
Sustainable Business Model Canvas
The SBMC integrates ecological and social sustainability into business models – practical & actionable.

Why SBMC?
Traditional business models often approach value creation from a one-dimensional, financial perspective. The Sustainable Business Model Canvas (SBMC) expands this view by integrating ecological and social sustainability into your business model – in a structured, practical, and actionable way.
Key Benefits:
Competitive advantage through credible sustainability
Access to ESG investors and public funding
Risk mitigation and opportunity identification (e.g., circular economy models)
Enhanced brand trust and employee retention
Future-proofing through regulatory and stakeholder alignment
SBMC Implementation: Step-by-Step
1. Analyze Your Current Model
Load your existing Business Model Canvas (BMC)
For each block, evaluate:
Where are the environmental impacts?
What are the social implications (positive or negative)?
→ Use tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), stakeholder mapping, and supply chain audits.
2. Engage Stakeholders
Identify key actors (employees, customers, suppliers)
Conduct workshops or interviews to explore:
Expectations around sustainability
Suggestions or concerns related to change
3. Fill in the Canvas (Triple Layer Approach)
Use a Triple Layer Business Model Canvas:
Economic Layer: What remains? Where are cost-saving or revenue opportunities?
Environmental Layer: Which materials, processes, or logistics can be optimized?
Social Layer: How to enhance working conditions, equity, or community impact?
4. Define Levers & Actions
Identify 2–3 Quick Wins and 1–2 Strategic Levers per layer
Assign responsibilities and set KPIs
5. Pilot & Measure
Test 1–2 initiatives on a small scale (e.g., specific product line or market)
Monitor KPIs: e.g., customer satisfaction, material savings, emissions
Adjust based on results and stakeholder feedback
6. Scale & Communicate
Roll out successful changes across the organization
Report transparently (Impact Reports, certifications, storytelling)
Use the SBMC as a visual tool in pitches, funding applications, and partnerships
Sustainable Business Model Canvas - Quick guide
