Sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line
Sustainable Businesses invest time, energy, and resources in taking accountability for their actions which may have a detrimental effect on the world around them. These enterprises take action in investing in harm reduction strategies that aim to benefit the world, not only environmentally, but also socially and economically. They strive to meet the Triple Bottom Line.
The Triple Bottom Line or “Triple-P” (People, Planet, Profit) is a term coined by John Elkington who defines the concept as the balance or harmony between economic wellbeing, social awareness and environmental sustainability.
When all three factors are considered within the day-to-day business operations, we speak of achieve true sustainability.
- “People” (or social dimension) focuses on the impacts organizations have on the communities in which they operate, also known as corporate responsibility.
- “Planet” (or environmental dimension) focuses on direct impact on ecosystems, land, air, and water based on operational inputs, processes and outputs.
- “Profit” (or economic dimension) focuses on financial impact on total Enterprise level, usually expressed in monetary terms such as the efficient use of resources, sales/ profit (ROI), cost savings, job creation and product advantages.
This approach is a tool for assessing sustainability and allows to answer the question: what are a business’s economic, environmental, and social impacts?
Businesses, non-profits and government entities alike can all use the Triple Bottom Line. As can communities to encourage economic development growth in a sustainable manner.
In this regard, sustainable development can be characterized as a socially advantageous, economically practicable and environmentally sustainable development of society.
Through the Green services that we offer, we guide businesses in their effort to achieving the Triple Bottom Line.
Food Waste Programme
Food waste is a considerable contributor to climate change. In Ireland, we produce 800,000 tones of food waste every year, and globally roughly ¼ of all food produced is wasted. The epa estimates that this food waste generates between 8%-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions every year. To help businesses reduce their impact and increase their savings, we have introduced our food waste programme for the food & hospitality sector.
The programme is designed to give food and hospitality businesses the power to take ownership of their food waste problem, to firstly understand the scale of the issue, to recognise the financial and environmental cost it is inflicting on your business, and to take practical steps to minimise their food wastage.
Benefits of the programme
The greatest benefit of minimising your food waste is the potential cost savings. A 2018 report by the EPA found that on average, 87% of food waste disposed of by businesses within the hospitality sector is avoidable. It costs the business owner roughly €3.38 for every kg pf food waste that they produce. A restaurant that fills one brown bin of food waste ever week (noting that a 240 litre wheely bin weighs approx. 84kgs when full), could cost the business €15,000 per year!)
Who is it for:
- Business who work in the food & hospitality sector who are unsatisfied with the level of food they waste and the associated costs.
- Micro-small size businesses, however we can also facilitate larger teams.
Process:
When we look to reduce your food waste, we are working in line with the Food Waste Hierarchy (see below) .Generally, the best way to deal with food waste is to prevent it from occurring, but there are other ways to best manage of food waste.
The key component of our food waste programme is helping you to identify where your food waste is coming from, and reduce it much as possible. To do this, we focus on a few key areas and action out changes as needed.
Areas of focus when addressing food waste:
There are a number of key focus areas that we would investigate in order to fully determine where food waste is being generated and how much of it. These focus areas begin at the ingredients that you order and end at the level of waste your customers leave on their plate.
- Menu Design
- Storage Organisation
- Handling & Preparation
- Portion Control & Plate Waste
- Staff awareness and training
What’s Involved?
Step 1: Initial scoping session with our coach and the team to discuss the desired outcomes of the programme.
Step 2: Business will log onto our e-learning platform and complete the relevant training modules.
Step 3: Our coach will complete online audit, investigating bin placement & type, type of food waste generation, ingredient use, and menu design.
Step 4: Our coach will complete as assessment of bin bill
Step 5: Benchmark current waste
Step 6: Our coach completes and On-Site visit & Evaluation.
Step 7: Discussion of results and investigation into opportunities for change.
Resource Efficiency Programme
There are three key resources within your business that require some level of management, regardless of the size of your business. These are: waste, water, and energy. These resources are essential to the day-to-day running of your business, but it’s important to utilize them in the most efficient way possible.
In 2020 Ireland alone produced nearly 17 million tonnes of waste, with each person on average generating over four tonnes of waste. The less waste your business produces, the more profit it makes (as you don’t have to pay for what you don’t produce!).
Depending on the size of the business, cold water currently cost the business owner anywhere between €1-€3 per 1000 litres of use. Hot water can cost up to five times this, as so much energy is needed to heat the water up. With this in mind, its important for businesses to monitor their water use and manage it well. After all, wasted water is wasted money.
Energy costs across the country are continuing to rise, and is putting a significant strain on businesses. In the retail sector Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning accounts for 50% of energy use- in food retailers such as supermarkets the top energy user is Refrigeration and accounts for 50% of energy use.
