Business and Sustainability
Business: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 6.3.3
Business and Sustainability
Sustainability means acting so that the Earth and all of its resources are fit for use for future generations. Businesses can improve their sustainability by:
Using renewable energy resources
- Many of the resources used by businesses to generate energy (coal, oil, natural gas) are non-renewable. Non-renewable resources cannot be replaced once we run out of them on Earth.
- To be sustainable, a business could use renewable energy, but this may be more expensive and the business may have to invest in new machinery.
Contributing to global warming
- Many of these non-renewable resources release greenhouse gases, which contribute to creating a warmer climate. This could lead to disastrous weather and flooding events for future generations.
- Businesses in many industries produce a large amount of greenhouse gases and therefore these businesses have a responsibility to help make the planet useable for future generations.
- Reducing air pollution may increase a company's costs.
Test yourself on Business and Sustainability
Which energy source could a business use to be more sustainable?
Which are true of non-renewable resources?
Why might a company be reluctant to use renewable energy?