This cheat sheet provides a comprehensive guide to creating a sustainability plan brief for your environmental consultant.
Awarding this work to an expert environmental consultant will provide your business with a detailed costed sustainability plan for your business to implement over many years. A sustainability plan helps businesses minimize their environmental impact while ensuring long-term growth and profitability.
In many sectors businesses need to provide evidence of their sustainability credentials before they can win contracts, so to be able to supply details of your company’s sustainability plan can mean the difference between winning work and not being elligible.
We recommend that This guide is designed to help you convey your needs clearly and ensure that your consultant understands the sustainability goals for your business.
1. Overview of Business Goals
Start by outlining the primary goals of your business. This section should cover:
- Core Business Objectives: Highlight key financial, operational, or expansion goals.
- Vision & Mission: Describe the mission of your business and how sustainability aligns with your company’s vision.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define any measurable goals you would like to see included (e.g., reduce carbon emissions by 25% in 3 years).
- Set a Period: All sustainability plans are designed to achieve the chosen goals to a timetable such as achieving net zero by 2050. Tell your consultant the period that will apply.
- Set a Target: Propose an aspirational target while recognising that cost and practicality issues may, when identified while the consultant is preparing the plan, later modify the target. Sustainability plans can be unrealistic if they start by cherry-picking all the easy gains in the first few years. Guard against unrealistic targets when things get harder achieving year-on-year emissions reduction targets after the first few years of a plan.
2. Sustainability Objectives
Specify the sustainability objectives for your business. These can include:
- Environmental Impact: Reduction of carbon footprint, waste management, resource efficiency.
- Social Responsibility: Fair labor practices, community engagement, health and safety.
- Economic Viability: Ensure that sustainability measures are cost-effective and contribute to long-term profitability.
3. Assessment of Current Sustainability Practices
Provide a snapshot of where the company currently stands regarding sustainability:
- Energy Use: Current energy consumption and sources (e.g., renewable vs. non-renewable).
- Waste Management: Current waste disposal methods, recycling practices, and areas of improvement.
- Supply Chain Sustainability: Explain your supply chain to help the consultant understand the work he/she will need to evaluate the environmental impact of your supply chain.
4. Expected Deliverables
Outline what you expect from the consultant in terms of deliverables:
- Environmental Audit: A detailed review of the current environmental impact of the business.
- Sustainability Strategy: A proposed strategy for improving sustainability based on the audit results.
- Actionable Roadmap: Specific steps for implementing the sustainability strategy, including timelines and budgets.
- Monitoring Plan: A plan for tracking progress on sustainability goals using relevant KPIs.
5. Timeline and Budget
Ensure that you provide the consultant with a clear timeline and budget:
- Timeline: Set realistic deadlines for the consultant to deliver audits, strategies, and reports.
- Budget: Allocate a budget for the consultancy and the implementation of sustainability measures.
6. Stakeholders Involved
List the key stakeholders who will be involved in the sustainability plan, such as:
- Internal team members (e.g., management, operations, human resources).
- External partners (e.g., suppliers, vendors, contractors).
- Community stakeholders (e.g., local government, NGOs).
7. Compliance and Certification
Mention any relevant sustainability certifications or regulations your business must comply with:
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems).
- LEED certification for sustainable buildings.
- Local and national environmental laws.
8. Resources for Consultants
Provide links to helpful resources for consultants working on the sustainability plan:
9. Additional Tips
Some additional tips to make your sustainability brief more effective:
- Use clear, concise language to communicate your goals and expectations.
- Incorporate visuals like charts or infographics if necessary.
- Request periodic updates and reviews to ensure the plan remains on track.