The document outlines a roadmap for companies to adopt a sustainable business strategy in 3 steps: 1) Get leadership buy-in and do due diligence on green taxes, incentives, and supplier partnerships. Create a baseline of sustainability metrics. 2) Start small by picking financially viable low-hanging fruit like renewable energy and waste recycling partnerships. Incentivize employees to volunteer and support local charities. 3) Evaluate if the company understands sustainability benefits and is prepared to appoint a sustainability officer and reallocate resources, with alignment across the business.

1. Sustainable
business strategy
Our roadmap to ROI

2. It’s easy to make a case for
adopting a sustainable
business strategy.
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INTRODUCTION
The global population is set to double by 2050.
Natural resources are limited.
Consumers favor socially and environmentally
conscious companies.
When done strategically, sustainability is profitable.
grantthornton.com/sustainability

3. We asked food and beverage
execs what they thought about
sustainability.
3
INTRODUCTION
grantthornton.com/sustainability

4. Profitability and leadership
support are the pillars of success.
4
INTRODUCTION
grantthornton.com/sustainability

5. Here's a plan to get started.
5
INTRODUCTION
grantthornton.com/sustainability
• Get leadership buy-in
• Do your due diligence
– Green taxes and incentives
– NGO partnerships
– Suppliers
• Create a metrics baseline
• Pick the low-hanging, financially
viable fruit
“Education of stakeholders is
job one, and the first hurdle
for companies moving
toward sustainable business
practices.”
―Dexter Manning, Food and Beverage
practice leader

6. Starting small can help you
prove that sustainability works.
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INTRODUCTION
grantthornton.com/sustainability
• Incentivize your employees to volunteer
for community work.
• Support local charities.
• Look for local partnerships to reuse or
recycle your waste (i.e., composting).
• Opt for renewable energy providers.

7. Key questions to find out if
your company is ready:
7
INTRODUCTION
Do people at my company understand the economic
and social benefits of sustainability?
Is management prepared to appoint a sustainability
officer or reassign internal resources?
Do we have alignment across the business, including
about resource allocation and investment?
grantthornton.com/sustainability

8. Get the full story
We've put together numbers, best practices
and real-world tips on how to get started on
the path to responsible corporate citizenship.
Get more content at
grantthornton.com/sustainability
Dexter Manning
Leader, Food and Beverage Practice
Grant Thornton LLP
T +1 404 475 0061
E dexter.manning@us.gt.com
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