Creating an effective sustainability plan for interior designers, architects ...actually anyone!
Yesterday I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak on a panel discussion at Decorex, the annual international interior design exhibition at Olympia in London, along with my wonderful Interior Design Declares steering group colleagues Emer Gillespie of Spark and Bell, Catriona Hoad of Absolute Project Managament and Nicola Holden of Nicola Holden Designs. Excellently moderated by Mirry Christie of B Able. My 6th time speaking there!
Our discussion subject was....
'Creating an Effective Sustainability Plan: Crafting Your Vision, Setting Goals, and Choosing the Right Certifications for a Sustainable Future.'
- Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical consideration for any interiors brand or designer. We'll explore how to develop a practical, straightforward approach to embedding sustainability into your business to drive meaningful environmental and social change.' to include Decorex panel
WHAT CAN SMALL BUSINESSES DO?
So many of us in this industry work in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs.
Accordng to the Federation of Small Businesses, at the start of 2023 there were 5.6 million small businesses (with 0 to 49 employees), that's a whopping 99.2% of the total business population in the UK.
The British Institute of Interior Design looked into statistics and estimated there are 20,000 interior designers in the UK. In their fee research surveying professional interior designers in the UK, they found 58.4% are sole practioners and 34.2% employs 2-5 full time employees.
That's a lot of us out there with influence to use! However small our own businesses are - we really do have an important part to play in improving our practices and industry.
WHAT'S IT GOT TO DO WITH INTERIOR DESIGN?
We have one home planet - and we are using resources at a terrifying rate - at the cost of future generations. We are using 1.7 planets each year globally - this varies greatly by country - read more here.
Worldwide, the construction industry contributes to
- 50% of all climate change
- 40% of drinking water pollution
- 23% of air pollution
- 50% of landfill
Interior design plays a significant part in this harm. This is a real opportunity to influence clients, projects and our industry's supply chains.
Start by making a sustainaility commitment....
Addressing the sustainability of a business and its operations is an area I feel very passionate about and I have been working with fellow designers and architects with their own sustainabilty plans and statements for their businesses. So I thought it would help more people if I wrote about what we discussed and added some steps to follow. So I hope this helps you! Let me know if it did.
CREATE A SUSTAINABILITY PLAN Let me help you - step by step!
Step 1: Define your vision - make a COMMITMENT
Your sustainability plan begins with defining your vision. Ask yourself: what kind of future do you want your business to contribute to? How will your brand make a positive impact on the environment, society + the economy? A clear vision will really help you stay focused, and communicate your commitment to stakeholders. You can read mine here.
QUICK WIN ACTIONS
- Join the Interior Design Declares pledge (IDD) to work together with our industry to lessen our impact on climate change and biodiversity loss. Cost FREE (small donations welcome!) Effort: 5 mins.
- Sign the Better Business Act to join foraces with all sizes of UK business for a small change in the law - calling on the UK Government to change the UK law to ensure every company in the UK aligns their interests with those of wider society and the environment. Cost FREE. Effort: 5 mins.
MORE INDEPTH ACTIONS
- Choose the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) that reflect your business. Just go for 3-6 so you really can focus your intentions. There is even a free tool to help. This is tool helps companies align their goals with living within the Earth’s resources, focusing on health, equity, nature, and culture. Once you have the defined goals, detail how they apply to your business. Cost FREE. Effort: 60 - 90 mins.
- Or similarly, you can look to the The One Planet framework as a benchmark. These similar 17 goals provide a universal blueprint for sustainable development and you can map out all your objectives visually. Here's mine. Cost FREE. Effort: 1 - 3 hours.
- Sign up to the SME Climate Hub. This is focused on the need to reduce carbon emissions. Aim for a 50% reduction by 2030 and strive for net-zero emissions by 2050. Cost FREE. Effort: 3 + hours.
Step 2: Start MEASURING
- The B Impact Assessment is a free resource to measure your impact and help you understand where improvements can be made. Cost FREE. Effort: 3 - 7 hours.
- Additionally, there is guidance from organisations such as Small Business Britain or your local Chamber of Commerce, which can provide support and guidance in your sustainability efforts.
- Tools provided by Small 99 and the Clean Growth Platform can help you calculate your carbon footprint and assess the effectiveness of your strategies.
- For product-specific carbon values, resources like Giki Zero and Mothertree provide valuable insights, enabling you to make informed choices about materials and suppliers. It's worth highlighting here - my largest company impact reduction to date has simply been to switch my company pension to an ethical one using Mindful Wealth reducing carbon emissions (and lessening/avoiding other impacts) from 64 tonnes to 23 tonnes per year.
Step 3: Reduce your IMPACT - sustainable design and specifications
- For focused efforts, set specific project goals. Use my book to work out which goal to pursue for your business of for a certain client or project. To make it easier for you - I have defined 11 routes into sustainbility and I've used 40 international examples to demonstrate them!
- Use the Sustainable Specifying Guide from British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) to work more sustainably on your projects. Cost FREE. Effort: 3+ hours.
- Use the IDD Supplier Questionnaire - a downloadble, editable template you can tweak to suit you - review replies using the BIID guide above. Cost FREE. Effort: 1+ hours.
- Use platforms like Mydoma Studio to track and manage the carbon impact of projects efficiently and keep sustainability at the forefront of your business operations. Cost £49/mth. Effort: 3 + hours.
Step 4: Set REVIEW dates
Sustainability requires a commitment of time and resources. I review my progress every 6 months goals. Cost FREE. Effort: 3+ hours.
Engage your team in collaborative discussions about sustainability practices. Record-keeping is crucial for monitoring progress and identifying areas for improvement together.
Step 5: SHOUT ABOUT IT
Let people know the efforts you are making - it might inspire others and create ripples!
I've found that marketing your sustainability efforts can attract a niche clientele that prioritizes eco-friendly options. Now I'm a B Corp and am in the B Corp directory, I am connecting with like-minded businesses and clients who value ethical and sustainable practices. Highlight your certifications, partnerships and specific sustainable practices in your marketing materials to showcase your commitment.
Step 6: Keep pushing for better KEEP UP YOUR LEARNING
Get involved with Interior Design Declares - even volunteer to help to run it. I promise you will find it educational! Contact us here. Cost: FREE. Effort: what you put in you get out!
The BIID provide continuing professional development (CPD), excellent resources and networking opportunities for professionals committed to sustainability. Cost: £42/mth. Effort: what you put in you get out!
Engage with both of these communities to stay informed about best practices in the industry.
I'm here if you'd like more help...
Creating an effective sustainability plan is a journey that requires commitment, creativity, and collaboration. By crafting your vision, setting clear goals, measuring your impact, and engaging with clients and professional organisations, you can embed sustainability into your business model.
Remember, the transition to a sustainable future isn’t just beneficial for the planet and people; it can also enhance your brand's reputation and open up new opportunities. Let’s work together to drive meaningful environmental and social change in the interior design industry!
I can assist you at whatever speed and intensity that works for you. Just make a start!
What do clients say?
Chloe is like a natural energy boost shot - her knowledge and advice has been invaluable to drive the sustainability of our business further.
Using her services has benefited us immensely.
Hello there,
I'm Chloe Bullock, I'm the founder of Materialise Interiors, Brighton-based B Corp certified interior design company which I started in 2005.
With over 30 years experience of the design industry and most of that time in sustainability, I work for clients, architects and interior designers helping with sustainable and regenerative design solutions, sourcing and materials - as well as running their businesses ethically.
Named PETA’s Compassionate Designer in their Vegan Homeware Awards.
I am co-founder of Interior Design Declares + active Sustainability Committee member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID)
