Sustainability initiatives won't just save the planet – they'll save your company, too
According to a survey from tech analyst firm Gartner, 87% of business leaders aim to increase their company's sustainability measures. And according to the surveyed executives, 80% say they're going green because of pressure from customers. Following pressure from customers, 60% of executives say they feel pressured by investors to beef up sustainability initiatives, and 55% attribute this pressure to regulators. But a looming recession and political interventions that affect the prices of materials and energy are factors when a company considers its sustainability measures. Sustainability measures will remain among companies' top three priorities during the next few years. Pressure from consumers and governments resulted in several major tech companies pledging to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within the next 15 to 20 years. Whether companies are fulfilling their promises of decreasing carbon emissions for the sake of the environment or for increasing profits and appeasing the public is up for interpretation. Nonetheless, companies are taking the necessary steps to go green. Companies are particularly interested in investing in sustainability because it shields them financially from disruption, according to 86% of surveyed executives. Sustainability initiatives also decrease business costs, particularly energy consumption (65%) and business travel (42%).