From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: How to Maintain Environmental Standards for Optimal Sustainability

Although some schools of business thought see environmental standards as a burden, used properly to achieve optimal sustainability, they can help a business continue on a profitable road indefinitely. That’s because the sustainable choice ensures the business continually has the needed amount of natural resources.

Sustainability
Sustainability meets the needs of society rather than promoting growth or a preferred consumer consumption level. Johann Dreo defines sustainable actions as socially and economically equitable, socially and environmentally bearable, and environmentally and economically viable. So, finding the point of optimal sustainability and withdrawing or producing at this rate results in the largest economic yield of a renewable resource over time without decreasing future populations’ consumption at the same level. It’s economy meets ecology – where the rate of withdrawal or production protects the environment while ensuring the business can indefinitely produce the optimal amount.

Meeting Standards
Each organization must meet federal, state and local environmental standards. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgates federal regulations and sets design and performance standards. It provides programs to help companies and individuals meet standards, holds them accountable for violations, and administers compliance monitoring. Each state also has an environmental agency that administers additional standards. Many organizations also choose to utilize the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Within an organization, the administrator of environmental standards and compliance checks usually holds a civil engineering master’s degree. Civil engineers receive training in construction, environmental hazards, and regulatory compliance, among other topics, such as transitioning from ISO 14001 2004 to the current ISO 14001 2015.

Exceeding Standards
In some cases, it is advantageous for a business to voluntarily exceed minimum environmental standards. For instance, an organization could qualify for carbon credits which they could then trade, sell, or use to increase production in one area beyond the optimal sustainable point, but without creating additional environmental damage. Technology improvements could also increase production while reducing environmental impact. The organization’s civil engineer can calculate the point of optimal sustainability and help uncover areas where exceeding standards can save or make the organization more money.

Your business can easily maintain and exceed environmental standards using the EPA’s compliance tools and resources, and the ISO 14001 2015 guide. The organization reaps multiple benefits by extending the time period of resource availability, and identifying and leveraging options that save or make money, such as carbon trading.