Companies should set an example for others in their industry by making a commitment to sustainability.

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They should also consider how well-placed their companies are to meet the challenge of creating sustainable operations.

That’s according to The Guardian‘s Kyle Whitaker, who claimed that only 24 per cent of sustainability experts believe that the worldwide sustainability agenda was advanced by corporate sources in 2010.

Whitaker responded to this, arguing: “While there’s a role for incremental change and progress, we need paradigm-shifting, game-changing advancements – driven by the business community – in order for society to thrive in this fast-paced, resourced constrained world.”

“And we need leaders with transformative vision to show us the way. The question is: who will answer the call?” The expert then suggested some ways in which companies could answer the call, as he put it.

Ways companies can “answer the call of sustainability”

Challenging the consumption of their operations, aiming for realistic yet ambitious goals and innovating through collaboration were all suggestions made by Whitaker for firms. Furthermore, companies could consider smaller things, such as the building cladding they use for their facilities, and whether or not it is as effective as it could be.

However some companies have been previously been hesitant to invest in sustainability due to the economic factors.

To ease their concerns, a representative of WalMart – Katherine Jennich – recently spoke out. She claimed on Stuff.nz that sustainability could be both rewarding on both an environmental and economic basis.

The expert argued: “The environmental dimension can enhance the economic dimensions – fatter profits, in company-speak,” perhaps prompting more companies to take the plunge and invest.