Sustainability is a buzzword that has become increasingly important in recent years. It is no longer just a trend, but an essential part of the business strategy of many companies worldwide. But what does sustainability actually mean? And how can companies act sustainably? In this blog post we want to shed light on the various aspects of sustainability and particularly address the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda.
What Is Sustainability?
Sustainability is a concept that aims to meet the needs of the current generation without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a holistic approach that includes economic, social and environmental aspects. When it comes to companies, this means that they should not only be economically successful, but also take social responsibility and respect the environment.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability refers to a company’s responsibility towards people, both inside and outside the company. This includes fair working conditions, equal opportunities, health and safety at work, diversity and inclusion, educational assistance and much more. A sustainable company is committed to the well-being of its employees and communities.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability refers to a company’s responsibility towards the environment and natural resources. This includes measures to reduce the ecological footprint, efficient use of resources, waste reduction, renewable energy, sustainable procurement and environmentally friendly production processes. Companies must strive to implement environmentally friendly practices to minimize negative impacts on the environment.
Economic Sustainability
Economic sustainability refers to a company remaining profitable and successful in the long term. It is about ensuring economic stability and profitability in order to be able to finance the goals of social and environmental sustainability in the long term. A sustainable company should act in an economically responsible manner, invest in sustainable practices and strive for long-term value creation.
The 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda
The 2030 Agenda, also known as the “Agenda for Sustainable Development”, was launched by the United Nations to create a sustainable future. It includes 17 goals to be achieved by 2030. These goals range from eliminating poverty and hunger to promoting health and education, protecting the environment and promoting prosperity for all.
Companies play a crucial role in achieving these goals. They can have a significant positive impact on society and the environment through their processes, investments and innovations.
Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
How MTI Found Sustainability: An Inspiring Journey
Sustainability is not just a goal, but a journey characterized by commitment, determination and constant development. The road taken by MTI in order to anchor sustainability as a core corporate value.
Our Beginnings
Our journey began a few years ago in the workshop for the joint development of the MTI values. We realized then that it was time to consider sustainability not just as a buzzword, but as an integral part of its business strategy. The vision was clear: to become a sustainable company that not only strives for economic success, but also assumes social responsibility and protects the environment. The fact that we are not alone in our conviction became clear when a well-known, internationally active company in the pharmaceutical industry required its suppliers to have sustainability certification in order to cooperate.
The Path to EcoVadis Certification
A crucial milestone was certification from EcoVadis, a renowned company for sustainability assessments. It was a move that underlined MTI’s seriousness and commitment to sustainability and was (and still is) of enormous importance.
Our first certification did not produce the desired results. Rather, it was sobering and an important wake-up call that clearly identified areas of action. It required just some fine-tuning.
Identification of Areas of Action and the Improvement Journey
The identified areas of action became a clear roadmap for the necessary changes. The improvement measures were initiated and implemented with consistent determination. The employees contributed with full commitment to collecting insightful data and implementing measures.
The entire process took over 250 hours of work and was largely led by Natalie, our dedicated trainee. She has been a driving force behind the progress MTI has made towards sustainability.
New Certification and the Silver Medal 2023
The hard work paid off. MTI has once again been certified by EcoVadis, and this time with an impressive result. The commitment, implementation of the improvement measures and continuous efforts of the entire team were rewarded. MTI obtained the Silver Medal 2023 recognition from EcoVadis.
Sustainability as an Integral Part of MTI
Today we can proudly say that sustainability has become an integral part of the corporate culture. It is not just a goal, but a daily commitment that is reflected in the company’s processes, products and decisions.
We learned a lot from this journey and look forward to sharing these experiences and insights and supporting other companies on their own sustainability journey.
Conclusion
Sustainability is no longer an option, but a necessity for companies. It requires rethinking of business practices to integrate not only economic success, but also social responsibility and environmental awareness. The 2030 Agenda provides a clear roadmap for companies to have a positive impact on the world and create a sustainable future for all. Companies must actively support these goals and integrate them into their business strategies in order to make a significant contribution to sustainable development.
Press contact
Daniela Seemann
CEO
E-Mail: marketing@mwteam.com
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