Farai M Nhekairo
AFRICAN communities face a wide array of environmental challenges that are not only a threat to the health and well-being of citizens, but also to its economy and social cohesion.
Land use practices both in rural and urban areas have landed communities in serious predicaments and the reality of land and water pollution, deforestation and a biodiversity crisis have come to the fore.
While climate change is continuously exacerbating the aforementioned challenges, it is pertinent for businesses to explore innovative solutions to help communities through their business endeavours to solve these challenges while remaining profitable.
Environmentally sustainable “green” practices, production processes and consumption decisions are instrumental in reducing the carbon footprint.
Organisations can show the will to transform to “green enterprises” anchored on the “Triple Bottom Line”, a sustainability framework that measures business success in three key areas, people, planet and profit.
This business concept reminds firms that in addition to their profit generation goal, they should also commit to measuring their social and environmental impact.
Thus, building organisational goals on the foundations of environmental sustainability does not only present benefits to the environment, but also create opportunities for businesses through increased profitability and value for consumers.
In present-day, consumer preferences have shifted towards a green lifestyle following awareness of numerous environmental sustainability issues.
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the urgent need to address climate change, and many other anthropogenic environmental challenges, some organisations are making steps yet some still need to commit to reducing their environmental impact and contribute to an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable future