Uncertainty prevails in every industry as Covid-19 continues its stride over mankind. The fact that no one is safe from the deadly virus has increased awareness among all business establishments, including corporates to small scale industries and entrepreneurs. People have realised the significance of creating an environment-friendly business network across the globe. Going green is the new normal as it reaps numerous benefits to the employees as well as the progress of the business post-Covid.
We need to design an efficient economic recovery that will be beneficial to businesses and most importantly, our planet. The solution to overcoming the ill effects of Covid -19 lies in scaling up innovative ideas that result in environmental benefits. Business owners are in the process of bringing eco-conscious changes to their industrial reforms which reflect a greener working environment. The motto is to do the right thing for Mother Earth while the company focuses on working smarter, rather than harder.
Table of Contents
Why Businesses Need A Massive Makeover
The pandemic has caused havoc in every industry. Studies reveal that from this point onwards, economic recovery goes hand in hand with an eco-friendly environment, regardless of what the standards followed were previously. Businesses will not return to normal unless the world adopts a greener livelihood. Given all facts, this is not an easy task as most governments lack the funds to support the green economic recovery. However small steps to implement green investment programs are critical. The economy can be recovered by prioritising developing projects like
- Sustainable Agricultural Programs
- Nature-Based Tourism Plans
- Renewable Energy Ideas
- Green Buildings
- Eco-Friendly Construction
Favourable Outcomes Of Going Green
Cost-Effective Recycling
The ever-tightening restrictions due to Covid and other legal regulations have made it tough for businesses to dispose of industrial waste into landfills like before. Post-Covid, the necessity to increase and enhance hygienic practices is huge. Extreme vigilance is required when it comes to exterminating the waste that is generated after production.
With the lockdowns and restricted movement in place, there have been many amicable decisions regarding waste disposal. Better options like recycling have been adopted which are proving to be cost-effective too.
Green Reputation Increases Good Will
Every business thrives on goodwill and namesake. The consumer market looks forward to having transactions with businesses that prove their transparency on environmental issues. The long-term sustainability of eco-friendly practices results ensures a high retention rate of a loyal customer base. With reputable goodwill of being environmentally conscious, new customers will also find their way to becoming solid supporters of the business.
Eliminating Harmful Practices Attracts Customers
Customers are no longer naïve. They are a brand of enlightened, health-conscious people who give much thought to the environmental impacts of actions. Eco-friendly practices, when adopted by any business will capture the interest of the majority of the consumer market today. They stay away from operations and enterprises that follow wasteful practices.
Health has turned out to be the number one priority for everyone. A smart service provider should focus on providing services that follow eco-friendly procedures which result in the end consumer’s safety. Every organisation should concentrate on putting an end to environmentally destructive investments. Such practices will lead to further aggravation of the pandemic situation as it is very likely to lead to severe disease outbreaks, a decline in biodiversity and cause harm to the eco-system.
Enhances Business Continuity Plans
The perfect example of going green can be seen in remote working or even hybrid working, the latter of which has become highly popular in 2021. Companies have managed to build their resilience to the disruptive shock caused by the pandemic by adopting remote working as part of their business culture. Business continuity was the result of this trial which was by no means essential to the performance of the business as usual. The world saw the instant benefits in its environment as all of a sudden there was a reduction of carbon footprints and emissions caused by heavy commuting to work.
Rise Of New Ventures And Opportunities
Business owners have been forced to think out of the box. More industries are diverting their attention to widening their business horizons. They are exploring new possibilities and travelling over unfamiliar territory to diversify into providing eco-friendly services. The traditional methods of conducting business and usual outcomes are being overlooked because any catastrophe can lead to business interruptions which may cause more harm than this pandemic. Business owners are now developing a full risk proof backup plan to overcome any situation that can disrupt the economic goals of the organisation.
Green Reputation Becomes A Valuable Asset
Becoming a Globally responsible brand and wearing a badge that shouts Green Reputation is one of the most valuable assets any organisation can have in a post-Covid World. There is no end to the list of businesses that are sinking due to the sudden fall in the economy. As business owners are reaching out and grasping their way out of darkness, many fear that their ship may sink anytime.
The financial crisis, uncertain futures and despairing employees are the scenes that run in most organisations. Breaking away from such spectacles and leaning towards the reinvention of the organisation by adopting green ideas will help them emerge from massive disruptions. Post pandemic transformation can become a reality once nature-positive industry models and operations standards are implemented.
5 Quotes To Hold On To
We have the capacity to create a remarkably different economy: one that can restore ecosystems and protect the environment while bringing forth innovation, prosperity, meaningful work, and true security. – Paul Hawken
If it can’t be reduced, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production. – Peter Seeger
We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. – Howard Zinn
If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us. – David Suzuki
The future will be green, or not at all. – Jonathon Porritt
The Final Note
A resilient and thriving economy depends on the shift to green, sustainable eco-practices. Global interconnectedness is a factor that no one can ignore. Harming the environment is likely to cause far more destruction than the COVID-19 was capable of. It is high time that we recognise this and take the required actions to prevent any further disintegration of nature and the ecosystem.
The business world has learnt an ever-important principle -The global economy cannot be sustained on the short-term economic increase. Paying adequate heed to long-term resilience can avoid environmental degradation and speed up the process of building back better.
