Challenges and opportunities for sustainable businesses

ING is trying to help business people conduct their business sustainably in a variety of ways, including by organising discussions between business people and ING employees, by sharing knowledge, such as the themed reports produced by ING’s Economic Research Department, and by financing.

At the end of last year, for example, a meeting was held with a number of leading Dutch sustainable business people to discuss more sustainable innovation and sustainable trade with the chairman of the Board of ING Netherlands, Nick Jue, and senior ING marketing managers. In a number of towns, a series of workshops organised by ING was launched on how to promote the implementation of sustainability in the SME sector. The participants were local business people who are also ING business banking clients.

Platform

Via these workshops, ING is trying to get the message across that social, economic and environmental challenges not only involve risks, but also offer opportunities given the rising demand for sustainable products and services. The evenings provide a platform for business people to discuss the challenges they face if they want to do business more sustainably. It is also an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals with an interest in sustainability.

Research sectors

ING’s Economics Department publishes regular reports on sustainability. At the beginning of this year, for example, the department presented a report on opportunities in sustainable fishing. The conclusion is that opportunities are available only to businesses opting for sustainable fishing.

Another example is ‘From Waste to Profit’, which contains the results of a study into the developments in the waste market and sector. Waste as a raw material source is gaining in importance. This is expected to result in an increased demand for leasing machinery such as recycling and waste collection machinery in this sector given that there will be greater investment. The report contains detailed information about various types of machinery and vehicles and the financial and other benefits of leasing for companies.

In food retail and in the out-of-home channel (such as caterers, fast food chains), sustainability is gaining in importance every year. Sustainability involves many aspects, such as food products that meet fair trade requirements or are organically produced. The large leading brand manufacturers, retailers, caterers and fast food and other restaurant chains control the sustainability of the food chain. The preselection of sustainable customers offers wholesalers opportunities. This and other information about sustainability and how businesses can respond to it can be found in the ING Food Service Sector Outlook, a study published in mid-December.

Are you interested in finding out more? Please visit www.ing.nl/zakelijk > Economisch Bureau (Dutch only).