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I’ll let you into a little secret: I didn’t always want to be a sustainability specialist. In fact, my early career aspiration was to become a marine biologist. I could think of nothing better than spending my time diving into the deep and observing life beneath the waves.
However, it’s not just sea-lovers like me that should be paying attention to what’s going on beyond the shoreline. Let me explain.
It’s all too easy to focus on the environmental issues that face us on dry land when we think about sustainability. After all, what we see with our own eyes in our communities is what resonates most with us. But to talk about carbon footprints, Net Zero targets, ecological preservation and climate resilience without understanding the invaluable role of the oceans around us is, to put it bluntly, a bit short-sighted.
So, what better opportunity to unpack the importance of the water around us than World Oceans Day.
The truth is: you can’t go green without going blue.
The oceans cover over 70% of our planet’s surface. They regulate our climate, absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide and produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe. They are home to an extraordinary diversity of life and support the livelihoods of millions through what’s known as the blue economy – industries such as fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and marine transport.
But you don’t need to work in marine industries to have a stake in ocean health. Every business, from tech firms in city centres to manufacturers in industrial parks, has an impact . . . and a responsibility to preserve one of our most valuable assets on Earth.
The invisible ripple effect
When we talk about sustainability, we often focus on land-based actions: reducing energy use, switching to renewables, minimising waste. But many of these actions, or inactions, have direct consequences for our oceans. It’s not just about rising sea levels and melting ice caps; it’s about how we are impacting the health of the water that surrounds our landmasses.
Plastic pollution is a prime example. It’s estimated that over 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. And much of this originates from business premises far inland.
Poor recycling practices, excessive packaging, and a reliance on single-use plastics all contribute. While it’s easy to assume that once you’ve disposed of plastic into a bin, it’s no longer your responsibility. But this really isn’t the case. Only by addressing your plastic footprint and taking a responsible approach to disposal can your organisation help to tackle the problem.
Chemical pollution is another critical issue. Whether it’s cleaning agents used in offices, dyes, oils, or industrial by-products, improperly managed waste can end up in waterways and eventually the sea, causing harm to marine ecosystems. The same goes for paints that aren’t disposed of properly and even electronic equipment that contains toxic batteries.
For this reason, all organisations have a responsibility to handle toxic and harmful items with care. Every business’s environmental policy should accommodate safe disposal because the cleanliness of our water supply and the health of the oceans requires all of us to do our bit.
Care, conscience and compliance
These aren’t just ethical questions, either. They are business critical. Consumers, investors, and regulators are increasingly holding companies accountable for their environmental impact. Ocean stewardship isn’t a ‘nice to have’ but rather a necessity in the eco-conscious world we live in today.
If you aren’t looking at ways you can cut down on unnecessary plastic in your supply chains, sourcing from suppliers who prioritise water stewardship and responsible manufacturing, or educating employees about the value in sustainability efforts on both land and sea, then there’s work to be done.
World Oceans Day is a powerful reminder that the health of our planet depends on the health of our oceans. It’s also a call to action – not just for governments or ocean-focused organisations, but for every individual and every business to think blue when we think about ESG.
So, what now?
If you are looking to make ESG a priority in your business but aren’t sure where to begin, that’s where we can help at Venture Zero. Through a discovery session we can help to identify both your starting point and easy-to-implement steps that can move you towards a greener, more responsible future.
Ready to start your journey? Let’s talk.
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