Sustainability is now an essential consideration for all businesses, organisations and community groups. One of your first steps in improving your organisations sustainability should be the development of a Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan to drive progress within your organisation, and clearly demonstrate to stakeholders, clients and customers, that you are committed to taking action on the climate crisis and broader sustainability issues.
A sustainability strategy and action plan is a statement of what you want to achieve and how you plan to do it. It should outline your current performance and future goals in all areas of sustainability and climate action and guide your future response to the climate and ecological emergency, while having the added co-benefits of future proofing your products and services, increasing your efficiency, building a competitive advantage, reducing risk, enabling monitoring and reporting and communicating your ESG ambitions.
SNI can support development of a comprehensive and robust Sustainability Strategy which will provide your organisation with an Action Plan for improving your environmental and social performance. This support is tailored to your organisations needs and capacity.
This service is for any business, organisation or community group who want to create a strategy or action plan to help people live and work more sustainably. Support will be tailored to your specific circumstances, but typically can involve:
- Workshops to engage with key staff and stakeholders and ensure your strategy is realistic, achievable and meets your needs. Workshops are designed to empower organisations of any size to make sustainable business models a reality.
- Guidance in measuring your existing environmental impact, including carbon footprint, energy usage and water usage.
- Training of key staff to support the development of a Green Team, to ensure the Strategy stays on track and the organisation is accountable.
- Drafting of a strategy document including suggested timelines, KPIs and a full action plan.
- Assistance in aligning your internal targets with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
If your organisation is ready to take the next step on your sustainability journey and would like more information about this or our other business support services, please contact admin@sustainableni.org.
Testimonials
“When developing our very first Sustainability Strategy, the advice and expertise provided by Sustainable NI was invaluable. Claire educated us on relevant international, national, and local policies and agreements; and guided us in the development of our own sustainability vision, drivers, targets and actions. There is no doubt that our strategy is more informed and meaningful as a result.”
Barry Kerr
Director of Development, Apex Housing Association
“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has benefited greatly from the support, advice and guidance provided by Sustainable NI in developing our first Climate and Sustainability Action Plan. Their expertise in this area, coupled with their experience having worked with other NI Councils has helped to inform strategic thinking, decision making and development of the Plan. Specific advice provided included setting the timeframe of the plan, considering various climate projection scenarios and associated Council and borough impacts. Being such an prioritised agenda item, Sustainable NI have really helped us to translate regional legislative requirements into practical on the ground action.”
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
"The Housing Executive commissioned Sustainable NI to provide guidance and a peer review of our Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027.
The diligence and support from Sustainable NI were to a very high standard, and they provided expert guidance from the outset. Their currency is a deep understanding of the international, national and local aspects of delivering a sustainable future. Indeed they employ staff from across Europe and more locally, which ensures their advice is well benchmarked across EU regions as well as from a local viewpoint.
Across NI, they have been instrumental in supporting local authorities in the development of policies and strategies for sustainability, and this experience ensured this is a first rate service."
Northern Ireland Housing Executive