Top Three Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2021 and 2022

Protecting the environment is one of the top concerns for many people as the planet’s ecosystem continues to show signs of increasing stress and damage. Companies in all industries need to respond to sustainability concerns to stay competitive both now and in the future. What is the future of sustainability in 2022? Read on to find out how some of the sustainability trends in 2021 will predict some of next year’s expected advancements.

Expansion of sustainable product offerings

Companies that produce and sell consumer goods are heeding calls by their customers to take a sustainable approach to manufacturing and transporting their products. What types of products will be following the sustainability movement? Here are just a few sectors that will show some impressive changes:

  • Food: Food production is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the world, and it also plays a role in habitat destruction and freshwater consumption. Now more than ever, consumers are caring about where their food is coming from and how it’s produced. Many companies are investing in plant-based meat alternatives to reduce the agricultural industry’s impact on the environment.
  • Transportation: The move to electric-powered vehicles is set to continue into next year and beyond. Expect to see more incentives to switch from gas-powered to electric-powered vehicles in 2022.
  • Fashion: Consumers are constantly pushing for fashion brands to follow more sustainable practices. Recent studies show that sustainability matters when people choose where they spend their dollars, and some consumers even switched from their preferred fashion brands to ones that support sustainability efforts.

Focus on ESG practices

When it comes to the future of sustainability in 2022, businesses in all industries need to pay close attention to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement. Investors are looking to ESG to determine what equities or bonds to buy—it’s a forward-looking way to invest, relying on a business’ future potential in terms of sustainability rather than relying on production numbers or current profits.

Businesses can show a commitment to ESG in a variety of ways. Some may choose to follow a zero-waste program to reduce their environmental impact in terms of the waste they produce. Other companies may look to improve conditions for employees or even the community where they conduct business. In many cases, benefits are hard to quantify, but companies must consider ESG to stay competitive.

Continuation of the work-from-home movement

While many people in a variety of industries were forced to adapt to a work-from-home lifestyle at the beginning of the pandemic, it’s become comfortable for most employees. Luckily, working from home is also good for the environment, reducing the number of cars on the road as well as the energy used by office buildings large and small. Overall, working from home reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

Many of the sustainability trends of 2021 will continue into the new year. If there’s one thing you can expect about the sustainability movement, it’s that it will play a major role in all facets of life long into the future. Learn more about sustainable practices by reaching out to CIWA, Inc. today. We help businesses develop sustainable solutions that set them apart from competitors in the industry.