These days opportunities abound for businesses that can capture consumers’ growing eco-consciousness, writes Green-chip businesses
BEING seen to be green is increasingly a competitive advantage for any business, and Kiwi companies are thriving on their ingenuity. Last year’s Sustainable Business Awards winners included biodegradable funeral casket company Return to Sender, and Raw Essentials, which makes raw pet food using ‘‘pest’’ ingredients such as rabbits. The winners of this year’s awards will be revealed later this month, and the longlist shows an equal amount of creativity.
‘‘The globe is grappling with the same social, environmental and resource issues – so if we can solve them here in New Zealand, we can solve them for the planet. The opportunities are huge,’’ Sustainable Business Network chief executive Rachel Brown says.
‘‘We are seeing a serious rethink of business as we come out of the financial ‘crisis’ – the new and emerging economy has set some new parameters for business, which include issues like resource scarcity, climate change, the massive conflicts between rich and poor, increasing awareness and growing discontent from individuals, community organisations and NGOs.’’
Responding to these issues by rethinking business models, products and services is thought of ‘‘as just good business’’ by the savvy business person, Ms Brown says.
But anyone looking to launch an environmentally friendly business or transform an existing one needs to do their homework.
‘‘Understand the needs before you get cracking with setting your business up. I would look hard at trends – the voice of NGOs often leads community change. Understand issues with emerging regulations, resource scarcity and so on – these are critical in developing lasting business models.’’
There are still many untapped avenues for new ventures, or for the overhaul of your traditionally run business into a sustainable one.