Who is it for:
- Businesses who wish to reduce their resource consumption and identify cost saving opportunities.
- Micro-small size businesses, however we can also facilitate larger teams.
How we conduct a resource efficiency assessment
These are the three core areas that we address when conducting a resource efficiency assessment. When we complete a resource efficiency assessment, we look to identify how you can best manage each of these resources within your business to save on costs, emissions and time.
- Waste: It terms of managing waste, prevention is the best option. This involves looking at potential sources of waste and identifying ways to prevent these through simple changes in practices. The process of a waste assessment would involve evaluating and recording the level and type of waste. We would address certain areas of waste including:
- Waste Segregation
- Waste Packaging
- Food Waste
- Water: Here, we monitor and measure water use within the business and look at introducing ways to reduce water usage during water use spikes. We would look to identify high water users, and investigate ways to reduce water use through a change in practice/policy or an introduction into water saving technologies.
- Energy: When we examine ways to reduce energy, use we approach it from three distinct pathways.
- The first is to reduce the Energy Unit Price by switching your energy supplier.
- The second is to reduce energy use within the business by identifying high energy users and reducing consumption.
- Finally, we would look into switching to a renewable source of energy
What’s Involved?
Step 1: Initial scoping session with our coach and the team to discuss the desired outcomes of the programme.
Step 2: Business will log onto our e-learning platform and complete the relevant training modules.
Step 3: Our coach will complete online audit, investigating water use, waste generation, and energy consumption.
Step 4: Our coach will complete as assessment of waste, waster, and energy bills.
Step 5: Benchmark current generation/consumption of each.
Step 6: Our coach completes and On-Site visit & Evaluation.
Step 7: Discussion of results and investigation into opportunities for change.
Green Support Ireland
If you are in need of business direction or support for your business their are also external bodies that offer a range of funding and programmes that you may be eligible for. IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Office Network and Enterprise Ireland Support their client’s companies through various Green and Sustainability programmes and initiatives. Our coaches can help guide you to which program best suits your business.
Green for Micro
A new initiative launched by the Local Enterprise Office that helps prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.
This programme offers micro enterprises (<10 employees) two days sustainability consultancy at no cost to the business. Our consultants will show you how introducing small, impactful changes into your business can have a big impact on your company- and the world around you.
Who is the program for?
- The programme is open to all micro-enterprises with up to ten employees except those involved in activities that the Local Enterprise Offices consider as ineligible for example primary agricultural businesses – farms or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk: gambling including ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956), adult entertainment, tobacco products and cannabis-based products which are not authorised as medicines)
- Turnover is in excess of €30,000 annually in either 2021 or 2022
- The business is trading in excess of 6 months.
- Companies forming part of a holding group, franchise, linked companies etc. are only permitted to make one application. Multiple applications will not be considered.
- Businesses with 10 employees or more may also be eligible, please get in touch to determine your eligibility.
Benefits of the programme:
- Increased cost savings
• Improved resource efficiency (for example: using less energy, water, and materials)
• Reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions
• Opportunities for higher and additional value on products and services
• Increased access to customers, improved corporate image and reputation.
• Increased resilience to climate change impacts
GreenStart
The Green Start programme was launched by the Local Enterprise Office and is a grant for advisory projects for micro-enterprises. The programme offers businesses up to 7 days consultancy with one of our sustainability coaches.
The aim of the programme is to improve the environmental efficiency of a business and increase their resiliency to the impacts of climate change.
What projects can you expect to cover during the programme?
This grant is designed for businesses who although wish to prepare for the low carbon, resource efficient economy of the future, lack the capability to make environmental improvements. Projects that businesses decide to undertake can vary immensely in scope, however below is just an example of some projects that are eligible under the GreenStart programme.
- Guidance with introducing an Environmental Management Systems based on a ‘plan, do, check’ philosophy.
- Advice on conducting a Life Cycle Assessment on a business’s products.
- Direction with aligning businesses practices and policies to national/international frameworks such as Origin Green, UN SDG’s, CDP.
- Navigation of business models towards a Circular Economy culture.
- Guidance with developing a Sustainable/Decarbonisation Strategy and Action Plan.
- Completion of a range of other activities, including: Carbon Footprinting, Green Procurement, Green Tenders, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Logistics, Plastic Management, Developing a Biodiversity action plan, Climate Adaptation, Sustainability Benchmarking, Communications, Employee and Customer Engagement.
Who is the programme for?
- Micro-enterprises (<10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors who have undertaken a Green For Micro programme, and for whom an additional need for support has been identified
- Small enterprises (employing between 10 and 50) who are operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, and who are not currently clients of Enterprise Ireland/Údarás na Gaeltachta.
- Businesses who’s turnover is in excess of €30,000 annually in either 2021 or 2022 and the business is trading in excess of 6 months.
Climate Action Voucher
The objective of the Climate Action voucher is to help companies prepare a plan for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future whether a company is starting out on their green transformation journey or have already started.
The voucher covers either technical or advisory services related to the Operations of the business from an approved service provider up to a value of €1,800. A maximum daily rate of €900 per day shall apply. It is expected that the support would be provided over a relatively short period but can be spread out over a maximum of 6 weeks.
Projects will vary from business to business but will include at least one of:
Develop a sustainability/decarbonisation plan
- Develop sustainability/ decarbonisation plan.
- Guidance on setting appropriate sustainability performance measures, KPIs and targets.
- Guidance with alignment to stuitable reporting and industry frameworks.
- Guidance on data collection and calculating carbon footprint.
Develop a Circular Economy Action plan
- Unnderstand the relevance of circular economy and innocation to you rbusiness.
- Carry out a circular gap assessment
- Identify new opportunities for sustainable growth.
- Prepare a plan to identify and develop circular economy ideas for a more circular product, process or service.
Eligible activities do not include energy audits or general consultancy, design, installation or commissioning, or project implementation.
GreenStart
The aim of the GreenStart assignment is to improve environmental performance through greater resource efficiency helping companies achieve competitive advantage and greater market share through enhanced credentials and cost savings. Projects may vary in scope from implementing a structured environmental management and reporting system to understanding the carbon or environmental footprint of products or services.
Eligible projects can be €6,300 with IDA funding support up to €5,000.
GreenPlus
A GreenPlus project is a medium-scale training project facilitated/supported by an external environmental expert. The aim of the project shall be to develop a high level of environmental management capabilities, drive environmental efficiencies and achieve improved sustainability by establishing and embedding continuous improvement systems and behaviours. This will increase the agility and resilience of client companies to climate change impacts.
GreenStart
The aim of the GreenStart assignment is to improve environmental performance through greater resource efficiency helping companies achieve competitive advantage and greater market share through enhanced credentials and cost savings. Projects may vary in scope from implementing a structured environmental management and reporting system to understanding the carbon or environmental footprint of products or services.
Companies can apply for grant support towards the cost of hiring a Green consultant/trainer to undertake a short in-company assignment which will introduce environmental best practice systems and structures, achieve cost reduction targets and lay a foundation for future environmental improvement projects.
Eligible assignments may include:
- Guidance with basic Environmental Management Systems
- Guidance with developing a Sustainable/Decarbonisation Strategy and Action plan
- Guidance with aligning environment practices to global/Irish sustainability reporting initiatives, e.g., United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, CDP, Origin Green etc.
- Guidance with Life cycle assessment and/or Circular Economy thinking
- Guidance with a range of activities including Carbon Footprinting, developing a Metering roadmap, Green Procurement, Green Tenders, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Logistics, Plastic Management, Developing a Biodiversity action plan, Climate adaptation, Sustainability Benchmarking, Communications, Employee and Customer Engagement.
The cost of the GreenStart assignment is €6,300, with the maximum funding available up to €5,000.
If the cost of the assignments is less than €6,300, the company is still required to pay the first €1,300 in costs. The assignment is for a maximum of 7 days of consulting.
GreenPlus
A GreenPlus project is a medium-scale training project facilitated/supported by an external environmental expert. The aim of the project shall be to develop a high level of environmental management capabilities, drive environmental efficiencies and achieve improved sustainability by establishing and embedding continuous improvement systems and behaviours. This will increase the agility and resilience of client companies to climate change impacts.
Eligible activities include developing a comprehensive climate change and sustainability plan and aligning to international standards and frameworks.
In order to support the change process within the company, the grant can also be used to cover part of the salary cost for up to 10 company green project team members over the project duration. The goal of the project team members is to develop and implement environmental best practice within the company by learning themselves and subsequently training others in environmental improvement tools and techniques. The project team members will be responsible for driving continuous environmental improvement and efficiency.
Projects may vary in size and scope but will typically be 12 months in duration.
Eligible costs include:
- External Training or Advisory Services provided by a suitable Service provider. Supported daily rates for Training or Advisory Services are capped at €900 per day inclusive of travel and subsistence and all out-of-pocket expenses. Note that actual costs to the company are based on market rates and may be higher.
- Salary cost of up to 10 company green project team members, up to 50% of the total project cost, subject to a maximum of 100 days each at a maximum supported rate of €200 per day.
- Training course fees may be approved for specialised external courses that support the project goals. Training courses should be less than 30 days in duration.
Enterprise Ireland will provide grant funding for 50% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum of €100,000 (€50,000).
IDA
The IDA does not provide standardized funding support to companies seeking to enact green and sustainability programmes. Funding for such projects is considered on a case by case basis with the IDA.