Making people the solution to your corporate sustainability challenges

When identifying and hitting corporate sustainability targets, organisations have more avenues to explore than ever before. Within those organisations, business leaders are increasingly accepting their responsibility to tackle the climate crisis.

But more than that, leaders must ensure that the people they work with play their part. Engaging the power, knowledge and passion of the workforce is crucial if we are to be successful. As a leader, your workers should be a vital part of any corporate sustainability strategy.

In this blog, we’ll see what you can do to empower them to make a positive impact.

How organisations can harness its people in corporate responsibility and sustainability

1. Build upon shifts in workforce behaviour 

Environmental sustainability practices can align with some existing changes to your business model. For example: embracing hybrid working can support sustainable business goals. 

Introduce hybrid working practices 

According to a Office of Rail and Road report, the UK is approaching pre-pandemic levels of commuting. The number of train passengers per month is around 90% compared to 2019. Similarly, a TFL report shows that the London Underground is at around 84% of 2019 commuter levels. What does this show us? While commuting has increased since the pandemic, remote working has had a lasting effect.  

You can contribute to this trend. A hybrid working model helps travel emissions. Reduce the number of journeys your employees make while offering the benefits of remote working. Little changes like hybrid working can contribute towards corporate sustainability. Try to identify where meetings could be conducted virtually or seek opportunities to carpool and take public transport. 

Encourage more sustainable energy usage when working from home 

Of course, there are potential trade-offs. We are now powering offices and our homes simultaneously. Directly influencing your employees’ energy usage at home is more challenging, but you can educate and encourage people to introduce their own energy efficiency measures.  

2. Engage employees in sustainability

In some instances, your workers may be cautious about adapting.  Yet, there are positive signs that workforce attitudes toward the environment are changing. A Hays LinkedIn poll from 2022 showed that two-thirds of respondents consider an organisation’s sustainability goals when choosing to work for them.  

This applies, in particular, to the next generation of workers. Deloitte’s annual Global Millennial and Gen Z Survey showed that climate change ranks highly on their list of concerns. At the same time, a recent LinkedIn report highlighted a 12.4% year-on-year growth in green skills in 2023. 

Maintain transparent corporate sustainability reporting 

Strong leadership plays an important role, too. Employees are increasingly aware of token gestures or “greenwashing”. If you fall into this trap, you risk missing out on attracting and retaining talent.  

It’s essential not to risk driving away people who can improve your business. Seek to engage employees who could lead the initiatives that deliver on your corporate sustainability goals. Share sustainability and social impact reports to open a two-way conversation with your team. 

3. Grow your green workforce 

Finally, many organisations are seeking experienced practitioners in ESG and sustainability. They need the skills that will help them thrive in the fast-expanding green economy.  

But supply does not add up to demand. The same LinkedIn report found that, while the number of candidates with green skills is increasing, demand for those skills is growing faster still. The report concluded: “Most jobs requiring green skills are not traditional green jobs”. In other words, we are seeing a trend that could lead to the current workforce being left behind. 

Upskill your current workforce 

One option is to upskill the current workforce. UK-based think tank Green Alliance recommend: “While the majority of green skills will be delivered by those entering the labour market for the first time, some will need to be developed by existing workers. [Focus on upskilling] around techniques, technologies or materials, even if [employees] remain working in the same industry”.  

Your company should support and offer resources to employees who want to learn green skills. By investing in employees and their upskilling, you can motivate them and inspire loyalty. 

Recruit from environmentally and socially sustainable businesses  

If you’re instead looking to hire, an alternative option is to recruit people with transferable skills. Look for those with green skills in other fields. For example, LinkedIn found that people who had worked in the growing sustainable fashion industry had begun moving into different sectors. This migration of transferable skills is happening in significant numbers. Consider recruiting beyond your industry to support your corporate sustainability. 

Get corporate sustainability right 

Engaging your people in corporate responsibility and sustainability will take time and investment. Still, it presents an opportunity for your company to explore the possibilities of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.  

If we collectively achieve sustainability goals, it will be worthwhile. We must all take responsibility to reach the aims of the Paris Agreement. Together we can secure global Net Zero by mid-century and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. But you’ll need your team to help you get there. 

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