Sustainability should be everyone’s priority—and that includes businesses. In case you haven’t heard, the UN has sounded a code red for humanity thanks to climate change. Reducing, reusing, and recycling as individuals isn’t going to cut it. Businesses also have to take charge and change their practices in order to survive the climate crisis.

Tree planting activities and annual outreach programs aren’t close to enough. Businesses need to commit to making difficult decisions and changing policies for the better. Sustainability isn’t just about taking better care of the environment. It’s also about treating those you interact with better, as well as the financial health of your business. 

Recently, a chain of hotels announced that they’ll be rebranding. Aside from changing its name, logo, and aesthetic, they’ve also changed fundamental parts of the business to become more sustainable. 

Among the most important changes are their commitment to their people and the planet. There was an increase in basic salary and better benefits, a planned decrease in the use of single-use plastic, and other planned investments in solar panels, vertical farming, and greenery. 

The announcement has since gone viral on social media, which shows that people are receptive to these changes. This rebrand is just an example of how sustainable business practices aren’t reserved for ultra-high end, luxury hotels and resorts. 

As we (very hopefully) move into the post-pandemic era, we have to remember that sustainability is a priority for society as a collective. The mistreatment of the environment is to blame for the pandemic, which means we have to take better care of it to prevent another one from happening.