Implementing sustainability: Dosed and effective action

Sustainability is like a fitness program for your company. You want to stay fit and healthy – in other words: sustainable and competitive. But just like in sports, the journey can be long and exhausting, and it’s easy to lose motivation. That’s why it’s important to keep celebrating small, visible successes that motivate you to keep at it and keep going.

Many of you feel overwhelmed and ask yourselves: “Which measures really make a difference? Where is it worth the effort, and where is the benefit less than you think?” The key to successful, sustainable action lies in selecting the right “exercises” – in other words, measures that combine a high level of benefit with a reasonable level of effort. Just like training, it’s about finding the most effective methods and implementing them consistently. Here are some “training plans” that can help you achieve your sustainability goals efficiently and effectively.

Measures with high benefits and high costs

1. implement a sustainable supply chain:
Imagine you want to build muscle. It takes time, patience and heavy weights – just like switching to a sustainable supply chain. This measure requires a lot of effort, but the long-term benefits are enormous. Not only will you reduce your ecological footprint, but you will also strengthen your image and set yourself apart from the competition.

2. energy efficiency in production:
It’s like daily cardio training. It may be tedious, but the results are unmistakable. Optimizing production processes to be more energy efficient can be costly at first, but the long-term savings are significant. With modern technology and renewable energy, you not only reduce operating costs, but also make a major contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions.

3. switch to a circular economy:
Here we are talking about a complete change of diet. It requires a fundamental change in your business models, but it is incredibly effective. The circular economy saves resources, reduces waste and gives you an innovative competitive advantage – much like a balanced diet lays the foundation for a healthy life.

Measures with little benefit and little effort

1. energy-saving light bulbs and office efficiency:
Comparable to stretching in the morning – it’s easy and doesn’t take much time, but still brings benefits. Replacing light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs is a small step that requires little effort. The benefits are there, but they are rather small compared to larger measures. But as an introduction to sustainability, it shows that you are on the right track.

2. waste separation and recycling:
This is like the daily glass of water – necessary and easy to implement, but the contribution to overall fitness is limited. Better waste separation is easy to implement and is one of the classic measures. Even if the individual contribution is manageable, it still signals your commitment to sustainable action.

3. promoting working from home:
Think of it like going for a walk after dinner. It requires little effort, but has surprisingly positive effects. Working from home reduces commuter traffic and can be implemented at short notice. The effort is low, but the positive effects on the ecological footprint and employee satisfaction can be considerable.

Conclusion: The dose is the poison, balance is everything

As with training, not every exercise leads to the same result and not every exercise requires the same effort. The key is to set the right priorities. Start with the “workouts” that will bring the most benefit to your business and then take it one step at a time. Sustainability doesn’t have to be achieved overnight – but it will be all the more effective if you focus on the right things. And don’t forget: small, visible successes along the way will keep you motivated and ensure that you don’t lose your fun and energy.