When a company’s culture places sustainability at the forefront, employees are more likely to adopt sustainable habits and behaviors, as sustainable initiatives and behaviors are emphasized through visible commitments, like, for example, setting measurable environmental, social or governance goals.
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The link between sustainability and company culture
Company culture refers to the unique blend of values, beliefs, practices, and norms that shape how employees think, feel, and act within an organization. It not only reflects a company’s core identity but it also serves as a guide for day-to-day interactions, decisions, and behaviors of everyone involved.
Culture is more than a statement on a website or a set of policies, it’s the “feel” of a company, built through shared experiences and upheld by collective commitment. A strong, positive culture is one that can provide employees with a sense of belonging and purpose.
But what makes (and shapes) a company’s culture? Well, there are several key elements that play a role in this; on the one hand, leadership is an incredibly significant influence, as leaders set the tone through their actions, priorities, and communication.
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Policies also help establish cultural norms, especially when they reinforce the company’s mission and vision statements, which serve as guiding principles for decision-making and strategic planning. And last, but not least, the workplace environment can create an atmosphere that either reinforces or detracts from the intended culture.
Each of these elements contributes to an ecosystem where values like sustainability can either thrive or be overlooked, depending on how deeply they are integrated into the cultural fabric.
How company culture shapes employees' sustainable behaviors
In this context, it’s easy to understand how it is company culture that significantly shapes how employees perceive and prioritize sustainability by influencing everything from the small choices they make each day to the broader strategies they support.
When a company’s culture places sustainability at the forefront, employees are more likely to adopt sustainable habits and behaviors, as sustainable initiatives and behaviors are emphasized through visible commitments, like, for example, setting measurable environmental, social or governance goals.
This reinforces a collective mindset where employees view sustainable actions as not only something that is openly encouraged but something that is actively expected.
On the contrary, if sustainability is a lesser focus within the organizational culture, employees may overlook these practices or view them as secondary. This happens when sustainability is treated as an afterthought or is isolated from daily operations, making employees loose motivation or a sense of responsibility to prioritize such practices.
All in all, company culture can significantly reinforce or discourage sustainable practices by establishing the norms and values that employees internalize and act upon.
How to put sustainability at the forefront of company culture
To truly place sustainability at the forefront of a company’s culture, it’s essential to create a supportive environment where sustainability is consistently prioritized and embedded into every aspect of the organization.
This requires intentional actions and alignment from leadership, clear policies, and a workplace environment that encourages sustainable behaviors. Here are three key ways to drive sustainability within company culture:
Leadership Commitment
Leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for sustainability within the organization. When executives and managers lead by example, making sustainable decisions in their day-to-day actions, it reinforces the idea that sustainability is a priority. Leaders can advocate for sustainability in company communications, allocate resources to green initiatives, and actively support employee engagement in sustainability efforts.
Embedding sustainability across the organization
Clear policies and incentives
Establishing and communicating clear sustainability policies helps employees understand what is expected and why it matters. These policies can include guidelines for reducing waste, encouraging energy-saving practices, or training in governance good practices. Additionally, offering incentives or recognition for employees who contribute to sustainability initiatives can further motivate employees to embrace sustainable practices as part of their routine.
Workplace Environment
Creating a workplace environment that prioritizes sustainability involves fostering a sense of community and shared purpose around sustainable goals. This can be achieved by building spaces, both digital and conversational, where employees feel empowered to share ideas, discuss challenges, and collaborate on sustainability initiatives. For example, using an app or platform dedicated to sustainability allows employees to easily connect, brainstorm, and celebrate progress together.
By nurturing this mental environment, companies create a collective commitment to sustainability, making it a shared priority that naturally integrates into daily work and decision-making.
The need to transform sustainability into a daily practice
Embedding sustainability as a daily practice within company culture is essential for making meaningful, long-term environmental and social impact. When sustainability becomes a natural part of employees’ everyday actions and decisions, guided by supportive leadership, clear policies, and a workplace that reflects these values, it moves beyond a corporate goal to a shared commitment.
This alignment between culture and sustainability not only strengthens the company’s contributions to global challenges but also fosters a sense of purpose and engagement among employees, who see their efforts as part of a larger, positive impact.
By making sustainability a core aspect of the culture, companies empower employees to make a difference every day, creating a ripple effect that benefits the business, the community, and the environment.
Empowering employees to implement sustainability strategies
In DoGood, we aim to simplify the complex web of sustainability objectives for companies by offering a platform that translates the high-level ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives into actionable tasks for every single employee.
Then, each employee not only knows how to make an impact but also feels empowered to contribute meaningfully to the greater sustainable strategy.
No more vague directives. No confusion. DoGood automates the process, making it seamless for the workforce to know precisely what steps to take.
