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Beyond the Electric Car: Why Sustainability Is the Best Business Decision You’ll Make

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by

Lorraine Dunmall
in

When you hear the word “sustainability,” what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Electric cars? Solar panels? Maybe a recycling bin?

I get it. A recent conversation I had with a potential client started with an immediate, firm request: “Please, don’t talk about electric cars!” That’s because for many small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), sustainability can feel like an abstract, expensive topic.  All about green tech and complex carbon reports.

In reality sustainability is about how we run our business and projects, look after our people, support our communities, and leave the land in better shape than we found it. It’s about thinking ahead not just ticking a compliance box. And let’s be honest, for many SMEs, it feels overwhelming. Where do you start? Who has the time? And do you even need to know about carbon accounting yet?

Here’s the thing: you don’t need to do it all at once. You just need a plan, some practical steps, and the right support.

Let’s break this down into something manageable, a 6-pillar framework that I believe covers the whole picture, from people to profits to the environment. I think of it as a roadmap to make your company stronger and more future-ready.

1. Economic – Keeping Your Business Resilient

Let’s start with the obvious: if you aren’t making money, nothing else sticks. Profitability isn’t just cash in the bank it’s what lets you:

  • Invest in smarter ways of working
  • Support suppliers and subcontractors
  • Build a business that can survive the ups and downs

Here’s a tip: small, practical efficiency wins often pay for themselves. For example, track your energy usage.  Are you running equipment unnecessarily after hours, are lights left on long after everyone’s left the building? Understanding your energy consumption and making small changes can save you thousands of dollars, money that could be reinvested into better practices, safety gear, or staff training.

2. People – Your Team Is Everything

You can have the best plan in the world, but if your team isn’t engaged, it won’t go anywhere. People drive projects, they’re the ones on-site, problem-solving every day.

Think about:

  • Upskilling staff so they know safe and environmentally smart practices.
  • Asking your crew for their ideas, often the best improvements come from the people doing the work.
  • Keeping wellbeing front of mind; tired or stressed workers can’t implement plans effectively.

Small gestures count too. For example, a short toolbox talk about waste sorting or sediment control can make a big difference and it gets your team thinking proactively.

3. Community – More Than Just Donations

Supporting your local community isn’t just about making a yearly tax-deductible donation. It’s about thinking: what impact are we having here? Are we leaving this place better than we found it?

You might ask:

  • Are we minimising disruptions for neighbours?
  • Are we creating opportunities for local suppliers and contractors?
  • Are local voices being heard during project planning?

Case studies show that projects that actively consider their community leave a stronger social license to operate. For example, Green Industries SA highlights SMEs reducing environmental impact while also benefitting local communities.

4. Ecological – Protect and Restore

Construction projects touch ecosystems, often in ways that aren’t obvious at first glance. You don’t need to become an ecologist, but a few smart choices make a difference:

  • Plant native species after clearing or disturbance
  • Protect patches of vegetation and wildlife habitats
  • Manage erosion, sediment, and stormwater carefully

Even small steps like this help ecosystems recover and demonstrate to your clients and regulators that you care about the long-term impact of your work.

5. Operational Environment – Everyday Impacts

Day-to-day operations on site create the footprint you leave behind. This includes:

  • Water use — even small leaks add up
  • Dust, sediment, and runoff
  • Waste management and recycling
  • Energy use from machinery and site offices

Practical, achievable actions are key. For example, swapping old lights for LEDs, turning off idle equipment, and reviewing site water use can all reduce costs and environmental impact at the same time. Brisbane Sustainability Agency case studies show that small operational changes often have big payoffs.

6. Greenhouse Gas / Carbon – Planning Ahead

Yes, net zero 2050 is on the horizon but it’s not just about your site vehicles. Scope 1 and 2 emissions are what your business produces directly. Scope 3 covers your supply chain, and for many SMEs, that’s where the new reporting requirements are coming in.

Even if you’re not ready for a full carbon audit, it pays to start thinking ahead:

  • Map your major sources of emissions, even roughly
  • Engage suppliers about their environmental practices
  • Start simple tracking so you can see progress

Reference: EY Australia – Mandatory Scope 3 Reporting

Quick Wins for SMEs

You don’t need a huge budget or a sustainability team to start making an impact. Here are some practical things you can do now:

  • Energy & water: Fix leaks, switch to LED lights, turn off idle equipment
  • Waste: Audit your streams, improve recycling, rethink packaging
  • Supply chain: Ask your suppliers how they manage emissions and waste
  • People: Short training sessions or toolbox talks on environmental awareness
  • Ecology: Plant a few natives, restore a disturbed patch of land
  • Reporting: Start a simple spreadsheet to track progress, even rough numbers help (but try and be as accurate as possible).

A 12-Month Roadmap

Here’s an example of how to turn intentions into action over the next year:

  1. Months 1–2: Audit your energy, water, and waste. Talk to your staff about improvements.
  2. Months 3–4: Pick 2–3 small, achievable projects. Set targets you can realistically hit.
  3. Months 5–7: Gather basic data and map a key supply chain segment.
  4. Months 8–10: Publish a simple internal plan and engage your team.
  5. Months 11–12: Review progress, celebrate wins, and prepare for upcoming reporting requirements.

References / Further Reading

About Me

I’m an Environmental Professional and an ISAP (Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional), but I don’t claim to be a sustainability academic or social impact specialist. My strength lies in hands-on experience. I’ve worked alongside some fantastic sustainability advisors and auditors, and I’m always learning and growing in the space.

What I can do is help you cut through the noise and make sustainability more approachable and practical for your business. I work with SMEs to develop clear, achievable sustainability strategies, set realistic goals, and implement simple reporting systems so you can track progress without getting bogged down.

The more technical aspects, like annual audits or detailed carbon accounting, are best handled by specialists. But with the right foundations in place, your business will be ready to take those bigger steps when you’re ready.

Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, it’s about starting, learning, and improving. Even small, practical steps today can prepare your business for the challenges and opportunities of 2035, 2050, and beyond.

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