All consumers and firms affect sustainability in different ways, either directly or indirectly. In practicing sustainability, a firm could create value for consumers, investors, and other stakeholders, such as the community in which the firm operates within its value chain. In addition, a firm engaging in good sustainable practices can fulfill the needs of its customers, earn a profit, and preserve the environment. This assignment will allow you, as a consumer, to explore how you can impact sustainability.
Tasks:
Propose a sustainability investment plan to improve the performance of your work group or organization or an organization you hope to work for. The investment can be made in human resources, in expansion of tangible or intangible assets toward new uses, or in capital equipment or new technology.
Memorandum
To: Director of US Department of Health and Human Services
From:
Date:
Subject: Recommendations for Investment Plan for Implementing Sustainability at the Department of HHS
Investment Plan
It is evident that HHS past sustainability plans have been extremely comprehensive, and it has reached new heights in 2017. However, it is also evident that additional opportunities in the area of integration of the Sustainability efforts in the health and human service programs exist. Not only this, but there is also a need to educate the grantees on the issue of climate adaptation and sustainability and provide guidance on the best practices by collaborating with such programs like the Healthy People 2020 and the National Health Security Strategy. There are various needed steps which can help provide better health and human services to the community at the regional and national scale (HHS.Gov, 2018).
Public Awareness Programs on Health Impact of Climate Change
Firstly, HHS has been putting in its effort in the Climate Change Resilience goal. It is needed to extend this goal to the health aspects as well. It is recommended that HHS should incorporate health impacts of climatic change on the regional and national level. Federal level reforms have been initiated to extend health benefits to individuals at the state level (Deloitte, 2013). The CDC National Center of Environmental Health should be directed to develop programs for educating the health officials, public, and hospitals on the effects of climate change on the health of humans. It would lead to better understanding, anticipation, preparation and responsive abilities against the health impacts of climate change. NIH has also been promoting the encouragement of the preparation for extreme weather conditions to be induced by climate change. CDC and NIH can collaborate on using the preparatory programs of the NIH and educating the public, health officials and the public about it (Herz, 2017).
Public Awareness Programs on Water Use Management and Efficiency
It is evident that one of the many issues which are going to become critical because of climate change is that of water supply shortage. It is necessary that Water Use management and Efficiency goals are reciprocated for public level as well. It is needed to educate the public on the conservation, efficient use and management of water and the importance of these efforts for future generations. HHS has been improving its water use management and efficiency of the reporting agencies by requiring them to efficiently manage stormwater, reducing potable water consumption (US HHS, 2013). The public should be a part of this effort as well, and they should be educated on reducing potable water consumption, and better managing water consumption and usage. Public programs in identifying the activities of high-water consumption and controlling the efficient use of water through close monitoring. Outdoor water usage should also be reduced as it is one of the contributors to high wastage of water. Displays, Expos, events should be conducted to educate the public on water use efficiency. Water conservation training and educational programs should be conducted.
Public Awareness Programs on Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention
Another area which is needed for awareness programs is the waste reduction and pollution prevention goals. HHS has been using it as its goal and required its agencies in the waste reduction and prevention of pollution. Public programs on recycling efforts, waste types, waste reduction and more use of reusable utensils, packaging, and products should be conducted. engaging the public in recycling efforts, a reduction in the use of soft plastic, film sheets, and Styrofoam can be some of the steps. Overall, these steps have been taken by HHS in the past, but for its agencies. The inclusion of the public would help reach its goal of sustainability sooner.
Investment Plan contribution to Mission of the Company
The vision of the US Department of Health and Human Services calls for implementation and development of health-related goals for sustainability throughout its agencies and federal collaborative partners. It has been pursuing its sustainability goals committedly and ensuring its implementation throughout its agencies. The inclusion of the public in the programs and educating them on the efforts of HHS and training them to better participate in sustainability efforts would provide fulfillment of the vision of HHS (US Department of HHS, 2018).
Expansion of Rewards to the Value Chain
This investment plan would yield benefits for the actors of HHS throughout its supply chain. The employees being part of society, its customers and suppliers also being part of society would be better educated on sustainability efforts and would contribute to the sustainability goals of HHS.
Generation of Value and Sustainable over Time
It is indeed true that these efforts would certainly not yield any wealth. However, the value of these efforts cannot be denied. Furthermore, the investment plan implementation would be highly helpful in encouraging sustainability in the public over time.
Risks Associated with Investment Plan
The risks associated with this investment plan are minimal. However, the main risk associated with this investment plan is that the results of this plan are not easily measurable. As the general public is involved in this plan, it would be practically impossible to measure the impact of the education, training, and awareness programs in numbers. It could lead to the abandoning of this plan. However, as with all governmental awareness and educational programs, the impact is always present, evident and instrumental in the building of a better society, consequently helping the agencies as well.
To conclude, it is recommended to establish a thorough strategic plan involving all the reporting agencies to implement the investment plan better. Monthly and Annual performance measurement should be conducted to make it more effective.
References
Deloitte. (2013). Improving Human Services. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/public-sector/us-state-chapter6-improving-human-services-012915.pdf
Herz, J. (2017). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2017-HHS-Strategic-Sustainability-Performance-Plan_0.pdf
HHS.Gov. (2018). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Focuses on Sustainable and Responsible Development. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/sustainability/index.html
US Department of HHS. (2018). Sustainability & Community Mobilization. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/resources-and-training/tpp-and-paf-resources/community-mobilization-and-sustainability/index.html
US HHS. (2013). Our Past Accomplishments. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/sustainability/our-past-accomplishments/index.html
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