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An environmental sustainability strategy to stand the test of time for Portable

Case study: An environmental sustainability strategy with Portable

Published:
August 31, 2023
September 26, 2023
Case study: An environmental sustainability strategy with Portable

By engaging stakeholders, gathering insights, and developing a purpose-fit framework, we helped Portable enhance its environmental impact and align its goals with its social mission.

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Why An Environmental Strategy?

While Portable is already a certified B Corporation, the agency recognised the importance of being more intentional about its environmental goals. By openly sharing its approach and progress, Portable aims to inspire others in the industry to take action and amplify the collective impact on environmental sustainability.

“Being intentional about putting together an environmental and sustainability policy is an essential part of us fulfilling a greater purpose for all of our stakeholders, and not leaving anything to chance.” - Andrew Apostola, CEO Portable

A 6-Step Approach

Portable, in collaboration with The Business Pickle, followed a comprehensive process to develop their environmental strategy. The key steps included identifying the need, establishing a working group, engaging stakeholders, gathering insights through staff surveys and industry interviews, developing a framework, and testing and refining the strategy.

The Strategy and Initiatives

The strategy is divided into four phases, each with a set of initiatives categorised under the domains of organisation, product/team, and individuals. These initiatives range from short-term, low-cost actions to long-term goals requiring more investment. They cover areas such as carbon footprint measurement, waste reduction, renewable energy adoption, public reporting, and staff engagement. The initiatives aim to accelerate sustainable ways of living, encourage sector change, reduce waste and emissions, align with the broader business strategy, support sustainable innovations, and verify and demonstrate impact.

You can see all of the initiatives in detail and access a spreadsheet template to apply in your own organisation via the Portable website.

Reflections and Overcoming Challenges

By involving multiple stakeholders and emphasising accountability at all levels, Portable aims to create a shared sense of responsibility for driving environmental outcomes. The process involved overcoming communication challenges between the working group and senior leadership, which required multiple sessions and consistent feedback to ensure alignment and understanding.

By taking a proactive, strategic approach to its environmental impact, Portable seeks to create positive and lasting change internally, while also inspiring others in the industry to follow suit. 

“The Business Pickle team were smart and considered. They carefully consulted with our team, working group and leadership team to define a strategy we are 100% backing. The end result is clear roadmap of actions that we are already implementing. We know where we should focus our efforts to have the greatest impact.”” - Andrew Apostola, CEO Portable

To read the full case study, visit Portable's website.

If you would like support in creating a sustainability strategy for your own business - covering any or all environmental, social, governance factors - please get in touch.

Using business as a force for good can be quite the pickle. While you want to balance profit with purpose, real-world challenges get in the way. We don’t have all the answers at The Business Pickle, but we sure have fun seeking them out.

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