the adoption of sustainability metrics alongside financial metrics allows us to measure progress effectively and hold the company accountable for both profit and planet. This dual focus helps ensure long-term success and resilience.

Integrar la sostenibilidad en la estrategia corporativa a traves de: Visión y misión: Asegurar de que la sostenibilidad esté incorporada en la visión y misión de la empresa. Objetivos claros: Establecer objetivos de sostenibilidad claros y medibles que estén alineados con los objetivos financieros y de crecimiento de la empresa. Y demostrar el valor económico de la sostenibilidad por medio de estudios de caso y datos que demuestren cómo las prácticas sostenibles pueden generar ahorros de costos, mejorar la eficiencia operativa y aumentar la rentabilidad a largo plazo.

There is no recipe for implementing long-term sustainable pratices. Each company and each one of its members, in harmony with the corporation's mission, strategy and goals, has to be deeply engaged in the process, which includes more than just reporting according to international standards. For example, a company that usually tends to have stronger "E" values, in comparison to "S" or "G" ones, should compensate this imbalance by improving the employee experience, by establishing new rules for internal audits envisaging positive results for the next years.

I will incorporate sustainability into the organization's strategic planning process, aligning sustainability goals with business objectives. By setting clear, measurable targets and demonstrating how they contribute to overall business success, I can ensure sustainability remains a key focus.

Advocating for supportive regulations can significantly boost sustainability efforts. Push for policies that incentivize sustainable practices or penalize non-compliance to ensure a fair competitive landscape. By engaging in policy advocacy, you can position your company as a leader in sustainability, which enhances its reputation and influence. This proactive approach not only aligns with environmental stewardship but also strengthens market positioning and stakeholder trust, driving long-term business success.

Besides being a generic advocate for policies, I would also determine whether, in the jurisdictions your company is active, there are existing policies or upcoming policies. Furthermore, I would also look into the overall market trends there (with e.g. competitors and customers) around sustainability. Having a proper overview will further enhance the policies around sustainability you are looking to implement into your company.

I will advocate for policies that embed sustainability into the organization’s operations. By working with leadership and key stakeholders, I can help develop and implement policies that prioritize sustainability, ensuring that it becomes an integral part of our decision-making process.

There are amazing examples of successful partnerships between NGOs and companies and one of the most remarkable is the joint effort between entities to carry out the four steps of Reverse Logistics (see ABELORE NGO in Brazil). From a careful and responsible planning to an effective execution, both sides get benefits, not to mention the whole community, starting a positive domino effect that goes beyond just meeting demands.

Partnering with other organizations, NGOs, or industry groups dedicated to sustainability can greatly enhance impact. Through these alliances, share knowledge and resources to advocate for sustainable practices more effectively. Collaborative efforts enable the establishment of industry standards that drive broader market adoption of sustainability, making resistance to change more challenging for individual stakeholders. By uniting forces, you amplify the reach and effectiveness of sustainability initiatives, fostering meaningful industry transformation towards a more sustainable future.

I will seek out partnerships and collaborations that align with our sustainability goals. By working together with other organizations, industry groups, and even competitors, we can leverage collective resources and expertise to drive sustainability initiatives forward.

Transition into a steward owned business structure where voting rights and economic rights are split. Read more on @purpose economy or post growth guide.

Maintaining a long-term vision is crucial. Sustainability requires planning for the future, not just reacting to current demands. Emphasize the importance of leaving a positive impact on the planet and future generations. By highlighting the legacy and enduring value of a sustainable approach, stakeholders can see beyond immediate profits to the lasting prosperity sustainability can bring. Focusing on long-term benefits helps align business strategies with sustainable practices, ensuring resilience and positive outcomes for years to come.

I will emphasize the importance of a long-term vision, showing how sustainability contributes to the organization’s future resilience and success. By aligning sustainability with the company’s long-term goals, I can help ensure it remains a priority, even in the face of short-term profit pressures.

To ensure sustainability remains a priority amid opposition from profit driven stakeholders, emphasize the long-term financial benefits of sustainable practices, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, and enhanced brand reputation. Present data showing that sustainable companies often outperform peers financially. Align sustainability goals with business objectives, demonstrating how they contribute to profitability and value creation. Engage stakeholders through transparent communication, highlighting the value of sustainability in attracting investors and customers. Lastly, leverage regulatory trends and consumer demand to underscore the necessity of integrating sustainability into the core business strategy.

Feel this question is leading to a biased answer. Could be phrased differently. Prioritizing Sustainability, as a business strategy, can increase financial performance so "profit driven" stakeholders should not be in opposition to Sustainability. Sustainability is not an "either" this "or" that but it is an "and", it can be integrated, because what is good for people & planet is good for longterm profit. Greed and short-term thinking, on the other hand, are entirely different animals.....

align sustainability goals with financial benefits. Demonstrate how sustainable practices reduce costs, enhance brand reputation, and attract investors focused on ESG criteria. Use data-driven insights to show the long-term value of sustainability in mitigating risks and ensuring business resilience. Engage stakeholders through transparent communication, highlighting success stories and aligning sustainability with the company's core values and strategic vision. Collaborate to create shared value, balancing profit with environmental and social impact.

Identify and prioritize key stakeholders, understanding their motivations and concerns to tailor your approach effectively. Demonstrate quick wins in sustainability that can lead to larger, more significant changes over time, building trust and support gradually. Use data and analytics to provide concrete evidence of how sustainability initiatives contribute to financial performance, helping to overcome resistance from profit-focused stakeholders.

I agree, and I find it very effective when you link not being ESG compliant business, with being at high business risk on the medium to longer term.