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Introduction 

In this section, we will dive into some useful practices to make your business or initiative more sustainable and responsible. These practices can even bring benefits to companies while steering them towards more sustainable operation. 

As such, the contents below will introduce different sustainable and responsible practices for micro and small enterprises, such as describing measures to take to create a sustainable and viable operation or how to use circularity and sustainability communication as assets.  

The main aims of this Bite Size are to: 

  • Learn about the green practices and their significance in making the blue economy businesses more sustainable and responsible. 
  • Introduce some useful practices for micro and small enterprises to boost their positive development. 
  • Offer examples of viable green practices for you, your enterprise and personnel as food for thought. 

THEORETICAL INFORMATION 

We all wish to have a sustainable future for both people and our planet. However, in the current situation, pollution, overfishing, general coastal development and climate change have jeopardised livelihoods in the coastal areas and endangered the marine biodiversity itself. 

Luckily, sustainability thinking has taken over the traditional linear economic model, i.e.  take–make–dispose, also in the business world. Now we aim to reduce material use, and reuse and recycle different materials and products. Instead of only thinking of economic profits, people stop to consider alternatives to become more sustainable in their activities. 

Most importantly, people want to Go Green!  

Different green concepts and practices have gained importance during the past decades and now touch practically every field of life. 

SMEs and entrepreneurs operating within the broad blue economy sector are in a central role in enhancing sustainable and responsible practices in the marine and coastal environments. These businesses are related to oceans and water resources and can adopt various green practices to control their impact on their environment and communities. 

How green is my company? 

You may wonder how green your company really is. You can find out by doing a short quiz and answer these questions: 

  • Does your business recycle the generated waste? 
  • Do you or anyone of your staff cycle to work? 
  • Do you use disposable plastic in your company? 
  • Do you look for sustainable suppliers? 
  • How much paper do you use at your office? 

In case you are a prospective entrepreneur, we recommend you to bear in mind these questions when planning out your business plan as well, aiming to generate positive impacts in your community through your new initiative! 

Anyways, you can calculate your score at How green is your business? 

Now when we have sorted this out, it is a good time to get some background for your green initiatives in general. 

Viable green practices for your blue economy enterprise 

To increase your (future) company’s sustainability, it may be worth carefully going through your daily practices, supply chains, transport options, local suppliers and traditions, electric appliances, and so on, to find items and/or activities that could perhaps be done differently, in a greener manner. Actually, there might even be savings to be found. 

One should also keep in mind that clients are increasingly responsibly conscious, especially the Millennials. In other words, putting effort into increasing sustainability of your operation is likely to bring more clientele. In particular, if you communicate your new image as a sustainable enterprise in your marketing, preferably in the form of digital marketing through your available social media channels. You can start by assessing your sustainability communication with the tool provided by the Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Just click this link to the Self-assessment tool for digital sustainability communication and find out your current status. 

In case you are the owner of a SMEs in a coastal community, do remember also to train your employees to act responsibly! 

Nevertheless, whether you are a business owner, a professional operating in tourism or a prospective entrepreneur, you can take a range of actions to be more environmentally friendly. 

  1. Reduce your energy consumption, for example, by installing energy-efficient lightbulbs or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. You can also start using, if not already, renewable energy sources. 
  1. Reduce water consumption, for instance, by installing low-flow toilets and showerheads. Using water-efficient appliances and implementing water-saving measures are also good ideas. In remote archipelago areas, there may be scarcity of fresh water and some companies actually have their own water treatment plants. Additionally, you can capture rainwater for watering the plants in your premises. 
  1. Reduce and sort your waste. Many municipalities have recycling and sorting of waste in practice. One way to reduce your waste and even benefit from it is to compost the biodegradable waste, or recycle your cooking oils for making biofuel. You can also put some more effort in planning your menus and purchasing groceries. In addition, it has proven to be very effective to control the served portions of food and how the food is displayed. You can also consider donating unused food to local charities.  
  1. Implement sustainable food practices in your business. Remember to source local, seasonal, and organic produce. This will reduce your food miles and benefit your community. This way you can also increase your social responsibility. 
  1. Use sustainable materials in your business, such as recycled glass and sustainable wood. They are both environmentally-friendly. 
  1. Use non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products, and reduce the use of paper towels and other disposable cleaning materials. 
  1. Encourage your staff, clients, and visitors (your ecosystem!) to use sustainable transportation by promoting public transportation, offering bike rental services, or providing electric vehicle charging stations.  

You can learn more on waste management and circular approaches in your performance by having a look at the “Waste Management & Circularity” Bite Size unit, with this “Green Approach” area of knowledge. Go for it!

