What is Sustainable Development and What Role Do Companies Play in Sustainable Development?

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What is Sustainable Development and What Role Do Companies Play in Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is a concept that is becoming increasingly important today and is necessary to overcome issues such as the overconsumption of natural resources and environmental degradation. Problems such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution pose significant threats to the future of humanity. Therefore, adopting a sustainable lifestyle is not only the responsibility of individuals but also of companies.

What Do Sustainable Development Goals Mean?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 objectives established by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to end poverty worldwide, promote equality, and enhance environmental sustainability. Here is a brief summary of these goals:

  1. End Poverty: Eradicate all forms of poverty everywhere.
  2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
  3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
  4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
  5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
  10. Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
  14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
  15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
  17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

These goals aim for all countries to cooperate for sustainable development and provide equal opportunities. Each goal is supported by specific measurable indicators.

The Role of Companies in Sustainable Development

  1. Resource Management: Companies can reduce their environmental impact by using natural resources more efficiently. At Biotrend Energy, we not only manage waste to reduce our carbon footprint but also continuously improve in areas such as reducing dependence on fossil fuels, conserving water resources, and preventing air and soil pollution.
  2. Innovation: Innovation in sustainability provides an opportunity to develop new products and services. Companies can gain a competitive advantage by developing environmentally friendly technologies and processes.
  3. Corporate Social Responsibility: Companies can support social equality by having a positive impact on society. Projects in the areas of education, health, and environmental protection contribute to social development.
  4. Transparency and Reporting: Transparency is crucial for companies to achieve their sustainability goals. Regular reporting of their performance helps build trust with stakeholders.
  5. Collaborations: Companies from different sectors can collaborate to achieve sustainable development goals. Such partnerships enable more effective use of resources and create a greater impact.

Biotrend Energy’s Vision for Sustainable Development

Biotrend Energy embraces the principles of sustainable development by developing renewable energy projects and offering environmentally friendly solutions. The company invests in the future with practices that make a difference in the energy sector, considering both economic and social dimensions.

Biotrend Energy’s Sustainability Strategy

Biotrend Energy aligns its sustainability strategy with global economic and social transformation requirements, such as the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the European Green Deal. It aims to be a leader in transitioning to a low-carbon economy in Turkey and one of the pioneers globally with its 2030 and 2050 targets based on five main pillars:

  1. Accelerating the Circular Economy (SDGs 11, 12)
    Approach: Biotrend Energy aims to reintroduce waste into the economy and produce high-value-added products from waste through its current projects and investments.
    International Policies and Frameworks:
    • European Union Circular Economy Action Plan
    • Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment
    • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  2. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (SDGs 7, 13)
    Approach: Through integrated waste management activities involving municipal, agricultural, and forestry waste, Biotrend Energy aims to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and participate in carbon credit certification programs for national and international climate targets.
    International Policies and Frameworks:
    • EU Green Deal
    • European Climate Law
    • Paris Agreement
  3. Facilitating the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy through Innovation (SDG 9)
    Approach: Biotrend Energy seeks to be a key player in the low-carbon economy by expanding its portfolio of circular and sustainable raw materials, bioelectricity, bioheat, and sustainable fuels through innovative technology investments and business models.
    International Policies and Frameworks:
    • EU Green Deal
    • European Commission’s 2050 Roadmap
    • EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
  4. Protecting Biodiversity (SDGs 6, 15)
    Approach: In 2023, Biotrend Energy will implement biodiversity programs, in collaboration with universities and NGOs, to regularly monitor the impact on biodiversity across all its facilities.
    International Policies and Frameworks:
    • EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy
    • Equator Principles
    • Convention on Biological Diversity
  5. Respect for Humanity (SDGs 5, 8, 10)
    Approach: Biotrend Energy commits to inclusivity, equality, and diversity principles throughout its value chain and upholds a zero-tolerance policy for workplace and environmental accidents.
    International Frameworks:
    • UN Global Compact
    • International Labor Standards
    • Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Sustainability Governance Structure

Biotrend Energy operates with a corporate governance structure that embraces transparency, accountability, and responsibility for a sustainable future. The governance of sustainability is the responsibility of the Biotrend board of directors, with quarterly presentations on sustainability performance indicators and climate-related risks and opportunities.

Sustainability-related topics, including climate risks and opportunities, corporate strategy, action plans, risk management, budget, business models, performance indicators, and targets, are integrated into Biotrend Energy’s corporate governance mechanisms. To ensure the achievement of sustainability goals, incentive mechanisms have been established, and sustainability-focused targets are included in performance evaluations of business units and employees.

Biotrend has developed policies related to environmental protection, human rights, information security, and occupational health and safety to ensure the compliance of all stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, with these policies.

In line with its corporate sustainability strategy, Biotrend Energy has formed a sustainability committee and subcommittees reporting to the board of directors to ensure efficient internal coordination and effective management of sustainability-themed topics. These committees include:

  • Environmental
  • Social (Stakeholder)
  • Financial
  • Technological

Conclusion

Sustainable development has become an imperative for all stakeholders. Companies play a crucial role in contributing to environmental, economic, and social objectives during this process. Pioneering firms like Biotrend Energy continue to add value to both themselves and society by working towards a sustainable future.

In this context, every step taken toward achieving sustainable development goals is of great importance for both individuals and companies. We must all work together for a sustainable future.

 

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