Development of strategic environmental work for a Swedish SME within the sports nutrition industry

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a critical global concern during the past decades and is a consequence of mankind’s unsustainable way of living. The industrial is an important stakeholder who must incorporate sustainable development to mitigate climate change. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute a significant majority the global economy and account for over 60 per cent of total emissions. Still, there is an evident lack of external pressure and internal motivation among SMEs to address environmental issues. The aim of this master thesis was to investigate the environmental activities of a Swedish SME within the sports nutrition industry to assist in identifying a starting point for a strategic and continuous environmental work. By offering quantitative indications of the case company’s current environmental impact based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, investigating green practices, and triggering environmental discussions, the study has elevated the concept of sustainability to strategic level. A majority of the employees were involved in the project by giving their perspectives during interviews, which has improved the overall enthusiasm for sustainability within the company. The study intended to give the company an introduction to environmental work and not a comprehensive analysis of their environmental impact and all possible ways to proceed. The findings reveal that mitigation of carbon footprint could be achieved through adoption green practices, such as Management Systems (EMS), circular economy, and Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM). Furthermore, the company must overcome knowledge and information-related barriers by hiring environmentally savvy staff.