3 tips to increase social sustainability

Anna Simmons has a degree in business administration and environmental science from the Gothenburg School of Economics and was named one of 33 sustainability talents under 33 by Aktuell Hållbarhet in 2019. Today, she works as a project manager at the association CSR Västsverige, a sustainability network that supports businesses in developing their strategic sustainability work. Here are her top tips for using social sustainability as a lever for growth:

1. understand your context! 

For businesses to create win-win for their own business and for society at large, they need to understand where they are and where they operate. One way is to work with your value chain and consider the impact of the various stakeholders on your business, but also on your impact on the surrounding society, not least in your delivery to customers and end users.  

2. learn more about the benefits of diversity and equality! 

Act on the facts. Learning about and understanding the benefits and difficulties of social issues such as diversity and gender equality can help your business choose new ways forward and develop. 

3. Find new partnerships! 

There are plenty of experts on social sustainability issues, such as non-profit organizations, who want to collaborate in different ways to create a better society together with the business community. When looking for collaborations, make sure that it both strengthens your business and benefits society. This is often a good basis for long-term partnerships.