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As sustainability becomes a key priority for businesses, companies are rethinking their policies to meet environmental goals. The challenge is integrating sustainability into daily operations, especially while managing return-to-office (RTO) plans.
During Climate Week NYC 2024, a webinar titled "Engaging Employees in Daily Sustainability: From Commute to Culture" brought together industry leaders to discuss this very topic. The panel featured:
Their insightful discussion shed light on how businesses can foster a culture of sustainability while effectively managing RTO policies.
Below, you will find a recording of the webinar, along with a summary of the conversation:
Human Resources (HR) plays a pivotal role in embedding sustainability into a company's DNA. It's not enough to make surface-level commitments or issue press releases about environmental goals. As Morgan Williams emphasized, "We need to move beyond statements and integrate environmental responsibility into our core values and everyday practices."
HR leaders can spearhead initiatives that:
Employers have a unique opportunity to shape and influence sustainable behaviors among their workforce. One compelling example comes from Ridepanda, a company dedicated to promoting eco-friendly commuting options.
Case Study: Ridepanda's Impact
Ridepanda offers a curated selection of electric bikes and scooters as a subscription service that employers can provide as part of their commuter benefits. According to Chinmay Malaviya, half of their riders are new to biking, demonstrating how employer support can encourage employees to adopt sustainable commuting habits.
Key factors contributing to this success include:
Effective communication is essential in fostering a sustainability culture. Employees need to be aware of the resources and benefits available to them. Morgan Williams highlighted the importance of continuous engagement: "People love to feel like they're making an impact. The more we remind them of the impacts they're making, the more likely they'll continue to do them."
Strategies for enhancing communication include:
As companies transition back to in-person work environments, there's a potential conflict between RTO mandates and sustainability commitments. Increasing office occupancy can lead to higher energy consumption and carbon emissions. Additionally, mandating employees to commute five days a week may not align with environmental objectives.
Morgan Williams urged companies to consider the broader impact: "If we're bringing everyone back to the office without considering the environmental implications, we're sending mixed messages about our commitment to sustainability."
To align RTO policies with environmental goals, companies can:
HR leaders can take actionable steps to integrate sustainability into RTO plans:
Integrating sustainability into company culture and RTO policies is not just a corporate responsibility but a necessary step toward a more sustainable future. As the webinar panelists emphasized, it's about making conscious decisions that reflect the company's values and engaging employees in the process.
Shaurya Saluja summarized it well: "We can't do this alone. We need to communicate and work together. Every little bit counts, and it's all going to go up to the same place."
Achieving sustainability goals requires collective effort. Companies must align their actions with their commitments, and employees should be empowered to contribute meaningfully. By fostering open dialogue, providing resources, and leading by example, organizations can make significant strides in their sustainability journey.
Fleet partners with employers to promote sustainable commuting options, making the return to office more environmentally friendly. By offering comprehensive solutions that cater to diverse commuting needs, Fleet helps companies reduce their carbon footprint while enhancing employee satisfaction.
Interested in implementing sustainable commuting programs in your organization?
Join us in making a positive impact on the environment—one commute at a time.
