Wouldn't it be a hopeful and innovative if the planet was prioritised above profits in business decision-making? 

Every business run on the famous triple bottom line - "people, profit and planet". Unfortunately, most of the time, the c-suite is consumed with making more money, keeping stakeholders happy and somewhere between those two, how to protect planet got overlooked. This is not to say that businesses should not prioritise profits, but rather that all three pillars of sustainability should be given equal consideration. 

What is planet-centric design?

Planet-Centric Design is philosophy that focuses on creating products and systems that are sustainable and equitable for both people and the planet.

We are coming full circle in our understanding of the importance of sustainability. In planet-centric design, planet is placed at the centre of projects, prioritising its ecosystem and the creation of positive outcomes for the planet. Ultimately everything revolves around circularity.

Where are we currently?

As we strive to make our businesses more sustainable, many companies are now advocating for planet-centric design. However, in many cases, these efforts are limited to low-cost, low-risk initiatives that do not disrupt business as usual. Even though these initiatives may generate positive branding and satisfy regulators, but they are no longer enough to truly address the environmental challenges our planet faces. It is imperative to look beyond greenwashing.

Where do we have to focus?

The first step towards planet-centric approach is to understand how business operates and assess their positive and negative environmental and social impacts. In order to accomplish this, businesses need to have transparency and accountability. Once Business have an understanding of their environmental impact, they can identify areas of improvement and put implement strategies to lessen the impact of their actions. 

The solution may be to source materials more sustainably, reduce energy and water consumption, and finding ways to reduce waste and pollution; or to design products with a longer lifespan, using sustainable materials, and incorporating circular design principles to reduce waste.

The purchasing habits of consumers are changing in favour of sustainable goods and services. By adopting to planet-centric design, companies not only attract consumers, but also create products and services that are better for the environment.

Why responsible business is resilient one?

Resilience isn’t just about taking into account what impact we have on the world. It’s about being aware of the impact the world might have on us, and what we can do about it.

Some use cases:

  • Energy efficient - IKEA has invested in renewable energy and energy-efficient lighting, which has reduced their energy costs by 50%.
  • Waste reduction - The Body Shop has implemented a recycling program for their packaging, which has saved them over $1 million annually.
  • Sustainable transportation - UPS has a fleet of electric and hybrid delivery trucks, which have saved them over $70 million in fuel costs.
  • Green buildings - Google has invested in green building technologies such as solar panels and geothermal systems, which have saved them over $1 billion in energy costs.
  • Sustainable sourcing - Unilever has implemented sustainable sourcing practices for their raw materials. This approach helps   to maintain a long-term supply of sustainable raw materials and avoid risks in their supply chain and reduce costs.

There are few examples for sustainability can be more cost-effective in the long run.

What if None of This Matters?

We may not be able to completely address our environmental challenges, as our current economic model is based on constant growth and consumerism; Which is driving many of the environmental problems we are facing. But, redesigning our business around planet-centric design principles can be important steps in the right direction. We are not only addressing immediate environmental challenges, but also building a foundation for a more sustainable future.

This means sharing our mission to embody a planet centric design approach and not being afraid to embed sustainability into every step of our process.

The key is to keep asking the right questions rather than to wait for the perfect answer. Don’t let complexity paralyze you!