Written by Steve Nicholson
Nowhere is collaboration more important than in meeting the needs and challenges of the environment. There are many natural resources readily available for us to use, although, with this comes the responsibility of ensuring they are maintained. Managing them is the responsibility of all society’s businesses, towns and countries, and for that to happen we need collaboration.
Today, increasing pressure is being placed on businesses to do their bit for the environment and society. As a result, organisations are now banding together to take on the challenge of sustainability to reduce their environmental footprint.
In business, collaboration is vital on so many levels. Internally it helps develop productive and respectful workplace relationships. As people work together they appreciate each other’s skills more and celebrate the successes they achieve as a team.
Companies that work in multiple countries must build this collaboration across many languages and cultures. With good management practices and effective communication, everyone can work towards a common goal.
We know how effective partnerships can be in tackling what some might see as unmanageable problems, to bring to light potentially unimagined solutions.
Every industry has challenges so big they cannot be solved by one business alone but by a multitude of partners and organisations – who respect each other and collaborate with positivity and belief that the end goal is achievable.
It is becoming more and more common for businesses to collaborate to reach a common sustainable goal. For example, the Australian Forest Products Association, which have collaborated with thirteen hubs around Australia to reach its goal of one billion new plantation trees by 2030. Addressing forest protection and restoration is everyone’s responsibility. We, the world community, should not only use the resources provided for us, we also have a responsibility to protect, nurture and restore the parts that we have taken.
On the other hand, P&G in partnership with Coca-Cola, Heinz, Ford and Nike have created the Plant PET Technology Collaborative (PTC), focused on developing and using 100 per cent plant-based PET materials and fibre in their products in an aim to reduce fossil fuels which have a large impact on the planet’s biodiversity and climate.
It is important to remember that whilst collaboration may not seem to change the world, it has changed something. Whether that be the way some part of the system works and delivers outcomes, if it is in a positive way, it is still a change in the right direction.
[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/creating-partnerships-for-sustainability
1 Comment