Effective Ways to Build a Sustainable Workplace
Businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint as the world becomes more aware of the effects of climate change. In our article, Differentiating Your Business with Carbon Offsets, we quoted a recent survey by McKinsey Global that found 83% of C-suite leaders and investment professionals believe ESG programs will generate more shareholder value in five years than they do today.
Understanding that most decision-makers see value in ESG programs should be a key motivation in creating a more sustainable business and carbon offset strategy.
In previous articles, we discussed general ways to achieve this. In this new series on ‘Creating a Carbon Offset Strategy for Your Business’, we will dive into specific steps to create and maintain a carbon offset strategy. In this article, we review top tips for building a sustainable workplace.
Starting at this level is an easy way to get started. Additionally, promoting sustainability in the workplace has benefits beyond reducing environmental impact; it can also positively affect your bottom line and employee morale.
Go Digital
One of the easiest ways to promote sustainability in the workplace is to go paperless. Reducing paper usage can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and save money on supplies. Encourage your team to adopt digital ‘first’ communication methods like email or group messaging platforms like Slack. Utilizing online document-sharing tools for collaboration, like Google Drive and Dropbox, can significantly reduce the amount of paper used while increasing productivity and efficiency.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Technology
Investing in energy-efficient technology is another effective way to promote sustainability in the workplace. Switching to LED lighting, for example, can reduce energy consumption and costs. Similarly, investing in energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators and computers can help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money in the long run.
Conduct an energy audit to identify improvement areas and prioritize the most impactful changes.
Encourage Sustainable Commuting
Encouraging sustainable commuting is another excellent way to promote sustainability in the workplace. Consider incentives for employees who walk, bike, or use public transportation to get to work. You could also establish a carpooling program or offer electric vehicle charging stations. These efforts will reduce your carbon footprint, improve employee well-being, and reduce traffic congestion around your workplace.
Recycle – Reduce – Reuse
Implementing a waste reduction program is an effective way to promote sustainability in the workplace. Set up recycling stations throughout your workplace and encourage employees to recycle paper, plastic, and other materials. You could also establish composting programs for food waste and encourage employees to bring their reusable cups and containers to reduce single-use plastics.
Educate and Engage Employees
Lastly, educating and engaging your employees about the importance of sustainability in the workplace is crucial. Host workshops or training sessions on sustainable practices and encourage employees to share their ideas and initiatives. By fostering a culture of sustainability, you can improve your environmental impact and create a more engaged and motivated workforce.
Take The First Steps In Building A Carbon Neutral Business
Promoting sustainability in the workplace is not only the responsible thing to do, but it also makes good business sense. By going paperless, investing in energy-efficient technology, encouraging sustainable commuting, implementing a waste reduction program, and educating and engaging employees, you can significantly impact your environmental footprint, attract and retain top talent, and save money in the long run.
Remember, every little bit helps, and by taking small steps, we can all contribute to creating a more sustainable business & future.
In Part Two we have a Q & A with our Carbon Offset Strategy expert Jeff Hershey.
