TL;DR
Climate change, resource scarcity, and consumer demand are making sustainable business practices
Embracing sustainability can spark innovation and improve profitability for companies of all sizes.
The transition may feel challenging, but SMEs and larger businesses alike can take manageable steps.
This guide breaks down a step-by-step approach to becoming a sustainable company.
The goal: help businesses build resilience, stay competitive, and become future-ready.
Introduction
The more we start to notice the effects of climate change, the more important sustainability is becoming as a business imperative. Along with climate change, we are increasingly dealing with resource scarcity and rising consumer awareness, reshaping how companies operate and how customers choose who to support. The public is no longer focused solely on profit; they expect companies to consider broader human and environmental needs.
The good news is that becoming a sustainable company is not only achievable but can also be profitable, innovative, and a way to lead your industry. With the right tools and guidance, even small steps can have a significant impact.
Why sustainability is important
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human-caused global warming has already reached approximately 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels and is on track to exceed 1.5°C unless immediate action is taken. This isn’t just an environmental crisis anymore; it can be considered an economic one.
Consider these numbers:
78% of consumers say they're more likely to support brands that prioritize sustainability and the importance of a sustainable lifestyle.
According to this Harvard Business School study, companies with ‘high sustainability’ efforts have outperformed their competition over the long term.
Globally, there is over $30 trillion invested in sustainable investing assets.
So, the question is not whether your company should become sustainable; it is how fast you can get there. To help you on the way, we have made this guide that explains in a few steps how you can make your company more sustainable.
Step-by-step: how to become a sustainable company
1. Define your vision
Set a north star. What matters to your company?
Carbon neutrality?
Ethical sourcing?
Circular economy?
Knowing where you want to go makes it easier to define the road to get there.
2. Measure and audit your impact
You can’t improve what you can’t measure. Calculate your carbon footprint with one of the tools that can be found online. Regreener offers, for example, the Carbon Calculator. This tool is designed to help companies assess and manage their carbon emissions, with the primary purpose of facilitating the measurement of scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
3. Embed sustainability across your business
Once you have measured your carbon footprint, you can use this knowledge to inform your sustainability plan. The goal is to make sustainability a core strategy, not just a side project. You can implement it in areas such as
Products: Design with circularity in mind. Use reusable, modular, low-impact materials.
Operations: Use green energy, efficient processes, and waste-reduction programs.
Supply Chain: Source locally or ethically, track emissions, and ensure fair labor practices.
In addition to our carbon footprint tool, we also offer comprehensive consultation throughout the process.
4. Empower your people
Sustainable change comes from inside your business. Train your staff in sustainability, launch green challenges, and build a purpose-driven culture. Employees feel more engaged with a company that is doing ‘something good.’ It is not easy, but once you have your employees engaged, they can be up to 16% more productive and 18% more loyal.
5. Track, report, and certify
Sustainability is not a “one-and-done” effort, so once you are on the road forward, it is essential to stay on that road. Keep tracking and reporting your emissions. Besides that, it is highly advised to become certified by a globally recognized standard like Ecovadis or B-Corp. This certification can be very useful in the next and last step.
6. Communication
Once you have gone through all these efforts to make your company more sustainable, it is important to communicate this correctly to the outside world. A good communication strategy can help you build stakeholder trust and credibility, engage employees, attract customers, and strengthen B2B relationships and sales. For the strongest effect, it is important to communicate correctly and also to avoid greenwashing. To find a comprehensive guide on this, please read our article Sustainability communication: the do’s and don’ts for ethical green marketing strategies.
Start small, scale fast
You don’t have to achieve carbon neutrality overnight, but you do need to begin. Start by understanding your current impact, create a clear, personalized roadmap for improvement, and take action where you can.
Conclusion
Becoming a sustainable company is no longer a vision for the future; it’s a business necessity today. The steps may seem daunting at first, but every action, no matter how small, moves your company closer to a more resilient, responsible, and profitable future. By following our 6 steps, becoming a sustainable company comes within reach for everyone. Define your vision, measure your impact, embed sustainability across your business, empower your people, track your progress, and communicate authentically.
Ready to take the next step toward a sustainable, future-ready business? Get in touch with Regreener today for personalized guidance, tools, and support to make sustainability a core part of your company’s strategy.
