For the vast majority of businesses, environmental and/or social sustainability is integral to their purpose, writes Kyle Durham, Head of Sustainable Finance and ESG Solutions at FNB. And if it isn’t, it probably should be, given the sustainable development imperative facing the planet right now. But even if your purpose as a business isn’t directly linked to sustainability, involving your employees in the sustainability practices of your organisation is not only a moral imperative, but also makes sound business sense.
For starters, such inclusion in sustainability practices can deliver long-term cost savings for the business through more efficient energy consumption and waste management practices. Sustainability is also a direct bottom line consideration, given that many customers are prepared to pay a premium for products and services that are sustainable, or come from a company known for its sustainable development commitments.
Beyond the financial incentives, though, research has shown that providing employees with opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable world can enhance overall employee engagement and have a positive knock-on effect on motivation, productivity, and retention levels.
Becoming known as an employer that gives its people opportunities to contribute to a better word is also a great way to enhance your appeal as an employer of choice. This is extremely important given the global battle for talent and the difficulties many small and medium enterprises experience in terms of attracting the best people because they simply can’t offer the same benefits as their larger counterparts.
Many employees today are prepared to accept fewer financial benefits in exchange for the opportunity to derive real meaning and purpose from the work they do.
Then, of course, there’s arguably the most compelling reason of all for getting your employees involved in sustainability, which is that doing so allows your business to increase the amount of good it is doing for the planet and its people. Many large businesses invest millions into supporting the sustainability efforts of other organisations, which is both noble and necessary.
However, if they are overlooking the massive sustainability resource they have under their own roof – their staff – they are missing an opportunity to enhance their contribution to protecting and improving the world. While few SMEs have the financial means to donate to sustainable causes, they do have the non-financial resources to make a difference. And if they’re failing to do that, they’re also missing a valuable opportunity to grow their own business in the process.
The challenge, of course, is how best to operationalise sustainability in a way that enables employee participation. This is especially difficult for the smaller business that already has so much to do simply to stay competitive and profitable. Many large companies still grapple with the problem of linking the values of their employees to their company purpose and operations. In this regard, the adage of ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ undoubtedly applies.
There are countless ways of starting your inclusive sustainability journey, from encouraging or incentivising employees to adopt sustainable practices into their own lives, drawing up sustainability policies and guidelines, or providing training and awareness, to appointing sustainability champions, ensuring open communication for employees to give their ideas and input, and harnessing sustainability activities as team-building initiatives.
The possibilities are endless. All that’s required is a recognition of the importance of involving your employees in sustainability, an understanding of the value inherent in doing so, and the will to make sustainability a core and practical part of your employee value proposition.