As entrepreneurs, we all have responsibility for our business (revenue, profit, strategy) including our employees e.g. by taking into account the (local) safety rules. But we are also responsible for our environmental impact.
We
more-and-more realize that we have to leave a better world behind to our
children. What ‘harm’ do we cause to the environment? How can we improve our
CO2 footprint?
And, while
this subject was never mentioned in the boardrooms 10 years ago, nowadays this
item is on (nearly) every boardroom agenda. It is for example now increasingly
required for businesses to have corporate social responsibility policies (CSR)
in place when participating in calls for tenders for major infrastructure
projects. This trend will further develop in the coming years, pushed by
national governments, the European Union, and the United Nations.
An increasing number of rental companies do however not rely on the postulate that
rental is sustainable by definition and goes beyond what the law or public
procurement regulations require by subscribing to international standards such
as ISO 14001 (environment management systems) or OHSAS 18001 (occupational
health and safety) or by implementing their own CSR policies relating to all
aspects of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social.
Although
the ultimate objective ‘leaving a better world behind’ is a valid reason to
come into action for environmental reasons, the impact on your business, and the corporate image in this world is substantial.
The ERA
(European Rental Association) has published a very interesting and readable
article about this. https://erarental.org/en/sustainability-of-rental
And also
the construction equipment industry changes to make their equipment
environmentally friendly so far:
• There
are already electronic engines with more horsepower available in the heavy
construction equipment industry.
• Fully
automated systems reduce fuel consumption considerably, which again leads to
less smoke emission and pollution.
• The
machinery demands a lot less maintenance due to technological advancements.
Additionally, it can warn when something is going to break down. This results
in less need to replace parts.
• The rental and sharing economy in the construction equipment sector has also paved
a green path because reusing equipment helps to utilize the machinery to its
fullest extent.
So, a lot
is going on, but there is still more to do.
Source:
https://www.to-increase.com/rental-and-lease/blog/sustainability-equipment-rental
