The World Economic Forum states: Sustainability has become increasingly critical for organisations to remain relevant and competitive in today’s world. However, much like digital transformation, driving sustainability requires organisations to transform every division of their business.
Although this may sound like a daunting task, the good news is that embedding sustainability into each department could transform your workforce.
A Deloitte survey of nearly 23,000 employees found that more than half (55%) of potential candidates research brands’ environmental impact and policies before accepting a job, and more than 40% report they already have – or plan to – change jobs due to climate concerns.
By integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of your organisation’s daily operations, culture and decision-making, companies can inspire both their potential and current employees, align roles with larger corporate goals and ignite a culture of innovation, accountability and unstoppable growth.
But how can businesses translate lofty sustainability goals into tangible actions that inspire their workforce?
Integrate sustainability into onboarding and employee education
Building a sustainability-driven workforce starts with embedding these principles into the onboarding process, as well as running ongoing training programs that equip employees with the knowledge to fully understand the organisation’s values. By providing employees with continual training and sharing the company’s environmental position, it ensures your workforce is equipped with future-ready green skills while also aligning new hires with your sustainability vision from day one.
Empowering employees to take ownership of sustainability within their roles is extremely impactful. By encouraging them to identify ways to reduce waste, adopt greener workflows, or champion sustainability initiatives within their teams, you can create a ripple effect of positive change that spreads across the organisation.
Create engagement through collaborative sustainability initiatives
Encouraging participation in green projects such as tree planting, carbon footprint reduction challenges and eco-volunteering can be both educational and rewarding team building activities. Organising practical, hands-on activities brings sustainability efforts to life for people and deepen employees’ connection to the Company. At HP, our volunteering programs allow teams to participate in projects such as community clean-ups or supporting eco-friendly initiatives, fostering teamwork, while reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability.
Last November, the HP UK&I office participated in a volunteering day in Manchester, working on projects like clearing pathways at Seashell Trust school, digging at Webb Lane Community Allotments, and litter picking in Deansgate. Activities like these are effective because they not only connect employees with sustainability on a practical level but also reinforce it as a shared commitment.
Meanwhile, employees from our Reading office routinely mentor young people leaving care in the London borough of Haringey, to support their transition into the workforce. This links into our HP Hope initiative, which provides refurbished devices to charities and social enterprises focused on education and digital skills for children. It makes technology more accessible to those who need it most, while at the same time extending its usability by giving it a second life.
It may be daunting to take those first steps to embed sustainability activities across teams within your business, but by embedding sustainability into their workforce strategy, organisations can future-proof their business, drive innovation and contribute to a greener planet.
