Creating value from environmental sustainability

Operating in a more environmentally sustainable way is a key priority for both business and governments. Yet achieving that aim in a way that adds value can be a complex and difficult task.

For the public sector, the challenge lies in creating an efficient mix of regulatory and market-based incentives. PA Consulting Group has been working in a dozen different countries on practical ways to reduce greenhouse gases without excessive regulation.

In the private sector, PA has been working with clients to develop ways of operating sustainably which reduce costs and risks, while creating new business opportunities. Our work designing smart grid solutions for America's energy sector has attracted significant investment in carbon reduction, streamlined operations and given consumers choices about consumption.

The evidence from our work is that sustainable behaviour in individuals and companies can be combined with growth. It also shows that businesses that commit to environmental sustainability create stronger organisations with better financial returns.

Our approach to effective sustainable performance focuses on three areas:

• reducing costs by more efficient use of resources, lean processes and improvements in technology

• reducing risks by anticipating changes in regulatory requirements and preparing for carbon markets, and demands for renewable energy use

• looking to the long term by creating effective partnerships with consumers and other stakeholders which ensure the business is trusted to operate in a sustainable way.

All this work must be underpinned by rigorous analysis of the costs and benefits of sustainability initiatives and an evaluation of the actual returns delivered by programmes during and after implementation. 

PA uses its knowledge and expertise to support clients through four stages to ensure their environmental sustainability programmes deliver results:

• Diagnose: understand the drivers of environmental sustainability in the organisatio

• Plan: create a strategy to maximise value from sustainability initiative

• Deliver: execute the strategic plan and track benefits delivere

• Sustain: ensure the organisation continuously improves on the value delivered from sustainability initiatives

To find out how your organisation could profit from a sustainable approach, please contact us now.