The growing reality of climate change and global heating, with changing weather patterns and rising temperatures, is a concern for all of us. With this in mind, below are seven practical things employers can consider to become a more sustainable workplace.
Set measurable, achievable, reviewable targets
Whether it’s to switch to greener energy, travel less (especially by car or plane), or use fewer plastics, the key is to be setting and communicating achievable goals and targets. So put in place a sustainable workplace strategy and if possible ensure someone senior has ‘ownership’ of its delivery.
Recognise it may be a case of incremental change initially, even small steps. But the key is to continue to move forwards, however slowly. It also makes sense to communicate the strategy to employees – and what they can do – and update regularly on progress. Show how what you are doing is making a meaningful difference over time.
Move to a sustainable procurement and circular economy outlook
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that involves moving from ‘take, make, waste’ to, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.
On top of this, more and more companies are now moving to sustainable procurement models and even stipulating this within any tendering process. This can mean that, not only are you ‘doing the right thing’ by switching to a circular economy/sustainable procurement model, you may be able to gain a competitive advantage as well.
Go digital first
Many businesses have now moved towards more hybrid working models. The logical progression is now to link this transition to sustainability as well as convenience and to go ‘digital first’. This doesn’t of course mean totally scrapping every face-to-face interaction, meeting or event. But rigorously interrogate whether travel is necessary, whether that event can work better digitally, whether that report really needs to be printed out and so on.
Do more to reduce plastics
Most offices and workplaces have recognised the environmental damage of single-use plastics and have drastically reduced their use in recent years. But recognise you can probably still go further with this.
For example, you could try switching to recyclable packaging rather than bubble wrap or start using envelopes that don’t need plastic windows. Take some time to do an audit of where plastics are still being used and whether these can be reduced or, even better, phased out.
Double down on reducing your energy use
With energy bills still well above pre-crisis levels, finding ways to cut energy and fuel costs remains a smart move for businesses. While market volatility continues to make switching providers a bit more complex, exploring greener or fixed-rate energy tariffs could offer both financial and environmental benefits – making it well worth considering.
You can also look at the obvious things like turning lights off, switching to more energy efficient LED lights (if you haven’t already – which can also be sensor controlled) and turning down the heating or air conditioning a notch or two.
Can you reduce your carbon footprint and CO2 emissions by encouraging employees into greener vehicles, perhaps through an electric vehicle-based company car scheme? Or perhaps by switching any company fleet either to electric or hybrid?
Also consider wider changes. Home and hybrid working has meant less use of offices and workspaces and can reduce the need for commuting or fuel use. If staff are working from home, encouraging them to insulate their homes can help to reduce their energy bills as well as CO2 emissions.
Involve your employees
Whether it’s promoting and supporting sustainability initiatives, cutting waste or encouraging greener commuting, bringing your employees with you is key.
It is about making your employees feel as engaged and passionate about sustainability as you are. There are some good practical tips that you can make your own here.
Embrace your community
Sustainability is not just about the global ‘stuff’; it can be local too. Embracing your community as an employer and encouraging volunteering, corporate social responsibility, and community engagement are all part of being a good, sustainable corporate ‘citizen’.
Volunteering and community engagement also has benefits in terms of bringing your brand or reputation closer to the communities you serve. It can give teams and employees a sense of purpose and instil new skills, confidence and responsibilities that they can then bring back into the workplace.
The experience of the pandemic meant volunteering and community engagement became much more important for many employees. This is something employers can build upon as part of their social responsibility.
Summary
Becoming more sustainable is better for the environment, better for your staff, better for your brand and reputation and, potentially, better for your bottom line too. Every little counts towards the combined effort of becoming a more sustainable country and planet.
Ref: WPW0332 This content was published September 2022
