Consult Australia and Norman Disney & Young (NDY) have announced the release of a brand new sustainability guide for businesses of all sizes and disciplines.

“The Business of Sustainability”(BOS) is an online sustainability tool dual created by Consult and NDY to help guide professional services businesses towards more sustainable practices.

“A more sustainable business means delivering a better business in every sense: more efficient, smarter, more competitive and more profitable. Achieving this is critical to the ultimate goal of a sustainable future. That is the business of sustainability,” said Consult Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Megan Motto.

A Task Group comprising industry professionals such as AECOM, Arup, Aurecon, GHD, Jacobs SKM, Parsons Brinckerhoff and URS helped developed the project details, which have a particular focus on professional services firms.

“Behind every business decision, many questions, scenarios and outcomes are considered, each of which impact the path chosen and the eventual outcome,” said Motto.

“The move towards a more sustainable business is no exception as it often entails reworking of existing business models and strategies.”

The main feature of the BOS is the Decision Support Tool, which was developed to bridge the gap between intent and achievement of business sustainability in the legal, accounting, finance, management, consulting and government service industries.

Accessed via the BOS website, the tool is structured across four broad-based activity areas, which helps guide strategic leadership discussions within firms. They are:
1. Sustainable governance, reporting and accounting
2. Internal engagement and staff culture
3. Collaboration and engagement
4. Technological improvements to offices and infrastructure

“The authors have developed a catalogue of questions—structured under the four activity areas—they would encourage you to think about,” said Motto.

“The questions are designed to assist firms to identify the path by which they are most likely to achieve their corporate vision. Any plan for sustainability must be fully integrated with the day-to-day business practices of the organisation.”

NDY’s global director of sustainability, and former Chair of the World Green Building Council, Tony Arnel agrees.

“This site demonstrates that every firm must consider its own circumstances, commercial objectives and social and environmental responsibility before deciding which interventions they will use to achieve more sustainable practices, products and ultimately business.”

“In recognition of the diversity of professional services firms, the aim of this website is to stimulate what will be a sometimes unpredictable dialogue around sustainability and to act as an aid for firms who are trying to identify and develop their own journey,” explained Arnel.

Visit thebusinessofsustainability.com.au for more information and to test the tool.