A corporate sustainability culture is about engaging employees in the sustainability targets of the company, but, most importantly, it is an strategic move towards a better way of doing business.
Sustainability is no longer an option, and many companies and organizations find themselves wanting to become more responsible; and sometimes, it is legislation that actually asks for such social and environmental responsibility from them.
This is where the idea of a corporate sustainability culture comes in, as a way of understanding workplace etiquette, decision making and every day tasks through the lenses of sustainability.
Only when companies are able to incorporate sustainability on every level and corner of the organization can sustainability targets and goals be met and keep on improving through the commitment of every employee.
Why focus on creating a corporate sustainability culture?
The idea of a culture of sustainability being prioritized or planned out as part of company goals is not necessarily the most popular, but it is nonetheless worth taking note of its benefits.
In order to become a sustainable company, the changes do not solely need to come from top management; it is a much more intricate and complex behavioral challenge, where the way things are done needs to be reimagined throughout the entire organization’s chart.
To put it simply, the change in direction an organization takes to become more sustainable will be more powerful and successful when the very people who make up the organization are in line and proactive to carry out such changes.
Engage employees in the sustainability strategy
How to create a culture of sustainability among employees
It is important to remember that when managing a company, we are also managing people, and so their engagement and understanding of company goals and overall strategy is crucial for its success.
This is why the main and most important thing to do to create and build a sustainability culture is to engage employees in the sustainability strategy of the company, but how?
Provide sustainable knowledge
Although sustainability is widely spoken about and has gained huge popularity in recent years, not everyone understands the entirety of its implications.
With a broad tendency to think solely in terms of environmental actions, employees may feel lost and poorly engaged in most aspects of sustainability. For this reason, sustainability training is key.
It is quite difficult to change ones behavior if we do not first change our mindset. Having good and strong access to sustainability information and training is the first step into creating a culture of sustainability.
Find the right tools
It comes without saying how companies can struggle to find the time or resources to carry out such training, actions, follow-ups etc. That is why finding the right tools can ease out the process for creating a sustainable culture inside the company.
Technology can be a great ally for this, as there are many different tools and softwares in the market that can boost sustainability initiatives and behaviors in organizations.
Sustainability softwares or technological tools can bring many benefits, for example, a deeper understanding of the state sustainability, cost savings, revenue potential, and most importantly, employee engagement.
Encourage proactivity among employees
There is no sustainability culture without employees’ proactivity and engagement. They are the ones who can truly foster more sustainable behaviors and, as a consequence, a working culture that has environmental and social sustainability in its core.
Making them aware of sustainability and giving them the access to tools and knowledge they can apply in their day to day tasks, is what will eventually make sustainability and intrinsic part of decision making.
Using technology to create a strong sustainability culture
We believe that employees are far from being indifferent from participation in sustainable efforts, and actually look for the opportunity to be actively engaged and find purpose in having a positive impact through their jobs.
That is why through our technology we work to activate and track employees’ impact, creating engagement that translates into improved ESG metrics, reputational value and an overall positive impact for the environment and society.
Because the workplace can in fact become the perfect environment to find that collective eagerness to make a difference, both for the sustainability and purpose of the company and a more sustainable way of being for all.
