How does environmental sustainability affect business?

Question

How does environmental sustainability affect business?

Answer 1

It varies greatly depending on the industry the business operates in.  Some industries are more or less sustainable than others.

Some items like using energy and water efficient buildings  cost more capital up front to acquire at present however they reduce on-going operational costs by a greater amount than the depreciation cost of the enhancements.  This results in a net gain for the business.

It may spur enhancements and improvement to the products and services or merely increase costs of the products and services.  For example, recycling materials may be more expensive than simply mining and refining them.

In the case of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, etc, sustainability issues insure that a future supply of the product remains and in effect insures the business remains in business.