Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
We have passed the point where empty promises are sufficient. Goals are great, but they mean nothing when they are not coupled with a well-thought-out plan of action. True progress lies in when a goal and intentional work are done to meet that goal. Your company has the power to shift climate mitigation towards progress or regression. In this blog post, we will be highlighting the current trends of corporate sustainability and outlining the way your company can make a real difference.
Here in the United States, one would think that climate mitigation has taken a major hit. While it is true that the current political climate is hindering our progress, it’s not all bad. In fact, despite the ability to walk away from climate progress, Project Drawdown has found that about 80% of companies plan to maintain or improve their sustainability initiatives. This is great to hear, but who is keeping them accountable? How can the average consumer determine whether a company’s sustainability goals are a meaningless facade or a true testament to the company’s dedication to climate progress? The truth can be found in the results. Consumers should research whether companies are meeting their sustainability goals or just making empty promises. According to a study done by Accenture in 2024, only about 16% of large global companies will meet their net-zero goals by 2050.
If companies are struggling to follow through on their climate promises, what is halting their progress, and how can those blockers be addressed? According to Project Drawdown, factors that limit the impact sustainability departments can make include limited budget, increased political tension around climate issues and burnout. A simple and effective way to mitigate these issues is by encouraging all departments and all individual employees to become involved in a company’s climate goals. By doing so, you not only distribute the workload but also tap into a wider pool of ideas and solutions. One person or one department cannot shoulder this burden alone. Everyone in your company must be committed to your sustainability goals, or very little progress will be made. No longer can climate action be thought of as a one-person or one department issue because the truth is everyone is at fault and therefore responsible for being part of the solution.
Companies must start thinking of sustainable action as a necessity instead of an opportunity for good press. We are all inhabitants of planet Earth, and as such, we have a responsibility to leave this planet better than we found it. This desire for the preservation of the natural world should be evident in all aspects of our lives, especially the most impactful ones, like the workplace. It is a privilege to fight for a planet that offers so much to our daily lives. When we shift our mindset, we can start picturing climate action as a necessity and a privilege instead of an inconvenient obligation.
How the Younger Generation Is Poised to Drive Climate Action
According to Pew Research Center’s report titled “How Americans’ attitudes about climate change differ by generation, party and other factors” by Cary Funk, Millennials and Gen Z employees tend to express a deeper concern for climate issues than older employees. This is a great sign. This signifies that a new wave of employee engagement is upon us. These working individuals hold embedded sustainability as a top priority in their workplace. They are more likely to advocate for sustainability initiatives and protest against harmful practices. This is important because employees are the backbone of any company. This newfound commitment to sustainability has the potential to shift company priorities.
This new wave of passionate workers is a silver lining in all the confusion around how to incorporate sustainability into the workplace. We can remain hopeful that as the need for climate protection increases, the people ready and interested in taking action will be available. Climate action is no longer a distant concern, its effects are observable in our backyards. Here in the United States, the impact of climate breakdown has been evident. With unusually devastating weather events, we are witnessing the life-threatening impact of a changing climate. During these events, your workforce is less likely to be able to show up for work and climate risk assessments are becoming more common. That is why, now more than ever, encouraging every employee to participate in sustainability initiatives is extremely important.
Individual Action is Key to Our Collective Success
As mentioned earlier, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly detrimental. People are beginning to realise that we can no longer rely on people in power to make the change we hope to see. The responsibility falls onto us. This is where individual action comes into play. Pew Research Center’s study by Cary Funk found that 32% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials have personally contributed to climate action. Every employee can contribute to our sustainability goals. Whether or not you give them the resources they need to succeed is up to you.
JouleBug offers an easy-to-use mobile app where your employees and peers can record sustainable actions in real time. This platform guides individuals to develop sustainable habits through inspiring and educational content. You have the power to tailor company-wide challenges to meet your sustainability goals authentically. While we advocate for policy change, we can take action to limit our personal impact. Ultimately, our goal should be to leave this planet better than we found it. Individual action is the first step in ensuring a healthy future for generations to come.
Ignorance Isn’t Always Bliss
As mentioned earlier, encouraging studies have shown that many companies plan to continue or improve their sustainability initiatives and the newer generation of employees is more likely to prioritize sustainable practices in the workplace. However, it is evident that despite the desire to make an impact, companies are struggling to follow through on their promises.
Our planet requires immediate action. The easiest way to increase your company’s impact is by engaging your entire workforce. Whether an employee resides in your “sustainability department” or not, they are contributing to your Scope 3 emissions, thus your overall environmental impact. Scope 3 emissions refer to all the indirect ways your company contributes to the production of greenhouse gases. These can include the emissions from your supply chain, business travel, and even the use of your products by consumers. For example, material manufacturing and consumer use of a product are not associated with the central business but contribute to its Scope 3 emissions.
Just as every department is necessary for a company to function, every department’s participation in sustainability initiatives is needed to reach your climate goals. The key is education. When an employee is aware of their personal impact, it is natural for them to want to contribute to the reduction. You can utilize JouleBug to educate all of your employees on their individual contribution to your Scope 3 emissions and brainstorm targeted ways to reduce your company’s overall impact.
JouleBug engages employees from all departments and career levels to participate in the climate strategy. The mobile app allows individuals to learn about their environmental impact in all aspects of their daily life. As a business owner or employer committed to meeting your sustainability goals, you can utilize JouleBug as a launch pad to spark company-wide passion for sustainability. A team working towards a common goal can make a larger impact than individual employees or even individual departments.
With some political leaders refusing to acknowledge the severity of climate change, it can be easy to be discouraged from participating in climate action. However, it is in times like these that passionate individuals must stand firm in their values and continue pushing for stricter environmental protections. Change will come when people decide that the health of our planet is more valuable than capital gain. We hope you choose action over ignorance.
Here are five actions to get your company and its people moving:
- Engage your team in building a culture of sustainability by sponsoring Employee (Environmental) Resource Groups, amplifying sustainability initiatives and creating a space for ideation and innovation.
- Conduct audits of your facilities to pinpoint efficiency upgrades, electrification opportunities, or selections of renewable energy sources.
- Minimize and redirect office waste by adopting reusable or compostable dishware, refillable and recycled office supplies, and incorporating trash sorting to include composting.
- Hold sustainability challenges around global events like World Environment Day on June 5th, Plastic Free July, or NYC Climate Week in September.
Reach out to the JouleBug team today to explore innovative ways to use the app to drive impactful sustainability initiatives across your organization.