[Cymraeg]
Overcoming the barriers to environmental improvements
Ed Gmitrowicz, Envirowise Director for Wales
As the environment continues to dominate the political, social and economic agenda, there has never been a better time for Welsh businesses to look at ways of improving their green credentials. The benefits are not just financial; increased resource efficiency can save up to £1,000 per employee*, as well as enhancing reputation and competitiveness.
Tackling the issue can seem like a daunting task. With so much noise on climate change, combined with pressure from increasing legislation, managers can be forgiven for wondering how to distil such a large subject into a practical plan of action that can achieve employee buy-in.
Achieving truly sustainable practices requires support from all levels, with co-ordinated action across all aspects of the business. Only by ensuring the involvement of employees can a company successfully integrate environmental improvements into its culture. Without such a shift, businesses risk simply ticking boxes on corporate social responsibility rather than implementing meaningful measures that make a real difference.
So how can Welsh businesses incorporate environmental thinking into the very bones of their organisation?
Firstly, buy-in from senior management is essential. Many companies create a statement of commitment to drive ongoing improvement, while others begin the process by nominating an environmental champion to identify opportunities and raise awareness.
Project teams can also drive momentum for change by encouraging involvement from a range of staff members. Ideally, teams should be cross-functional, allowing employees from different departments to work together and increase their understanding of each other’s needs. Further ways to raise awareness include team briefings, poster campaigns and newsletters, while integrating environmental issues into the induction process for new employees helps to instil the right mindset from the outset.
To help companies embrace such cultural change, Envirowise has launched a new online resource, 'Words to the Wise'. Designed for companies of all sizes and sectors, the tool provides advice on developing a plan of action to help embed sustainability into corporate thinking and improve environmental performance.
Following the completion of a short questionnaire, the resource provides a bespoke summary of the company's current environmental position, followed by guidance on the terminology most likely to resonate at every level, from junior management to the boardroom.
Whatever the approach adopted, staff motivation is one of the fundamental building blocks to a greener business. Its development need not be as complex or time-consuming as some may anticipate and, with support from across the organisation, the financial and environmental rewards will soon be realised.
Case study: Swansea NHS Trust
One Welsh organisation already reaping the benefits of behaviour change initiatives is Swansea NHS Trust, whose Active Travel Project was launched in January 2007 to encourage employees at Singleton Hospital to walk or cycle to work.
Rhodri Davies explains: "The high level of staff driving to the hospital was creating serious traffic congestion and impacting on parking. We knew we had to take action, but realised that no programme would be effective without the employee buy-in."
The Trust kick-started the project by nominating a Travel Plan Co-ordinator and conducting a full employee survey to explore what would motivate people to make changes. The results showed that, although a large proportion of staff lived within a two-mile radius of the hospital, many were concerned about safety issues and the lack of facilities for cyclists and walkers.
Rhodri continues: "Using these findings as a starting point, we made improvements to our facilities and developed taster sessions to provide staff with cycling training and bike safety checks. We also set up a 'buddy' scheme to increase confidence in walking and cycling, with free breakfast vouchers as an incentive to participate."
"The scheme is promoted through eye-catching leaflets and posters distributed in key locations around the hospital, including canteens, reception areas and ward notice boards. It now also forms an integral part of the employee induction process and we aim to repeat the survey next year to obtain further suggestions."
"There is real support and enthusiasm for the scheme among employees as they have been involved from outset, enabling us to develop initiatives which respond to their needs. More and more staff are now cycling or walking to work and car use has reduced dramatically."
For more information on 'Words to the Wise' online behaviour change resource, please visit, the Words to the Wise page or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794. Envirowise also offers a package of free advice to large companies across Wales.
*Envirowise case study and resource efficiency club data shows companies implementing full resource efficiency measures can save up to £1,000 per employee.