By Henry Kazula,
Author: Mtazamo Wako Ni Upi?
Trainer, Author, Mentor, Green/Sustainable
Business consultant,
CEO Jielimishe Kwanza
Co.Ltd
E-mail: jielimishekwanza@gmail.com
Mob: +255 754 572 143
Our planet-earth is facing number of unprecedented environmental challenges-scientifically diagnosed as “global sickness” resulted from environmental degradation grounded from human activities for self-interest to profit making in business setting. Tanzania among the other developing countries in making every effort to alleviate poverty is at higher risks in facing the negative impacts from various forms of environmental degradation; as there is a close relationship between poverty and environmental degradation. In seeking a daily bread to call a day, most people in developing countries find immediate resources from common pool resources-“natural capital” as initial investment capital to start small businesses (i.e. unsustainable charcoal making, unsustainable agriculture, unsustainable fishing etc.). Whereas the giant businesses keep on embracing unsustainable production of goods and services while the consumers keep on purchasing unsustainable goods and services with a myths of living a modern lifestyle, that, all inclusively create grave environmental impacts to our planet.
Energetically influencing the community
to turn around their mode of production and consumption from individual/business/
organizational practices to more sustainable, I cannot underestimate a
collective thinking of pioneers in business, government and civil society on
the concept
of sustainable development, simply defined in the ‘Brundtland Commission’ report of 1987 of the UN as the “development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.” Sustainable development concept and its principle application have
been in use for about three decades now as a means of our time to harmonize both
development activities (i.e. human consumption and production) and available
natural resources as “natural capital.” Also, the concept is a guiding
principle to a newly established UN Global goals- Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs by
2030).
'Natural
capital' as adopted from Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
(CISL) published report of 2015 -“Doing
business with nature” by the Natural Capital Leaders Platform, it is
an economic characterisation of the limited stocks of physical and biological
resources found on Earth. It refers to the limited capacity of ecosystems to
provide services (i.e. the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to
human well-being). With a major intention to grow businesses that last in
response to social, environmental and economic interests; business owners,
managers and other key stakeholders shouldn’t ignore the principle application
of sustainable production and consumption of goods and services from “natural
capital” for Green growth.
“Doing
business with nature” a report of 2015 revealed that the current
human consumption to “natural capital” is facing the three major challenges
fixed to biodiversity loss and
ecosystem degradation, overexploitation
of water resource (1/5
of world’s aquifers are being overexploited) and degradation and eroded of arable land
(10million hectares of arable land being
degraded and eroded every year-Global scale). The identified challenges affect
all of us in various aspects as fixed to consumption and production of goods
and services. In business setting, businesses operating in a context of
“business as usual”, have to think smart and differently to address the
existing environmental challenges while creating both social and environmental
value.
I’m writing this article specifically to
challenge “business as usual” and status quo while opening a chat with
stakeholders and invite businesses to reflect upon their business model and
strategy in relying to “natural capital” for Sustainable development. It’s all
about making a “waking-up call” and encourage business owners and those who
want to set up new business on judging business strategies to balance or
minimize their ecological footprint-the
human demand on the planet’s ability to provide renewable resources and
ecological services” at the same time create more business value.
In agreement with global community and environmental activists with Green growth programs, I keep on arguing against all human activities leading to climate change impacts, unprecedented environmental pollution (solid waste, air and water pollution, soil and natural resources degradation). Consequently, I argue venturing in “Green/Sustainable business”-among Green growth programs as a powerful tool accepted by Environmental activists globally to rescue our Planet from the impacts of human activities resulted from conducting “business as usual”.
As a matter of assisting understanding, “Green/
Sustainable business” refers to a model of conducting business as “business as
unusual” to reduce or overcome the negative impacts to the environmental, the
community, society or economy at global or local level while creating more
value and reputation for sustainable development. It’s an enterprise that heeds
the interest of Planet, People and Profit i.e. triple bottom line.
A response
to “business as usual” as glued to business mindset and status quo in business
setting, “Jielimishe
Kwanza”-“Educate Yourself First”, a training and a consultancy company in
Tanzania with a team of experienced staff members in sustainability issues and
business development find a worthwhile opportunity in developing human capacity
at global and individual levels by assisting the business owners,
managers/CEOs, young entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs explore new concepts/ideas
/business opportunities and share insight with practical skills to embrace Green
growth programs and sustainably investing from “natural capital” to reinvent
business model and establish innovative Green/Sustainable businesses.
“Jielimishe
Kwanza”-“Educate Yourself First” with our programs-“Go-Green-Tanzania”
and “Social
& Environmental Entrepreneurship in Tanzania” (SEE-Tanzania)
and outstanding Short training courses and seminars on “Building Green
Business” (BGB), “Green Team Building”(GTB), Sustainable/Social/Environmental
Entrepreneurship and consultancy services for Green Growth, advocates the shared
social and environmental values for the sake of minimizing operational costs,
minimizing environmental impacts and maximize profit i.e. addressing issues
related to sustainable development – Economic Prosperity, Environmental
Protection and Social Justice in their local communities innovatively and creatively
in business and managerial setting.
Regularly speaking with the public via Radio and training programs,
public events, and business forums, I strictly insist that; “success in business is not relying on
building number of different businesses, it’s about doing business differently
in a smart approach while taking a forefront interest of the Planet-Earth and
the Market (People) at the same time maximizing profit.” It’s about encouraging
the public to set up business that can address environmental challenges of our
time while creating social, economic and environmental value.
Likewise, it must be taken into account that, any success in
business involves wheeling together with changing time while creating more
value to value chain. Entrepreneurs, Business owners and Start-up Companies
have to “turn a blind eye to” business mentality of believing on
conducting “business as usual” for economic growth i.e. running a business with a central and selfish interest on
accumulating profits regardless of any serious environmental destruction with
unsustainable production of goods and services and negative human health impacts.
Keeping on embracing
“business as usual” will make all of us and the future generation fall short of
ecosystem services to support human life; meaning that the world will not be a
better place to live for all.
Unavoidably, all
stakeholders in collective action have to take into account the prime interest
of protecting natural resources as referred to as “natural capital” followed by
human development and economic gain. Let’s join our efforts and change our
attitude to set up “Green/Sustainable business” to rescue existing situation
before it’s too late!
Published by Jielimishe Kwanza
Sponsored by:
|
Swahili translator
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Set up Green/Sustainable business: Business as unusual for Sustainable development
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment