In this course, you will get to understand what sustainable business practices are, and how small firms can adopt them.
We will also share with you the main challenges small firms face in the implementation of sustainable practices.

So, what are sustainable business practices? Or what are Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
You surely would have come across words and terms like these in your business or professional lives. Sustainable business practices have been an increasing focus over the last 15 to 20 years.

The United Nations called upon countries and governments to take upon the 17 Sustainable development goals, or the SDGs, covering different aspects of developmental issues the world we live in faces. From poverty, to hunger, to climate change, to life on land and below water, there is so much businesses can do to make the world a slightly better place to live in.  

Every business can do something that contributes positively to society;  that includes cleaner air, rivers, oceans, better off communities, healthier natural environments etc.

Business possess human resources, financial resources and technologies. To say a business can do little to benefit societies and nature, is a very wasted statement.

A food delivery company delivering free food to low income households, a clothing company using fabric that produces less polluting chemicals, a computer company donating second hand or used computers to a village school,
Or, a travel company specialising in trekking hiring unemployed rural women and equipping them with trekking and guiding skills to take on tours.
These are just a few examples of CSR practices/initiatives companies can adopt.

Watch this clip, to have an understanding of CSR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5KZhm19EO0

So, sustainability is multidimensional; it is not just about the environment. It is about people, as well as their daily living and cultures. Sustainable development, a term that has become very often used, is now related to the many big and small actions taken towards improving peoples' lives and our world at the same time.


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