Ecosystem-centric business continuity planning (eco-centric BCP): A post COVID19 new normal

Prog Disaster Sci. 2020 Oct:7:100117. doi: 10.1016/j.pdisas.2020.100117. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Abstract

This article views the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity leading to a significant reduction in pollution levels, clean waters in rivers, improved visibility, and other tangible benefit to humanity and the environment. In Post-COVID scenario, to restore the margins and regain the lost production, industries are likely to increase their production leading to a quantum jump in the pollution levels. Having precedence of such a scenario in 2008-09, this article looks at what are the possible avenues to engage the city government and business houses through an a new normal ECO-BCP concept for long term sustainability. All economic stimulus needs to be tied down with the stringent reduction in the emission norms. The Ten Principles for the Eco-centric BCP guide the reopening of MSMEs after lockdown period called to check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eco-centric BCP model will help the MSMEs to adopt the new-normal business strategies to align with the country-specific commitments to SDGs, SFDRR and Paris declaration.

Keywords: COVID-19 recovery; ECO-centric-business continuity plan (BCP); MSME (micro small medium enterprises); New normal.