How Can Corporate Sustainability Impact Heritage Conservation?

Our heritage is a key part of our economic, social and environmental sustainability. In fact, the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development outline a commitment to natural and cultural heritage in Target 11.4 of the 2030 Agenda: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”

There are a number of benefits in engaging in heritage conservation as part of a commitment to corporate sustainability. Firstly, there are the socio-cultural benefits. Heritage provides a sense of identity and reminds us of what has come before in order to provide insight as to the future we might be able to create.

There are also the environmental benefits as some heritage sites are naturally occurring. Some man-made heritage sites have also, over time, attracted certain wildlife that if something were to happen to the site, it would damage the current ecosystem.

The greatest benefits of investing in heritage conservation as part of a commitment to corporate sustainability are the economic benefits. These economic benefits include higher property values for the surrounding area. This, of course, stimulates the economy through increased tax revenue. Preservation of cultural and natural heritage is quite labour-intensive and, therefore, provides more jobs, which also stimulates the economy. Cultural and natural heritage can also attract visitors and tourists to the surrounding areas, which is also injecting money into the economy when these visitors patron local small businesses and franchises in the area.

By becoming involved in cultural and natural heritage protection and conservation, your organisation will be able to market your commitment within the space of the heritage site as well as through your public channels. As with all commitments to sustainability, it is important to ensure your work is innovative and authentic and that you ensure your organisation is meeting the needs of the heritage site.

For more information about including heritage conservation as part of your business’ sustainability commitment, contact us today.

This article was originally published on the Strategic Sustainability Consultants website.