Public Funding Alternatives Can Help Sustainability Objectives

Beginning down a sustainability path can appear daunting for public sector organizations, however this journey is crucial for the long run success of their operations in addition to the well-being of our planet. By adopting a well-rounded technique in the direction of financial, social, and environmental challenges, we may help obtain public sector wants with out jeopardizing the power of future generations to do the identical. This could enable us to assist the long run well being of our financial system, our folks, and our planet. Happily, there are public funding alternatives within the U.S. which may help state and native governments, academic establishments, healthcare suppliers, and Tribal nations with their sustainability journey.

Leveraging public funding for sustainability

At Cisco, we assist our public sector prospects as they plan and execute their sustainability methods, and one of many methods we assist them is by exploring funding for these plans via our Cisco Public Funding Workplace. Each day, Cisco leaders in authorities and schooling discover grant applications within the U.S. that collectively award greater than $500 billion yearly.

In 2015, the United Nations (U.N.) set 17 targets for sustainable improvement world wide. These targets tackle human, enterprise, and environmental considerations and are a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth, which offers a blueprint for peace and prosperity for folks and the planet. A constitution member of the U.N., the U.S. offers assist for U.S. organizations which can be contributing to the efforts to attain international sustainability targets.

Greatest practices for sustainability within the public sector

At Cisco, our objective is to energy an inclusive future for all. We wish to assist our public sector prospects discover sources that may assist them contribute to a extra inclusive and sustainable future. To do this, we regularly share our intensive expertise with public funding in addition to finest practices we have now found alongside the way in which. When our public sector prospects come to us with questions on the place to start out with their sustainability efforts, we’re glad to supply them the next recommendation.

• Set up a baseline. You possibly can’t get anyplace with out realizing the place you’re ranging from, so it’s vital to ascertain a transparent baseline earlier than embarking on this journey. It might take some effort, however it is very important start by reviewing and documenting your group’s present environmental affect. That baseline can let you observe your progress and establish areas that want enchancment.
• Set sensible targets. Set processes in place for measuring and reporting progress to maintain your group accountable. Observe the S.M.A.R.T. purpose methodology, which requires targets to be Particular, Measurable, Achievable, Related, and Time-bound. You must also set a platform for speaking progress to stakeholders. This could embody staff, residents, different customers, and personal entities which will accomplice with the general public sector. This may be so simple as periodic postings to your web site or as intensive as a extra subtle on-line platform that may be accessed at any time.
• Make sustainability a part of your tradition. Addressing sustainability ought to begin on the high with management guiding initiatives that infuse your tradition with a sustainability mindset, setting you up for better success. You must also take into account staff as a serious stakeholder. It’s vital to get their buy-in early to make sustainability an integral a part of your group’s DNA. You possibly can infuse sustainability into your tradition by offering coaching and schooling, encouraging participation in sustainability initiatives, recognizing and rewarding sustainability behaviors, and extra.
• Think about provide chains and bills. A corporation’s sustainability journey ought to focus by itself operations and worth chain — suppliers, distributors, and prospects. Sustainability necessities needs to be embedded within the provide chain course of and assist steady enchancment.
• Remember. Making updates or modifications to your total environmental affect will be expensive initially, however cost-effective in the long term. Incorporating public funding alternatives could make a big distinction. There are greater than 1,000 applications within the U.S. that award cash to organizations which can be implementing sustainability applications. Funding alternatives embody grants, bonds, and different monetary autos.
• Constantly enhance. Sustainability will not be a one-and-done mission that has a begin and a end. It’s an ongoing journey and a cultural mindset for public sector organizations that pursue it. As targets are reached, it’s vital to set new ones and never lose floor on earlier achievements. When seeking to the long run, discover new applied sciences, interact with stakeholders, and keep updated with sustainability finest practices.

Subsequent steps

As you begin your journey, bear in mind it’s not nearly folks and the surroundings — sustainability can even profit your group’s long-term success. By adopting a transparent course of and setting sensible targets early, you may set up accountability past the preliminary rollout to attain higher outcomes for all stakeholders.

Our Cisco public funding specialists are right here that can assist you attain your sustainability targets in an economical method. We encourage you to achieve out to us or go to Cisco’s Public Funding Workplace to find out how we are able to assist your group in figuring out grants, bonds, and different funding sources that align to your applications and know-how wants. Collectively, we are able to make a distinction for folks and our planet.

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