Ana Lúcia Ribeiro, Claúdia Ribeiro, Patrícia Silva
Nowadays, our world is facing several environmental problems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is common knowledge that Humans have a crucial role in shaping these changes, but we are also an essential part of the solution. In this matter, large enterprises represent the major contributors to such problems, and therefore, it is essential that companies start to analyse and rethink their business practices all around and adopt strategies and principles that re based on the three pillars of sustainability: environment, society, and economy.
In this sense, the CARE project was created and gave rise to the Internship Programme in Green Companies, whose aim is educating youth regarding Green Entrepreneurship. For this purpose, we were given a set of educational tools that allowed us to gain a broader knowledge regarding sustainable practices in the community, and also to have a new perspective on what is currently being done in the market by introducing us to brands and companies with sustainable principles.
Our final balance is very positive since we have acquired a broader knowledge of the theme of sustainability in a business context, specific practices implemented in the businesses, and strategies to promote their brands, among others. Alongside it, it also allowed us to rethink some daily actions and consumerism habits, whilst giving us some new ideas and alternatives.
The dissemination and direct contact with practical realities with companies such as Re-store, EcoBiozon, and sustainable buildings such as Porto Business School, was also crucial to give us new perspectives in the area of sustainability, namely in the social pillar.
Overall this internship, and CARE project in its complexity, allowed us to raise awareness about the importance of creating companies with sustainable values and principles as well as implementing these values in existing companies and in our daily routine. It is important for companies to work towards reducing their ecological footprint and implementing fair remuneration for their employees without neglecting the economic side.
The creation of this type of projects and initiatives must be encouraged since it is becoming increasingly urgent to educate young entrepreneurs with a main focus on sustainability.