Which benefit is NOT associated with integrating sustainability into business processes?

Integrating sustainability into business processes is generally aimed at achieving various strategic benefits that enhance overall business performance, stakeholder trust, and operational efficiency. One significant aspect of sustainability integration is its capability to strengthen stakeholder relationships. When businesses commit to sustainable practices, they enhance transparency and trust with consumers, employees, and investors, leading to improved engagement and loyalty.

Another advantage is improving policy compliance. By adopting sustainable practices, companies can better adhere to existing regulations and avoid potential legal issues, thus ensuring they meet or exceed governmental and industry standards.

Identifying new markets and efficiency gains is another positive outcome of sustainability integration. Businesses that focus on sustainability often discover innovative opportunities, whether through new eco-friendly products or streamlined operations that minimize waste and reduce costs.

In contrast to these benefits, increasing production costs does not align with the common goals of sustainability integration. While initial investments may be necessary to transition towards sustainable practices, the long-term focus typically shifts towards reducing operational costs, waste, and inefficiencies. Therefore, claiming that integrating sustainability results in increased production costs does not reflect the overall benefits that such practices can yield for a business in a holistic sense.