The Future of Sustainable Practices: Paving the Way to a Greener Future

As sustainability becomes increasingly crucial, companies are grappling with the complexities of adopting environmentally-friendly goals and practices. On Earth Day, sustainability professionals gathered to discuss the future direction of sustainability. 

How are businesses currently approaching sustainability?  

Several large global companies have expressed a commitment to sustainability. Customers, investors and the general public are aware of these commitments, which puts pressure on them to keep their word and uphold their reputation. 

“That is pushing it, that is the pressure that I’m seeing on these businesses and it’s not changing,” says Lindsay Hampson, sustainability and ESG consultant and founder of ThisRock.

How can businesses of all sizes implement sustainable practices, even when resources are limited?  

“Sustainability has a role to play in any organization regardless of the size or scale. There are opportunities for impact both internally and externally. This is something that comes from the DNA of a company,” says Hrithik Sharma, analyst at Quinn+Partners.  

Although larger businesses may have access to more resources that can support their sustainability initiatives, smaller companies can still have a positive impact by implementing industry-specific policies and goals into practice. 

How can businesses enhance their resilience and how can local communities contribute?  

“We need a couple of people to be the catalyst in a community itself,” says Hampson.  

It’s vital to understand the significance of incorporating specific sustainability goals to a business. Companies can develop plans that include the relevancy of locations, timelines, and resources required to protect their community and assets.  

How can individual people make more sustainable choices?  

Sustainability can be intimidating when environmental changes are becoming more prevalent, and it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, or whether your individual actions can make a difference. 

“While in my undergrad class at McMaster the professor said, ‘If we don’t do anything, and everything that they expect to happen occurs, then there is no hope for us. But if we do something and the worst-case scenario doesn’t happen, we still are a better operating society.’ At the end of the day, it’s not one person that’s going to change the world, but what can we do in our day-to-day lives that make us feel personally like we’re making a difference?” says Abera. 

What does the future of sustainability look like?  

“I would hope to see the idea of a circular economy where everything is community based,” says Abera. 

Resources

• Check Your Pulse   
• The Net-Zero Challenge  
• Toronto Green Standard 
• Nature at McMaster 
• McMaster Office of Sustainability