How to encourage your employer to prioritise sustainability and ESG
The close of COP29, the United Nations’ annual climate change conference, as well as recent changes, have once again made environmental sustainability a hot topic. This, along with the announcement that the EU are set to loosen existing regulations, has left many wondering whether we’re doing enough.
For most of us, our ability to make a meaningful impact comes when we work with others. One of the first places this can happen is in the workplace. Are your employers committed to sustainability, or just talking the talk? The unfortunate truth is that, sometimes, the focus on hitting financial targets or cutting costs can lead to neglecting environmental issues.
As an employee, you can help to move things in the right direction. Maybe your company is just starting out with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Perhaps they’ve got a plan that recently stalled. Or maybe your organisation is actively pursuing corporate sustainability, but you still feel that the company could do more.
No matter the situation, you can make a difference. Let’s look at a few ways you can encourage your company to prioritise ESG.
Why ESG and sustainability goals matter for business
Evolving regulatory landscape
New and evolving regulations mean that many businesses are being impacted. Whether organisations are directly impacted, or whether the changes are happening in their supply chain, increased reporting means that they must take action or face penalties.
ESG is good for staff engagement
Employees want to feel part of a company that works for good. In fact, one of our LinkedIn polls showed that 61% of respondents prioritise working for a sustainable business. Gen Z employees are also more likely to engage at work where they feel they have a purpose.
Sustainable initiatives are good for business
A Financial Times piece showed that companies that do well in sustainability reporting might retain customers for longer. Whilst companies who ignore sustainable business practices can seriously harm their reputation
ESG initiatives are good for the world
Above all, everybody needs to contribute to net zero, cutting carbon emissions where possible. Recent extreme weather conditions such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires and droughts are making front page news and negatively impacting citizens across the globe.
How to make a positive impact on your company’s ESG goals
1. Understand your organisation’s existing ESG performance
Before you suggest new ESG practices, it’s a good idea to understand where your company currently stands. Some businesses are transparent. Yours may already publish ESG reports that show their goals and progress. Others might not — and that’s an excellent chance to step in.
First, look into existing reports, disclosures or sustainability claims. If you can’t find anything, try speaking with HR or management. Ask directly what your company is doing to meet its climate-related metrics.
This proactive approach will get the conversation started. Plus, once you understand your current ESG strategies, you’ll be in a better position to suggest changes.
2. Look at competitors
Once you’ve assessed your own organisation’s progress, it’s time to find out what you can about their competitors. Doing this will not only give you inspiration for ways your employer can make changes, but will also prove that it can be done. It’s also an effective way to motivate decision makers, since they won’t want to be seen as falling behind – especially when clients and other business partners are choosing who to work with and invest in.
3. Start with small changes towards sustainable business practices
You don’t need to suggest massive overhauls right away. In fact, if you try to change everything all at once, you’re less likely to be successful. The key at first is to find easy wins that won’t overwhelm but will still make a positive environmental impact.
For example, a Deloitte report showed that seven in 10 employees would like to see their company reduce waste. Could your office do this by improving lighting or power usage? Is your team using a lot of paper or plastic? Over time, smaller changes will make a big difference.
Remember, when you make your suggestions, it’s important to connect them to the business. Highlight the benefits for the company, such as:
- saving on energy bill
- motivating staff
- simply performing better towards existing ESG factors.
4. Ask for transparency
It’s not uncommon for companies to make claims without showing the numbers. This approach is known as greenwashing. So, if you’re serious about making a difference, transparency should be a priority.
When you speak to those in charge, encourage them to set measurable goals for sustainability and report on them regularly. A company’s ESG goals could be as simple as tracking energy usage, waste reduction or carbon emissions, depending on your suggestions. Having the data will help them to prove their progress to staff and clients.
5. Talk to your colleagues
Of course, bringing awareness to ESG issues and introducing new strategies can be difficult. Often, you might not be able to change policies on your own. That’s where getting your colleagues on board and pointing towards societal pressures can make a difference.
Do you work for a big company? Then why not start a sustainability group? If you’re lucky enough to have one already, join in. Having a team of employees who are passionate about these issues might be enough to make leadership take notice.
As an employee, asking questions and raising issues will invariably lead to you and your group being asked to take on some of the responsibility. Why accept this? Think of it as an opportunity to develop your green skills in an area where there’s currently a notable gap. In exchange, try to secure some small investment in resources, whether that be learning and development, or a mentorship scheme.
Final comments
Remember, it’s important to recognise that not everyone will be on board immediately. Understandably, those under pressure with their own KPIs might only be interested in financial performance. That’s when framing ESG in terms of business benefits is so important.
With the right ideas, focus and approach, your case for getting your company to prioritise sustainability and ESG will be hard to ignore.
Read more about how you can drive a commitment to sustainability at work:
Author
Kirsty has around 20 years’ experience as a senior corporate sustainability professional shaping strategy and working on a breadth of ESG issues. Key areas of experience include climate action, sustainability communications and disclosures, social impact as well as business and human rights. Prior to joining Hays, Kirsty worked at the leading UK commercial law firm Burges Salmon LLP and before that Imperial Brands PLC where as Group Head of Corporate Responsibility she was responsible for formulating and deploying global strategy and worked in multi-stakeholder partnerships to address sustainability issues in the supply chain, particularly in Sub-Sahara Africa. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (FICRS), the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (FIEMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD).