What does it imply to be a “good” enterprise? That was the query posed by entrepreneur and enterprise guru Jeannette Pearce MBE earlier than Deborah Meaden took the stage to debate inexperienced enterprise on the SME XPO in London. 

Profitability? Sustainability? For serial entrepreneur Pearce, it’s about giving as you’re taking. You might grow to be philanthropic for those who make it massive, however what’s to cease you giving as you develop? Doesn’t doing good make you good?  

“Discover your good,” she urged the group of small enterprise founders. No matter which may be.  

When Deborah Meaden stepped onto the stage, it was already clear what her “good” was. It’s what a founder hopes Meaden needs to listen to after they add, “Oh, and it’s environmentally pleasant” on the finish of their Dragon’s Den pitch – confirmed by a hopeful look from their co-founder.   

Deborah Meaden is famously very eco-conscious and, it seems, at all times has been. She wrote a thesis on local weather change at college. As the pinnacle of her vacation park enterprise early on in her profession, she erected an indication saying the grass wouldn’t be reduce however as an alternative be left for wildlife. It additionally saved her a upkeep invoice.  

“It was all towards the tide on the time, prospects didn’t care,” she acknowledged.  

However now, she mentioned, it’s the customers driving the change – and that it’s crucial to include “planet-positive” facets into your corporation. Protecting sustainability, internet zero and greenwashing, listed here are the important thing takeaways from the enterprise chief’s speak.  

‘Belief is a very powerful factor you’ve got in your corporation. That may be misplaced instantly and it takes a very long time to get that again once more.’ 

Deborah Meaden on the SME XPO in London

#1 – Don’t be tempted to greenwash 

Greenwashing is when a enterprise overeggs its inexperienced credentials, purely to reap the advertising and marketing advantages.  

“Greenwashing doesn’t work anymore,” Meaden mentioned. “In the event you do this, you’ll by no means get that belief again. 

“Enterprise has been an enormous driver to maneuver individuals in direction of a greener future. However customers lose religion due to greenwashing. 

“The very fact is, all companies are getting it incorrect,” she added. “The explanation individuals belief me and my companies is as a result of we’re sincere. Dock & Bay got here onto Dragon’s Den and have been utilizing micro fibre towels. They’re not good in any respect. Now, they use 100 per cent recycled plastic.” 

Dock & Bay presents quick-drying towels and swimming shorts constructed from recycled plastic bottles, attractive the dragon sufficient to take a position £75,000 for a ten per cent stake in 2017.  

“Belief is a very powerful factor you’ve got in your corporation,” she mentioned. “That may be misplaced instantly and it takes a very long time to get that again once more. 

“My recommendation is: resolve what you provide and ship it in an sincere method.”  

#2 – Give attention to biodiversity to internet zero  

The challenges posed by local weather change are effectively established, however the impact of biodiversity loss on enterprise is commonly ignored, regardless of half of world GDP being reasonably or extremely depending on nature.  

Modifications in biodiversity impacts provide chains, and new laws is on the horizon meaning organisations should be extra clear about environmental affect. This can imply firms should assess and disclose their dependencies and impacts on the surroundings.  

“Anybody specializing in internet zero is lacking the trick,” Meaden mentioned. “In the event you’re behind the tempo when the biodiversity-to-net zero tsunami hits, you’re in hassle. However for those who get it proper, you’ve got the vanguard as a result of not lots of people are.” 

Biodiversity safety and net-zero targets do go hand-in-hand. A 2021 examine from Pure England confirmed {that a} hectare of woodland absorbs as a lot carbon dioxide annually as 13 flights between London and Rome.  

The report discovered peatlands and pure woodlands are habitats which have the best capability to retailer carbon, whereas saltmarsh and sea grass meadows have a “vital position to play” in serving to the UK attain internet zero by 2050.  

Smaller actions companies can take embrace investing in pure capital tasks, reviewing buying habits and habitat restoration on website.  

“The planetary affect is the highest precedence happening on this planet proper now, however for those who get this proper, you’ll win towards your rivals.”  

#3 – reassess your provide chain  

“I additionally say take a look at your provide chain [to be planet-positive]. To do this, you could take a look at your contracts,” Meaden mentioned.  

“One software is The Chancery Lane Mission, which comes up with clauses to incorporate in your provide chain contracts.  

“The largest affect you may make is with provide chain since you’re additionally making an announcement to them.” 

There are numerous provide chain instruments and certifications out there to companies. Examples being Scope 3 from the Carbon Belief, which companions with establishments to pave their technique to internet zero, and the B Corp motion – a certification which demonstrates a enterprise is assembly excessive requirements of social and environmental efficiency.  

“But it surely’s not ok to only say you’re B Corp,” Meaden added. “Strong procurement processes are wanted. Search for instruments. There are entire organisations on the market.  

“Attain a good settlement and be ready to stroll along with your toes in the event that they don’t [fulfil environmental promises]. 

“It takes too lengthy for governments to set targets and targets,” she concluded. “You could inform customers what your sustainability means – there isn’t one definition for sustainability. In any other case, we’re coming into a world the place we’ll simply miss targets.” 

Extra on sustainability  

4 methods to embed sustainability into your start-up 

How microbusinesses take the primary steps towards sustainability