For Businesses and Organizations
Strong financial performance, fair and equitable treatment of employees, and smart stewardship of natural resources – these values are fundamental to cultivating sustainable businesses and organizations.
Sustainability is a comprehensive approach that simultaneously integrates social equity, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity in decision-making. In other words, it is a comprehensive, ongoing commitment to support healthy residents and employees, build vibrant communities, and advance environmentally responsible practices.
Countless reports and surveys demonstrate the importance of embracing sustainability as a strategy for success.
- 88% of employees say working for a company with a strong purpose is more important to them than ever before. Porter Novelli Purpose Tracker, August 2020
- Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Why Diversity Matters, McKinsey & Co.
- Low-emissions products and services represent $2.1T in opportunity. CDP
- Institutional investments in Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) performance are expected to reach $33.9 trillion by 2026, more than doubling in the United States alone. PwC, October 2022
For Municipalities
From a local government perspective, Pennsylvania’s municipal leaders have a profound role in advancing quality of life and access to opportunities in their communities. Using sustainability as a strategic framework helps municipalities achieve these goals.
Questions to ask:
- Does your community have streets where people of all ages and abilities can travel safely on foot, by bike, by bus, or by any other means?
- Can your children swim, play, or fish in local waterways?
- Can people who work at the local grocery store afford to live in your community or nearby in an equally safe and beautiful neighborhood?
- Do all community members participate or feel welcomed to participate in community-wide events or in the creation of policies or practices?
- Are there accessible and safe places for enjoying nature and playing outdoors?
- Is the community working to mitigate carbon emissions and preparing for a changing climate?
Working with municipal staff, elected leaders, residents, and businesses, municipalities can chart a course for creating a community that offers opportunity for everyone.