With the world going digital the need for transparency in businesses is of the utmost importance. Now, not only is there increasing pressure, to be honest but there is also pressure to do good. Organisations are expected to demonstrate their social purpose to stakeholders and show that while committed to the generation of profit, they too are committed to providing value to the society they find themselves in. With COVID 19 hitting the world, more and more businesses are being held accountable for their involvement in the assistance and betterment of society.
With the needs of the world being exacerbated during this time, there is no longer room for corporate social investment initiatives to be for show which is an accusation they hold in the past. Any company pushing a press release claiming to have benefitted society is being scrutinised for validity and sincerity. What is particularly under the microscope is corporate social investment initiatives that claim to be saving the environment. What is becoming increasingly apparent is companies preaching environmentally friendly narratives that themselves are inherently unsustainable business models. Consumers are wising up and demanding more than feel-good attempts at saving the environment finding businesses are not putting their money where their mouth is.
What is greenwashing?
There is increasing pressure on companies to put their social responsibility above profit. This is highly focused on the initiative of ‘going green’ but this has led to greenwashing.
“Greenwashing involves companies either misleading consumers about the green credentials of a product or service, or misleading consumers about the environmental performance of the company as a whole,” says Brophy Haney. “Historically, big business has been able to get away with greenwashing because there has been limited understanding of what ‘green’ means, and a plethora of different definitions and certifications with little standardisation.”
Green simply means environmentally friendly and sustainable.
The value of sustainability in business
Sustainability, when done right, drives business success. There are more benefits to saving the environment, when done sincerely, that are intrinsic to business success. Some of these benefits include:
- Environmentally friendly practices lead to better waste management and subsequently save costs.
- Greater resource efficiency.
- A reduction in the amount of water used.
- Energy conservation for example a Stanford University study finds that for every ton of recycled aluminium (cans) 14000 kilowatts of electricity are saved.
Consumers are increasingly seeking socially responsible businesses especially when it comes to the environment but to make a real difference, they need to look at real, sustainable change. Introducing ISO 26001:2010 – Guidance on Social Responsibility.
What is ISO ISO 26001:2010?
ISO 26001:2010 is an internationally recognised standard that guides the principles of social responsibility. With increasing pressure from consumers and stakeholders to “go green,” it is helpful to have policies and procedures, like in ISO 26001:2010, which recognises responsibility, engages stakeholders, and integrates social responsibility into an organisation. It provides a guideline of ethics helping organisations to understand their social responsibility simultaneously giving them tools to achieve it. The goal of implementing ISO 26001:2010 is to contribute to sustainable development.
Why implement ISO 26001:2010 into a business?
ISO 26001:2010 demonstrates to your customers and stakeholders that you care about the environment and sustainability. All organisations of any size and nature can implement ISO 26001:2010 to contribute more positively to the environment while simultaneously cultivating a culture of accountability and sustainability internally.
What are the benefits of ISO 26001:2010?
Being certified with ISO 26001:2010 proves the efficiency of product quality and service delivery. It demonstrates to stakeholders that you genuinely care about the environment and have a vested interest in the sustainability of the environment and society. Some of the benefits of implementing ISO 26001:2010 include:
- The implementation and encouragement of socially responsible behaviour.
- The improvement of internal processes to a point where they positively contribute to the environment.
- Increased awareness about Corporate Social Responsibility.
- Better resource management.
- An enhanced reputation based on the achievement of ISO certification.
- Increased profit.
How do I implement ISO 26001:2010 in an organisation?
With WWISE. We have a wide range of professionals including consultants, engineers, and registered lead auditors who take the time to understand your organisation before implementing any ISO standard. We not only take the time to truly understand your business but also teach you to maintain your ISO Standard after implementation.
WWISE has a 4-Phase Approach:
- Phase 1: Gap Analysis Audit and Information Gathering
- Phase 2: ISO Documentation, Risk Assessment, and Process Mapping
- Phase 3: Implementation and Coaching
- Phase 4: Certification
WWISE creates excellence by driving the success of our clients through ISO standards. We help organisations to embed resilience, helping them to cultivate sustainably, adapt to any change, and thrive for the long term.
For more information on how you can train your employees on ISO 26001:2010 contact WWISE today on 08610 99473 or 021 525 9159, or visit our website: https://www.wwise.co.za