Impact of Sustainability on Business: A Detailed Report

This report delves into the critical aspects of sustainability within a business context, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and code of conduct in addressing environmental challenges. The report begins by defining sustainability and its relevance to business operations, highlighting issues such as climate change and pollution. It examines how companies like Bentley Motors are adopting sustainable practices, while also acknowledging the challenges associated with these implementations, such as the use of non-renewable resources in electric vehicle batteries. The report then explores the role of code of conduct in redressing sustainability issues, referencing UK government policies that promote sustainable development and hold businesses accountable for environmental harm. It also discusses the guidance provided by professional bodies like DEFRA and the Environmental Agency, which offer regulations and training to support sustainable practices. Furthermore, the report includes a CPD plan, outlining areas of learning and future implications for personal and professional development in the field of sustainability.

Preparing for a
Professional Career

Contents
PART A INDIVIDUAL REPORT .................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
Introduction of the ethical issue ..................................................................................................1
Explaining the code of conduct which assist in redressing the sustainability issues ..................2
Discussion of guidance received from relevant professional bodies ..........................................2
Concluding an assessment impacting code of conduct that has on the issue...............................3
CONCLSUION ...............................................................................................................................3
PART B - CPD Plan .......................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................6

PART A INDIVIDUAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION
Sustainability in business parlance refers to performing business operations without
impacting environment or community in a negative manner (Cavaleri and Shabana, 2018). It is
considered for businesses to adopt sustainable practices as it essentially make significant
contributions to the health in regards with the structure whereby it operates in order to create a
thriving business environment. This project report highlights an understanding of issue of
sustainability as well as code of conduct or rules which can aid in resolving the challenge. It also
demonstrates an understanding on how professional bodies aid individuals in gaining insights
regarding chosen ethical issue. This project report also encompasses of CPD plan which help
learners to make plans in relations with their future preferences.
MAIN BODY
Introduction of the ethical issue
Sustainability in the context of business can be understood as making decisions which do
not have any negative consequences in regards to present or future generations (Hedstrom, 2018)
(Rana, 2019). In business, they are related with climate change, air pollution, deforestation,
disposal of industry effluents and many more. In order to curb the issues in regards with
maintaining sustainability issues while performing operations, organisations need to encourage
volunteerism, make improvisations in their supply chain and educate their employees in a
strategic manner.
Companies like Bentley Motors are committed to adopt practices which promotes
diversity, inclusivity and sustainability in their business operations while providing luxury
products to their customers. Managers at Bentley Motors are repriortising the model plan in
order to accelerate their journey in relation with electrification regarding electric and hybrid
luxury cars. They are also committed to make their operations carbon neutral.
However, execution of this plans for adopting sustainability are time-consuming and
incurs significant investment. Managers of Bentley are planing to bring hybrid and electrical cars
in market which led in curbing carbon emission. Batteries which are used in these cars are made
up of lithium which are non-renewable resource and needs a lot of mining which can disturb the
sustainability in business operations.
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Explaining the code of conduct which assist in redressing the sustainability issues
Code of conduct can be understood as rules and policies that are need to be followed by
business organisations in order to operate their activities smoothly without any legal
interferences (Rendtorff, 2019). This formulated code of conduct is ought to be followed by
employees as well as external third parties which make any interaction with the the
establishment.
In order to address the sustainable issues regarding the mining of lithium, UK
government has implemented a policy statement which essentially embedded protections as well
as enhancement in regards with government. Under this, business organisations are compelled to
adopt sustainable development while supporting innovative practices in an efficient manner. This
policy also makes ministers responsible to aim to prevent environmental harm. As per this code
of conduct, business organisations who do not follow the sustainable practices while operating
their operations have to mitigate that or pay compensation. Precautionary principle suggests that
companies like Bentley ought to adopt cost-effective methods in order to prevent environmental
degradations which they are facing doing regarding mining of lithium. It has been laid down in
this policy statement that rectification regarding environmental damage should be given priority
by organisations which led them to ensure adoption of sustainable operations.
Discussion of guidance received from relevant professional bodies
DEFRA (Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs) which is a government
department in UK is responsible for making policies regarding adaptability of sustainable
practices of business organisations in a strategic manner. This department is considered as
responsible for conserving biodiversity as well as marine environment. DEFRA support
government departments in relation to understanding and application of the requirements
regarding policy making (Rossi and Et. Al., 2020). They provide sessions regarding workshops
and training in relation to environmental degradation.
Apart from this, Environmental Agency refers to principal regulator which accelerate
matters related to environment in a strategic manner. It made significant regulations regarding
