Managing Sustainability

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How did the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel group reduce energy by a quarter in three years?

1 May | Interview | written by Lucinda Broad, 2degrees

The May Fair Hotel in central London.

“Placing an emphasis on sustainability makes good business sense for us,” says Paul Mansi, the company’s chief operating officer. “We were one of the first hotel groups to start doing this in 2008 and remain committed to maximising profits through doing the right thing, reinforcing our customers’ trust in the brand at the same time.”

How did the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel group reduce energy by a quarter in three years? | Managing Sustainability | 2degrees

Patagonia, the Californian outdoor clothing company, is perhaps one of the best known examples of a company, that really seems to be engaging with a mindful approach to consumption – by taking the seemingly counterintuitive approach to encouraging its customers to buy less! And really pushing the re-use, repair and recycling business model – in pursuit of the company's mission of building the best product, causing no unnecessary harm, and using business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, also sees that there is a “proper size” for the company, and as he says in his inspirational talk – The Education of a Reluctant Businessman – “There are no three star French restaurants with fifty tables – it’s impossible.” 

Patagonia, based on its values and principles, simply cannot become a large company. As Schumacher urged us forty years ago, small really can be beautiful.

And what influenced the approach at Patagonia? Whether formalised or not, Chouinard points to his life-long study of Buddhist philosophies as being a major influence underpinning his work; a mindful approach to consumption.

Could Mindfulness hold the key to unlock a sustainable future? | Managing Sustainability | 2degrees
The Education of a Reluctant Businessman with Yvon Chouinard - YouTube

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