Sectorial info

Tourism & hospitality

Tourists visit a destination or tourism enterprise due to its attractiveness. It may be the surroundings in general, the nature, a cultural heritage site, leisure time activity, a cosy little hotel, easy reach by a bicycle, or any authentic experience that appeals to him/her. Thus, it is of the utmost importance that these rare destinations stay attractive. 

There are multiple ways a tourism enterprise could implement green ideas in its practices. Very likely, each entrepreneur already implements sustainability to some extent. Please check this video to learn more about how to go green in the sector: Green Travel and Sustainable Travel Practices provided by AltexSoft.  

Leisure & sport 

In a leisure or sports company, for instance, reducing the use of water, reducing the generation of waste and recycling are very relevant indeed. 

Leisure time activities often include being outdoors in the wild when it is of the utmost importance not to disturb breeding or nesting animals. Remember also to avoid food that is individually wrapped in plastic.  

Energy 

Green practices in the energy sector refer to methods and technologies prioritising environmental sustainability and reducing the negative impact of energy production and consumption. The renewable energy sources comprise solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, bio energy, and hydropower. Many of these green energy forms can be produced in the blue economy businesses in marine and coastal regions. 

By adopting green practices, the energy sector can be a significant player in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. By doing so, it can provide a sustainable way to meet the growing energy demand. 

In addition, in the energy sector, you can also benefit from some of the green practices listed under Tourism & hospitality.  

Fishery 

The fishery sector refers to actual fishing and also to culturing, processing, preserving, and selling fish and fish products. As we all know, there are a number of problems concerning the fishery sector, such as overfishing, habitat damage, and bycatch. However, by implementing green practices in your fishery business, you can help protect the lakes, rivers and oceans, and enhance the welfare of coastal areas and communities also in the future. 

Fishery companies have several ways they could increase sustainability of the sector. First of all, the fishing practices need to be responsible. You can avoid overfishing and use fishing gear that minimises damage to the ocean floor and other marine life. When aquaculture is concerned, you can use the newest technology in the fish feeding to minimise the spoilage. Another way to increase the sustainability of your business is to use feed caught from local waters. This increases the nutrient circulation in the sea. Especially important is to try to avoid the use of antibiotics and harmful chemicals in your fish farm. 

Transport and port activity

Transport and ports are in a key role in the blue economy as most of the world’s trade is conducted by using ships. Ports, on the other hand, are the gateways connecting land and sea, through which people and goods move. Ports act as hubs for blue growth and innovation. They also provide a platform where new technologies and sustainable practices can be developed. 

In the transport sector, you can increase sustainability, for example, by using low-emission vessels or vessels using biogas, choosing the most efficient mode of transport, and promoting coastal shipping to reduce the carbon footprint. Ports, on the other hand, can reduce their environmental impact by enhancing sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, or electric vehicle charging places.

Leisure & sport

In a leisure or sports company, for instance, reducing the use of water, reducing the generation of waste and recycling are very relevant indeed. 

Leisure time activities often include being outdoors in the wild when it is of the utmost importance not to disturb breeding or nesting animals. Remember also to avoid food that is individually wrapped in plastic.

Energy

 Green practices in the energy sector refer to methods and technologies prioritising environmental sustainability and reducing the negative impact of energy production and consumption. The renewable energy sources comprise solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, bio energy, and hydropower. Many of these green energy forms can be produced in the blue economy businesses in marine and coastal regions. 

By adopting green practices, the energy sector can be a significant player in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. By doing so, it can provide a sustainable way to meet the growing energy demand. 

In addition, in the energy sector, you can also benefit from some of the green practices listed under Tourism & hospitality.

Fishery

The fishery sector refers to actual fishing and also to culturing, processing, preserving, and selling fish and fish products. As we all know, there are a number of problems concerning the fishery sector, such as overfishing, habitat damage, and bycatch. However, by implementing green practices in your fishery business, you can help protect the lakes, rivers and oceans, and enhance the welfare of coastal areas and communities also in the future. 

Fishery companies have several ways they could increase sustainability of the sector. First of all, the fishing practices need to be responsible. You can avoid overfishing and use fishing gear that minimises damage to the ocean floor and other marine life. When aquaculture is concerned, you can use the newest technology in the fish feeding to minimise the spoilage. Another way to increase the sustainability of your business is to use feed caught from local waters. This increases the nutrient circulation in the sea. Especially important is to try to avoid the use of antibiotics and harmful chemicals in your fish farm. 

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Examples and Case Studies 

              Additional resources 

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