regulating industry effluents, treatment of contaminated land, conservation, sustainable practices
across business organisations and many more. Their priorities are to work with establishments in
order to manage and use the resources in an effective manner. They work as a regulator for
protecting the environment as well as support sustainable growth practices.
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Organisations like Bentley Motors have to make compliance with these professional bodies in
order to adopt sustainable practices in a strategic manner. Compliance with these professional
bodies led them to fulfil corporate social responsibilities as well as avoiding expansive litigations
(Singh and Vinodh, 2017). It is imperative for managers of Bentley Motors to make significant
compliance with environmental protection in order to adopt alternatives for lithium in their
hybrid cars.
Concluding an assessment impacting code of conduct that has on the issue
It has been assessed that managers of Bentley Motors are aware of their responsibilities
regarding economic, social as well as ecological impact of their operations on society. They
follow the guidelines regarding sustainable practices framed by Environmental Agency as well
as DEFRA which laid them to maintain their viability and goodwill in market. This has also
delves them in avoiding potential areas related to risk and conflicts in an effective manner.
Failure of making compliance with formulated code of conduct can hamper their position
in front of their stakeholders, shareholders and employees in a considerable manner (Schaltegger
and Wagner, 2017). They essentially focus on adopting environmental friendly ways as well as
efficient technologies in order to implement sustainable practices in an effective manner. They
ensure that their operations should have a little impact on environment. They make effective
compliance with the rules and regulations framed by government regarding conserving
environment. Their mission is to be a leader on a global scale adapting to sustainable practices as
well as individual mobility.
CONCLSUION
From the above mentioned information, it has been concluded that sustainable practices are
imperative for any business organisation as it provides them viability. It is desirable for
establishments to follow the rules and regulations regarding sustainable practices in an effective
manner which led them to make their brand viable in a strategic manner. Non-compliance of the
legislations supported with sustainable practices can hamper the brand as well as viability of the
brand in a significant manner. Various professional bodies are formed by government which
comprises of Environmental Agency and DEFRA which formulate the legislations in regards
with conserving issues related to environment in a significant manner. It is imperative for
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business organisations to make a strict compliance with framed legislations in order to avoid any
expensive litigation in future strategically.
PART B - CPD Plan
Following is the CPD plan which help individuals in making effective plans for future in a
strategic manner.
CPD Plan
Area of learning Reflection of learning Future Implications Action
Purpose of
sustainability
Prior attending this
module, I have some
knowledge regarding
sustainable practices
but this has increased
my insights in relation
to substantiality. I got
to learn that purpose is
substantiality practices
in organisations is to
work for society.
Knowledge regarding
adoption of sustainable
practices in business
organisations will help
me in securing in
applying those in
activities like an
employee.
I will join an
organisation which
essentially follow
applications of
sustainable
development.
Importance of
sustainability
When I have attended
this module, I do not
have knowledge about
significance of
sustainable practices in
business operations.
After attending this I
have gin insights that
it is very important
aspect as through this,
businesses
organisation make
Knowledge in relation
to significance of
sustainable practices
will aid me in
following the orders of
my superiors in
relation to applying
sustainability.
My target is to secure
a job after completion
of my graduation in a
company which
follows sustainable
practices.
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their position viable.
Purpose of code of
conduct
I do not enough
knowledge regarding
purpose of code of
conduct in relation to
business organisations.
After attending this
module, I have learnt
that this basic policy
rules are necessary to
be complied by
establishments for
their successful
working.
Code of conduct aid
me in having insights
regarding formulated
rules and regulations
which are needed to be
complied by me as an
employees.
My objective is to
apply code of conduct
at my employability in
order to enhance
productivity of peers.
Impact of
sustainability on
business
Prior to attend this
module, I do not have
understanding about
the impact of
sustainability on
business practices.
However, I get to learn
about it after joining
their module and how
much it is significant
for enhancing bottom
line of business
practices.
Information regarding
impact of
sustainability will help
me in working in a
business environment
which follows
corporate governance
in an effective manner.
My objective is to
understand the impact
of sustainability in
business organisation
in order to secure a
better position and
apply that for gaining
viability in an
effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Cavaleri, S. and Shabana, K., 2018. Rethinking sustainability strategies. Journal of Strategy and
Management.
Hedstrom, G.S., 2018. Sustainability: What it is and how to Measure it. Walter de Gruyter
GmbH & Co KG.
Rana, S., 2019. Sustainability in business: Some research perspectives. FIIB Business
review. 8(2). pp.77-78.
Rendtorff, J. D., 2019. Philosophy of management and sustainability: Rethinking business ethics
and social responsibility in sustainable development. Emerald Group Publishing.
Rossi, E. and Et. Al., 2020. Circular economy indicators for organizations considering
sustainability and business models: Plastic, textile and electro-electronic cases. Journal of
Cleaner Production. 247, p.119137.
Schaltegger, S. and Wagner, M. eds., 2017. Managing the business case for sustainability: The
integration of social, environmental and economic performance. Routledge.
Singh, A. K. and Vinodh, S., 2017. Modeling and performance evaluation of agility coupled with
sustainability for business planning. Journal of Management Development.
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