SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MEANS the aspects of sustainability that relate to people, making sure that humans have what they need — now and in the future. 

Businesses can have a huge impact both on their employees as well as on the community at large. They have the capacity to shape communities, change them for the better, and to benefit from those improvements in the long run.

That sounds simple and straightforward, but it’s important for businesses to have a clear understanding of how they can contribute positively to social sustainability. 

Ways businesses can impact social sustainability

In many ways, businesses lead the way in creating sustainable communities by setting the stage for a community to develop. This could be through policies like decent work and equitable pay, diversity and inclusion practices and policies, or their stance on equality, as well as building social inclusion — especially for those on the margins of society. 

Here are a few ways businesses can help to build socially sustainable communities: 

• Commission projects that will help and promote communities that are on the edge of society.
• Give marginalised communities a voice to ensure their needs are met. 
• Treat their employees justly, which will have a positive impact as those practices become more widespread.
• Sponsor community events or outreach efforts.

An Post is working hard to ensure that they are making positive impact for current and future generations, especially in the arena of sustainability and social impact. Since it first released its Gender Pay Gap Report in 2019, An Post has effectively reduced the gender pay gap for its staff from 3.7% to zero. In 2021, women earned marginally more than men who work at An Post. 

An Post has also taken a leadership stance on equality through its sponsorship of Pride as well as donations made from its Brod stamp. An Post donated 2.5% of all Brod stamp booklet sales to LGBT+Ireland and BeLong To. 

Its work with NALA to improve adult literacy has helped An Post take steps toward a more functioning, greater society throughout the country. So, too, has their AddressPoint initiative, which provides a free virtual address service to those without a home so they can access services and apply for jobs. Hopefully this marks a first step in getting back on their feet. 

These initiatives have made a big difference to individuals in the community, as well as to the greater societal standards that community members can expect. An Post is leading the way in focusing on the relationships they hold with their customers, their employees, and the larger community. These small steps have created a big impact by raising the importance of social sustainability, and will hopefully serve as an example to individuals to get involved. 

Over the next few weeks we’ll be covering a multitude of sustainability topics with An Post. Check out more information on the An Post sustainable journey here.