Greening the Workplace
Only 14% of professionals feel that their employers are doing enough!
Recent research from specialist recruitment company Robert Walters sheds light on the pressing need for businesses to step up their efforts in combating climate change.
With only 14% of professionals feeling that their employers are doing enough, there's clearly room for improvement.
CEO of Robert Walters, Chris Eldridge highlights the urgency, noting that UK businesses contributed almost 19% of all carbon emissions in 2022 alone. It's evident that companies have a responsibility to reduce their environmental footprint and prioritise sustainability initiatives.
One concerning finding from the research is that only 48% of UK professionals believe their companies have clear, business-wide climate or sustainability targets.
This lack of clarity can hinder progress towards a greener future.
Moreover, the rise of greenwashing poses a challenge to genuine sustainability efforts. With the Competition and Markets Authority cracking down on unsubstantiated claims, it's essential for businesses to ensure their environmental commitments are genuine and transparent.
Recent government figures show that almost a fifth of all waste in the UK is generated by businesses
Whether that be plastic waste, food wastage from corporate events; or paper and electronic waste.
Physical waste is just the tip of the iceberg – there is also energy usage (lights, laptops, printers and other tech) and heating costs, to the Co2 production of long commutes and company travel abroad.
At Beechwood, we recognise the importance of fostering a sustainable workplace.
While only 19% of respondents to the Robert Walters poll believe their workplace is sustainable, there's a collective desire for improvement.
Half of professionals believe their employers should increase efforts to tackle climate change, signalling a growing awareness of environmental issues.
In light of Earth Day's theme 'Plastic vs. Planet', it's crucial for businesses to address their plastic usage.
Whether it's senior company leaders, office managers, or employees themselves, everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and energy consumption.
Chris Eldridge shares practical tips for businesses to embrace sustainability. From waste audits to collective sustainability incentives.
Some tips companies can take to become greener:
Carrying out a waste audit – hiring an external provider to conduct a workplace waste audit, outlining areas for improvement and compiling an action plan of waste reduction.
Assign responsibility in your organisation – an increasing number of ESG-related roles are being created in organisations to set climate targets and form initiatives to reach set goals.
Partnering with an ESG consultancy – not only to help hold your company to account but to keep up with sustainable industry expectations as well as stay abreast of upcoming policy changes.
Offering sustainable alternatives – from keep-cups to reduce single-use plastics, recycled notepads and materials – offering more sustainable alternatives is a sure fire way of reducing unnecessary business waste.
Introduce collective sustainability incentives – work together as an organisation to decide sustainability incentives and goals, if everyone feels they have a hand in fostering greater sustainability across a business there will be more chance of it becoming a reality.
As we navigate the challenges of climate change, Beechwood remains committed to promoting sustainability in everything we do.
Together, we can make a difference and create a better world for future generations.
