5 Reasons For Becoming A More Sustainable Business
It’s a new year and no better time than the present to put sustainability as a priority in your business. We’re positive it’s not the first time you’ve heard that sustainability is good for business, but what does sustainability really mean and how is it good for your business?
What Does Sustainability Mean In Business?
Sustainability in business is about integrating economic, environmental, and social responsibilities into everyday operations and long-term strategies. It means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Essentially, it’s about reducing the negative impact we may have in any area of our business. For businesses, this involves reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, and supporting communities while remaining profitable.
The concept is often framed through the Triple Bottom Line:
- People – Fair treatment of employees, communities and clients
- Planet – Minimising any negative environmental impacts
- Profit – Ensuring long-term financial viability. After all, how can we do good by our teams, communities and environment if we can’t stand on our own two financial feet?!
Companies like our member businesses Watermark Coffee and Home of Hair exemplify this by sourcing ethically, reducing waste, and investing in biodiversity projects, such as native oyster restoration.
What Do Regenerative Business Practices Mean?
You may have heard of the term regenerative being used quite frequently these days. Regenerative practices go beyond sustainability. While sustainability focuses on reducing harm, regeneration aims to restore and replenish ecosystems and communities. Rather than reducing negative impacts, it’s more about boosting positive impact. In Ireland, this is evident in initiatives like the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark Regenerative Tourism Business Network, where members have implemented biodiversity measures, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels to actively improve their environment.
Regenerative principles can include:
1. Designing products for circularity
We heard some thought-provoking examples at our sustainability networking roadshow in Killarney from Dr. Helena McMahon and their products at Seabody and Zita McCarthy at Kerry Dairy Ireland who repurpose their waste to make new products, proving that sustainability can create new revenue streams.
2. Investing in soil health and biodiversity
For example, Wildacres in Wicklow has done and continues to do monumental work in bringing overgrazed farmland back to life, handing it back over to nature.
3. Creating social value through community partnerships
Businesses have the ability to create better places for communities to flourish and thrive. Guinness Storehouse recently launched the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund with Diageo Ireland, which sees €1 million being invested in local community initiatives and projects over five years. Portmagee Whiskey is also making the small, rural town of Portmagee open all year round and creating events not for visitors, but for the local community as a way of boosting its livelihood, offering more opportunities and things to do for locals.
5 Reasons For Becoming A More Sustainable Business
Now you know what sustainable business and regenerative business means, let’s get into the nitty gritty of how it can help your business. There are compelling reasons why 2026 is the year to act:
1. Cost Savings & Efficiency
Sustainable practices like energy efficiency and waste reduction lower operational costs.
But while cost-of-living pressures weigh, some consumers say they are willing to spend 9.7% more, on average, for sustainably produced or sourced goods, 46% say they are buying more sustainable products as a way to reduce their impact on the environment.
2. Consumer Demand & Brand Loyalty
Millennials and Gen Z prioritize sustainability and transparency more than any other generation. Studies show that 60% of Millennials and 59% of Gen Z are willing to pay extra for sustainable products and services.
3. Talent Attraction & Retention
Employees want to work for purpose-driven companies. Membership in networks like SBN signals commitment to values that matter to today’s workforce. You can learn more about the other brilliant benefits of our membership here.
4. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Reduction
When the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) comes in effect in Ireland, Irish businesses will be required to report on ESG metrics. Early adopters will avoid penalties and reputational risks.
5. Future-Proofing Your Business Against Climate Risks
Extreme weather and resource scarcity threaten supply chains. Sustainable businesses build resilience and open doors to green finance opportunities.
Join the Sustainable Business Network today and we can breakdown sustainability into understandable and simple steps for you and your business. Access resources, training, and a community of changemakers. Together, we can make sustainability simple, strategic, and scalable for all Irish businesses.
