SACB Consulting: Empowering SMEs to Lead the Charge in Sustainability | Written By Camila C.
One firm has been making waves in the expanding field of sustainability consulting by focusing on a business area that is often overlooked: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sherry-Anne Bedminster is the owner and operator of SACB Consulting, a company that assists these businesses with implementing sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint. After working at RBC for thirty-five years, Bedminster decided to change her profession to better reflect her ethical values. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, she knows first-hand the catastrophic effects of climate change on island nations, and this awareness is what inspired her to make a difference. “My belief is that we all need to work at this- if not me, then who?” Bedminster says.
“My belief is that we all need to work at this- if not me, then who?” Bedminster says.
What primarily sets SACB Consulting apart is its focus on SMEs. 40% of Canada’s carbon emissions come from these companies, which account for an astounding 99.8% of all businesses and 90% of all employment in the country as well. Although SMEs have a significant environmental impact, many of them sadly lack the funding required to put sustainable measures into place. Recognizing this need, Bedminster adjusted her company’s offerings to better suit smaller enterprises’ budgets.
The firm takes a holistic approach, evaluating an organization’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. This involves assessing carbon emissions, employee well-being, health and safety, management systems and internal controls. Usually, the firm’s process starts with a brief evaluation to estimate the environmental impact of a business. This is followed by a thorough audit, which serves as the base for a tailored sustainability plan. SACB Consulting doesn’t end there, though. Recognizing that education is essential for long-term change, they also offer workshops to help individuals understand their impact on the environment.
The three main areas of strategy that SACB Consulting focuses on are energy management, waste reduction and recycling, and water management. These “three big buckets,” as Bedminster puts it, have a big impact on an organization’s sustainability score. This is because by switching to electric power sources and improving their energy efficiency, a business may significantly reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. By putting in place recycling and waste reduction systems, greenhouse gas emissions from waste breakdown are reduced and landfill usage is minimized. By establishing effective water management practices, such as recycling, conservation, and treatment, aquatic ecosystems are better protected. As climate change continues to dominate global conversations, businesses like this are proving that sustainability isn’t just for big corporations. They are taking advantage of a great deal of potential for change by focusing on SMEs.
SACB Consulting’s goals go beyond just business. It’s about building a more sustainable future, and with leaders like Sherry-Anne Bedminster at the forefront, that future looks more and more promising.