By Ella Harrison
In mid-April, over 1,000 scientists from 25 different countries staged protests following the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s new report. The report noted that rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions must be done by 2025 to avoid catastrophic climate effects. The Scientist Rebellion group criticized how current actions and plans are already inadequate, and even these obligations are yet to be met by governments, institutions, and corporations. For businesses, there isn’t much to lose by investing in these green initiatives. An article on the profitability of going ‘green’ from Entrepreneur highlights certain benefits: savings on operating budgets by as much as 60%, tax credits and rebates from the federal government, improved hiring practices, to name a few. Moreover, it’s easier for corporations to cinch brand loyalty from eco-conscious consumers. As a feature on putting a human face to sustainability by LHH highlights, the lack of connection between climate policies and workforce goals represents an opportunity for employers to be proactive for their competitive advantage. Environmental sustainability goals are not in conflict with job creation. Rather, businesses are now expected by buyers to elevate their dialogue around environmental, social, and corporate goals for a truly green transition. Here are some ways you can move towards a people-centric, sustainable business transition:
Get your employees involved
Job seekers are increasingly attracted to companies that care for the environment. In fact, millennials and Gen Zs are more concerned about the planet than previous generations, and factor these values when choosing their employers. To start going green, it’s important to involve all your teams in more eco-conscious behaviors and strategies. You can’t be fully sustainable unless everyone — from CEO to intern — is working for green initiatives. One thing you can do to drive involvement is to ask staff and vendors to share ideas on how to improve the company’s sustainability. Evaluate feasibility, before implementing the most impactful and promising plans. You can also brainstorm incentives for employees to commit to green practices both inside and outside the office.
Create a waste-free culture
In our recent post called ‘Earth Day is Everyday’, we talked about how helping the planet starts by becoming more aware of what we’re personally putting into the atmosphere. Our mindset and intentions should focus on curbing waste. Daily habits often involve wasting paper, electricity, and water; dry waste is often produced from single-use plastics and individually packaged products. Businesses should look into daily staff habits and provide alternatives. Digitizing paper files, buying recyclable supplies, and encouraging staff to bring their own reusable items can help. You can also set up systems for recycling and composting as well. The point is to offer green alternatives so you can have a more sustainable culture.
Offer green commuting initiatives
A feature on sustainable commuting from the BOSS Magazine notes that transportation accounts for 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses can help reduce pollution by supporting employees to have a greener commute. Some ideas to consider include:
- Organizing a carpool system
- Investing in electric company vehicles
- Providing a public transportation allowance
- Instituting remote work, hybrid work, or flexible work policies
- Working with local transit programs to provide discounted transport passes
- Installing bike-friendly infrastructure, such as bicycle racks, showers, and lockers for gear
Promote sustainable projects
Participating in green activities can be a fun way to improve your business’s image, or even increase your standing within the community. You can promote Earth Day, sponsor events, and fund green research projects. Some companies also host donation drives, where they reduce waste like extra merchandise or old but usable supplies, electronics, and furniture to charities, schools, and community aid programs. If you have more time to plan, fundraising for an environmentally-friendly cause by hosting a walk-a-thon or community clean-up event can bolster your public image and increase team morale in one go.
Image by Paula Prekopova via Unsplash.com
