Frequently Asked Questions: Footprint, Handprint, and Net Positive Business
Comprehensive expert answers on Footprint, Handprint, Net Positive Business, Regenerative Strategy, and organizational transformation with Dr. Veeranut Rojanaprapa.
What is the difference between Footprint and Handprint?
Footprint refers to the negative impacts generated by an organization and should be reduced as much as possible, including carbon emissions, waste, resource consumption, and social harm. Handprint refers to the positive impacts an organization intentionally creates, such as restoring ecosystems, improving quality of life, or developing technologies that enable others to reduce negative impacts and generate greater positive value.
What is Net Positive Business?
Net Positive Business is an approach in which a company seeks to create more positive impact for society, nature, and the economy than the negative impacts generated by its operations. It begins with reducing avoidable harm rather than using positive initiatives to disguise or compensate for problems in the core business.
How is Regenerative Business different from Sustainability?
Sustainability often focuses on reducing negative impacts and preserving resources so they remain available over time. Regenerative Business goes further by designing businesses that actively restore, strengthen, and increase the capacity of the social and natural systems on which they depend.
Is reducing Carbon Footprint enough to become a Regenerative Business?
No. Reducing Carbon Footprint is an important foundation, but Regenerative Business must consider multiple dimensions of impact, including climate, nature, resources, people, communities, and economic systems. It must also create a Positive Handprint that can expand alongside business growth.
How can an organization start creating a Handprint?
Organizations can begin by examining their Core Competencies and Business Model and asking which social or environmental systems those capabilities could help improve or regenerate. They can then develop Products, Services, Technologies, Partnerships, and Business Models that allow positive impacts to grow together with the business.
Who can help organizations develop a Regenerative Business Strategy?
Developing a Regenerative Business Strategy requires the integration of Strategy, Sustainability, Innovation, Business Transformation, and Systems Thinking. Dr. Mai works in the field of Regenerative Economy and organizational transformation, connecting these concepts with strategic challenges faced by executives and organizations seeking to move from Sustainability toward Regenerative and Net Positive Business.