There’s Nothing Sustainable About Businesses That Are Talk And No Action

Julie Starr • June 1, 2021



With large corporations some of the worst offenders for environmental crimes, sustainability is, quite rightly, becoming a pressing business concern for as many as 62% of executives . This sounds like great news until you consider that a mere 25% incorporate sustainability into their overall business models. 

This is what’s known in the industry as the ‘knowing-doing gap,’ and it’s a driving force for ongoing negative best practices with regard to corporate environmental concerns. More worrying, perhaps, is the fact that upfront sustainable understanding can confuse consumers into believing that companies are doing more than they actually are. From a business standpoint, this might seem better than the reality of inaction that’s the alternative, but misinformation or false representation can have severe repercussions, especially with regards to such a volatile topic.

To prove that point, we’re going to consider just three of the ways that failing to back up talk of sustainability with verifiable action could ultimately damage your company’s bottom line. 

# 1 – The risk of reputational damage

With 83% of eco-conscious millennials claiming that they prefer to shop with brands that share their values, the benefits of talking about sustainability are plain to see. However, if you don’t back those values with action or, worse, if you continue environmentally damaging processes behind the scenes, then the reputational damage you’ll suffer will be worse than any potential benefits. This is why companies that push the sustainability narrative need to ensure that they’re at least taking steps to improve damaging processes, driving the positive change that is always going to outweigh anything you can say about sustainability. 

# 2 – Failure to complete

More companies than ever, including top names like Nike, Pepsi, etc., are taking steps towards a more sustainable future by implementing key improvements such as sustainable packaging , reduced waste, and recycling drives. As such, merely talking about sustainability is no longer enough to keep modern consumers onside. Instead, a company looking to compete not only needs to spread a positive sustainability message but also needs to ensure that they’re taking steps to at least stay in line with the sustainability best practices of the moment. Only then can they guarantee that modern consumers keep looking their way.

# 3 – Falling foul to non-compliance

As pushes for sustainability increase, this becomes more than just a consumer concern, with many local councils now implementing stringent sustainability regulations regarding waste management, pollution, etc., especially at a corporate level. As such, consumers aside, talk without action here could leave you in severe legal trouble. This could lead to closure or heavy fines, and action against you as a result of this discrepancy will most certainly stop customers from coming to your doors moving forward. By taking the time to build a sustainable business model that adheres to local regulations, companies not only ensure good legal standing within their communities but should also find that they automatically start to back their talk about sustainability with positive changes that their consumers can actually see. 

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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