Tag: sustainability

As we move into 2023, many small and medium enterprise (SME) owners and leaders anticipate another difficult year. Yet they are comfortable knowing they've endured a lot since the start of the pandemic. SMEs have survived, and some have even thrived, despite COVID-19, unrest, extreme weather, the global energy crisis, and the return of high inflation and rising interest rates.

During the Climate Change Conference (COP 26), the world witnessed the launch of the global sustainability standard-setter, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). To meet the demand from international stakeholders, the objective of the ISSB is to provide sustainability-related information that will enable investors to make better economic and investment decisions.

In 1970, Nobel Prize-winning American Economist Milton Friedman argued the following: “There is one and only one social responsibility of business – to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud.”

Investment strategies that are built on specific ethical factors are not new. The principles underpinning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment predate the 1960s. Early in the development of the ESG investment practice, ESG strategies were often performative and designed to appease customers or influence public perception.

Businesses are increasingly moving to the cloud, not only to survive potential business disruptions, but to take advantage of the scalability, remote work enablement and cost efficiencies. Their investments into the cloud will help them refine and reimagine their digital strategies with an eye on remote productivity, sustainability, and security.

While COVID-19 put the brakes on the economy, the post-pandemic recovery has almost been stymied by the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the impending fears of a US recession, contributing negatively to economies around the world. Through the most challenging hurdles, however, the franchise sector in South Africa has remained steadfast in its goals to grow the economy and create jobs.

Mining companies are under increased pressure from regulators, investors, and communities to manage social and environmental risks arising from mine closure and rehabilitation. Abandoned mines and their dumps are common features of the South African mining landscape.

Industry 4.0 can exponentially grow developing economies and combat resource-related challenges. The manufacturing sector is South Africa’s fourth largest sector and a key driver of economic growth. However, industrialisation challenges in recent decades and the relatively slow adoption of new technologies have hampered the true potential of this industry.

The sustainability concept is top priority for businesses globally, gaining significant traction in recent years. As a result, an increasing number of emerging entrepreneurs are entering the business world with a 'greener mindset', succinctly aware of issues around people and the planet.

The concept of investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-centric products is not new. Institutional investors have long modelled their investment strategies around socially responsible themes such as clean air and water, diversity, human rights, and workplace fair practices.