By Kyle Plantz, Solutions Specialist

More and more companies are focusing their futures on the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. By going green, individuals, communities, companies, and governments are trying to take into consideration the ecological, social, and economic impacts they have on the world. A global pandemic, weather-related disasters, and social unrest and racial discord have forced many industries to rethink the way business is done. Big brands are issuing sustainability goals as a way to not only make a profit but also conserve resources for the next generation.

This collection of stories looks at what’s really working in the world of business sustainability. Through investment in renewable energy and green finances to innovative farming and trash disposal practices, companies are seeing that sustainability is not a passing trend, but a new business reality. With residents and customers demanding more transparent, ethical, and environmentally-friendly products and services, businesses are needing to adapt to a changing climate and economy, or risk facing extinction. These are examples of how some groups are making that transition.

1. Summarize the response in the NPR piece. What social problem is the New Communities Land Trust trying to solve? How do they go about solving that problem?
2. Assess why environmental impact bonds could be beneficial for both cities and investors. What are the risks involved with such an approach? What other stories can you find in the Story Tracker about private-public partnerships related to climate and the environment?
3. Describe the challenges that exist in scaling regenerative agriculture? Why has it been difficult to gain investor attention? Why do you think the practice has been slow to implement in the United States?
4. Analyze how the Wasteland Graced Land project in South Africa has been effective in its mission? Do you think a similar approach could be implemented in other places? Describe why or why not.
5. Bonus question for educators: How have these stories changed your perspective about businesses taking on sustainability? Do you think businesses have done a good job at being more environmentally-friendly? Why or why not? What do you think still needs to be done?

Tips for journalists:

• For business and sustainability stories, it’s important to remember that there can be some people who have strong feelings about the role corporations play in the environment. It can be useful for journalists to “Complicate the Narrative” when interviewing a source to get at the heart of why they feel a certain way. Use the “22 Questions that ‘Complicate the Narrative’” linked to this collection to help you elicit more truthful answers from your sources.
• Remember to ask yourself or your sources: “Who have I not talked to?” Make sure you talk to everyone who could potentially be impacted by an organization’s or business’ sustainability plan, especially BIPOC communities, residents in local areas, or even workers/employees. 

1. In 1910, black farmers owned more than 15 million acres of land. In 2017, that number was down to 4 million acres. The New Communities Land Trust is working to help rural black landowners keep their property and make a profit from farming. They pursue this mission by focusing on agribusiness, wealth-building, and education. They help farmers stay on their lands, teach them how to grow new crops, and provide stability in chaotic housing markets.
2. Environmental impact bonds (EIBs) allows for cities to share the risks and rewards with investors. These investments can kickstart climate projects related to residence, water quality, and other environmental challenges that might not otherwise be funded through regular budgets and taxes. EIBs, however, can be more costly to issues, and the monitoring and evaluation requirements can divert time and resources from other aspects of the project. This approach can also provide positive corporate social responsibility for the investor. Using the Story Tracker search, type in “Private-public partnerships” for these collaboration stories. Using “environment,” “climate,” or “business” search terms will also narrow down the stories.
3. There is no universal definition about what agroforestry or regenerative agriculture is, so there can be misunderstandings. Also, there are so many different variables (climate, objectives, and markets) that can impact this type of farming. There’s no one-size fits all approach. Also, it can take years to produce crops or make a profit, which might not appeal to investors. Although there’s about $47.5 billon worth of investment assets related to regenerative agriculture, the practice is still relatively rare in the United States and more widespread in other countries. Answers may vary.
4. So far, the Wasteland Graced Land project has cleared out an invasive plant species, set up a botanical garden, set up an arts and crafts center, and helped turn the community into a tourist destination. Their current project has trained over 30 people in turning plastic waste into products of value like mosaics, jewelry, bowls, and bags. The collaborative project has been working for nearly a decade to address unemployment and poverty through waste management. Answers may vary.
5. Answers may vary.