Environmental
Environmental factors are becoming much more important to businesses. Concerns about climate change as well as the use of plastics and palm oil are some of the issues that consumers are concerned about when purchasing goods.
Here are some environmental concerns:
Carbon emissions
Carbon dioxide is produced when burning fossil fuels, e.g., burning coal to make electricity, using kerosene to power a jet engine or the use of diesel to power an HGV lorry. During combustion carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. As carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, the carbon dioxide is trapped in the lower layers of the atmosphere. This in turn leads to global warming, which is one of the factors responsible for climate change. Scientists say that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere needs to be reduced in order to avoid a climate disaster.
Waste
Our modern way of life creates waste. For example, an estimated 15 million tonnes of food are wasted in the United Kingdom annually. This food waste comes from individuals and families as well as restaurants, schools, hospitals, food shops etc.
Recycling
One of the ways to avoid storing rubbish until it rots is to recycle it – i.e., change it back into the same or another product. You are no doubt familiar with recycling in your home as over 95% of people in Wales say they recycle regularly. Businesses are also having to consider how to go about reducing their waste. There are businesses that have based their entire business model on recycled goods e.g. Second-life Products Wales produces benches, rubbish bins and other goods out of recycled plastic.
Pollution
Pollution is often created as a by-product during the production of goods and services. It includes air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution. Pollution has a negative impact on the health of the environment and the people who live within that environment, so businesses are required to reduce pollution as much as possible and the UK Government limits the amount of pollution businesses can emit.