“ Sustainability took a back seat during the pandemic as executives shifted focus to innovation and moving their workforce online ”
CHARISSA JAGANATH HEAD OF RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS ,
LOGICALIS
But , on the other hand , companies had to cut costs in order to adapt . Achieving sciencebased targets can be expensive , after all . At British IT company Logicalis , this experience could be attested to . Said its Head of Responsible Business , Charissa Jaganath : “ Sustainability took a back seat during the pandemic as executives shifted focus to innovation and moving their workforce online . Leaders prioritised economising strategically for secure and connected remote working , and many viewed sustainability as a ‘ nice to have ’ rather than a necessity .”
Ultimately though , maintaining the path of science-based targets and sustainability is simply smart business . As Jaganath maintains : “ Environmental , social and governance goals have previously appeared as easy targets , but business leaders must be fully aware of the negative impact on brand reputation if sustainability initiatives are cut . A business ’ environmental impact has become a crucial factor in the consumer ’ s purchasing decisions , with 85 % of global consumers reportedly willing to pay more for sustainable alternatives . Never has it been more accessible for a customer to switch between companies and providers .”
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