Embedding Sustainability

A Consultant’s Approach to Embedding Sustainable Practices for Long-Term Gains

The room is quiet, save for the hum of the projector. Across the table sits the client, a mid-sized manufacturing business owner, arms folded, a mix of skepticism and curiosity etched on his face. He leans forward and asks, “Can you explain how your sustainability consultancy can help me increase my business’s profit margins?”

It’s a question that cuts to the core of why many businesses are now considering sustainability—not just as a moral imperative but as a competitive advantage. The challenge is clear: demonstrate the profitability of sustainability while embedding it seamlessly into the client’s culture, strategies, and operations.

Articulating the Question: Framing the Challenge

To begin, I translate the client’s question into a clear, actionable challenge:

• Challenge: How can sustainability increase profitability while reducing operational costs and enhancing market competitiveness?

Breaking this challenge down into manageable parts, I explain that the answer lies in three core areas: operational efficiency, market differentiation, and risk mitigation. I highlight that sustainability practices aren’t just about reducing carbon footprints—they're about optimizing resource use, enhancing brand value, and future-proofing the business against regulatory and market pressures.

I reassure the client that our approach will not just answer this question—it will create a measurable, long-term framework for profitability.

The Approach: Quantifying the Impact

The next step is to outline the roadmap to answering the challenge with quantified estimates, facts, and figures. This framework combines strategic insight with practical implementation:

1. Operational Efficiency Audit:
   We begin by evaluating the client’s resource use, energy consumption, and waste generation.

   • Example: “If we identify opportunities to reduce energy costs by 20%, this could translate into annual savings of £100,000.”

   • Fact-based analysis: I reference case studies where similar interventions have delivered cost savings, using these examples to build credibility.

2. Market Opportunities Assessment:
   Sustainability is a growing differentiator for consumers, partners, and investors.

   • Example: “A survey by NielsenIQ shows that 73% of consumers would change their consumption habits to reduce environmental impact. By aligning your product lines with sustainable practices, we could attract this growing market segment.”

   • Quantifiable impact: An increase in brand equity could lead to an estimated 10% rise in market share.

3. Regulatory and Financial Risk Analysis:
   Compliance with upcoming regulations, such as carbon reporting or waste management policies, avoids potential fines and positions the business for incentives.

   • Example: “By proactively complying with new regulations, you can secure government grants or subsidies worth up to £50,000 annually.”

4. Cultural Integration and Strategy Alignment:
   Embedding sustainability into the business’s DNA ensures long-term benefits. This includes staff training, aligning KPIs with sustainable goals, and integrating sustainability into the supply chain.

Collaboration in Action: Building the Framework

To transform insights into action, I propose a collaborative framework that not only addresses the challenge but also fosters a sustainable culture:

• Phase 1: Diagnostic and Baseline Assessment:
  We quantify current inefficiencies and opportunities.

  • Deliverable: A detailed report of cost-saving opportunities, market potential, and regulatory compliance gaps.

• Phase 2: Strategy Development:
  We co-create a sustainability strategy with clear KPIs linked to profitability goals.

  • Deliverable: A roadmap showing potential cost reductions, revenue increases, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Phase 3: Implementation Support and Measurement:
  I provide tools, templates, and training to implement the strategy and track its success.

  • Deliverable: Quarterly reports showcasing progress, cost savings, and profitability improvements.

Sustainability as Profitability: Results in Action

To bring the solution full circle, I outline the expected outcomes:

• Profit Margin Growth: Through reduced costs and increased revenues, the client could see profit margins increase by 15% within 18 months.

• Enhanced Reputation: The business positions itself as a market leader in sustainability, attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.

• Future-Proof Operations: The business is safeguarded against rising energy costs and regulatory changes.

I emphasize that sustainability isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a strategic tool for unlocking value and driving growth. By embedding sustainable practices into their culture and operations, the client not only answers the profitability question but also positions themselves as a resilient, future-focused organisation.

Knowing One’s Audience

As the meeting wraps up, I leave the client with this thought:

“Sustainability is about doing the smart thing. We can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantages, ensuring that profitability and sustainability go hand in hand.”

In the weeks ahead, our collaboration will deliver results that prove sustainability isn’t a cost—it’s an investment in a more profitable and resilient future.

About the Author

Omar Hadjel, MCIM, is a seasoned sustainability consultant, bid support specialist, and marketing professional with a passion for helping organisations achieve their commercial and social impact goals. With certifications in sustainability and extensive experience in public sector procurement, Omar combines strategic insight with practical expertise to deliver solutions that drive profitability while embedding sustainable practices into organisational culture, strategies, and operations.

Omar’s work is rooted in aligning business objectives with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and GRI Standards, ensuring his clients are positioned for long-term growth and resilience. Having successfully guided numerous businesses across various sectors, he is recognised for his ability to identify opportunities, articulate challenges, and create actionable frameworks that deliver measurable results.

Beyond consultancy, Omar is a thought leader, regularly publishing articles on sustainability, public contract readiness, and social value. He is committed to fostering dialogue, inspiring change, and empowering organisations to contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future.

For more insights and collaboration opportunities, connect with Omar on LinkedIn.