Switched off to environmental issues? Doing your bit with cutting waste but missing where the next opportunity lies? Or perhaps you are totally committed to environmental action in your business?
If any of those characters sound familiar, it's not surprising. The Envirowise programme suggests that the environmental behaviour of employees is rooted in four different 'eco characters':
- Eco-sceptics are non-committed individuals who perhaps have doubts over the need to act on environmental issues
- Eco-ignorers undertake the obvious mainstream activities, but are blinkered to the opportunities to take firmer environmental action
- Eco-implementers are typically committed implementers of resource efficient activity, going beyond the most obvious actions
- Eco-innovators are pioneers that look to seize the opportunity to improve competitiveness through completing environmental activities
The key to a more profitable and sustainable business is making the best of these characters, as Alan Tillotson, Envirowise Ambassador for Wales, explains: "In every company, employees will have different attitudes when it comes to environmental and sustainability issues.
"We hope that business managers in Wales will see that recognising the attitudes of their staff is crucial in encouraging positive behaviour change on environmental matters. We're not trying to say that a company of eco-innovators is best – rather managers should look to take the best from each employee in order to form an effective environmental team."
Gary Pheiffer, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at London Metropolitan University, adds: "The definition of these eco-characters suggests that to bring about organisational change we cannot take a 'one size fits all' approach.
"Crucially, businesses must tailor their activities to reflect the needs and potential of different individuals. For example, awareness-raising activities or events may be useful for 'unfreezing' the eco-sceptics, while the eco-innovators could be called on to help enter their organisation for awards linked to sustainable action – which in turn could send out a strong message to their competitors."
Envirowise offers a package of free, tailored advice and support to companies across Wales. For further information visit the Wales homepage or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
- Ends -
p>Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Trimedia Harrison Cowley. For further press information please contact
Abi Dare or
Allys Williams on 02920 344717.
About Envirowise:
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1Bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website of valuable and relevant information
- On-site visits* conducted by a nationwide team of expert advisors
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions
* Please note that different services are available in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.
Ynglþn ag Envirowise:
Defnyddio adnoddau cynaliadwy yng nghalon arferion businesi Cymru.
Ers 1994 mae Envirowise wedi helpu busnesi Cymru i arbed dros £1bn trwy galluogi iddyn nhw lleihau eu 'argraff troed' amgylcheddol.
Mae Envirowise yn cynnig busnesi o bob maint ac o bob diwydiant cyngor di-dâl, annibynnol ac ymarferol sydd wedi'i gynllunio i gwella eu prosesau, elw a'u awydd i gystadlu. Gwasanaethau yn cynnwys:
- Y llinell gymorth amgylchiad ac Egni ar 0800 585794
- Y wefan sy'n llawn gwybodaeth perthnasol - www.envirowise.gov.uk/wales
- Ymweliadau gan tîm genedlaethol o arbenigwyr
- Dros 200 digwyddiadau pob blwyddyn, o gweithdai dylunio cynnyrch i arddangosfeydd slweddol