Greening in Business

The Company at the Heart of the Ecological Transition

Are you familiar with greening? The greening of our workplace is a combination of actions at the personal and organizational level designed to create a beneficial environment for people, the planet, and ultimately for the business itself. We also refer to the theory of the 3 Ps: “People, Planet, and Productivity.”

In recent years, many companies have made workplace greening a priority. This concept of “Greening” comes from Anglo-Saxon countries where corporate commitment is seen as one of  the solutions to accelerate the ecological transition.

Concrete Examples

How can companies and workers work together to create a greener workplace that is better for the planet, for the business, and for the people who work there? What can be established from a collective perspective? Here are three priority areas.

• First area: the use of resources. The war in Ukraine, combined with a major inflationary crisis, has highlighted the importance of responsible use of energy resources. How? By being mindful of what is used to reduce consumption, on the one hand. But also, of course, considering clean production (wind, hydro, solar) on the other hand.
• Second area: develop a “Sustainable Mobility” plan. We know that more and more employees value the ability to choose their mode of transport and how they travel. Whether by foot, bicycle, public transport, private or shared car, employees want sustainability and flexibility. This is even more true for younger generations.
• Third area: promote eco-responsible purchasing, meaning products that have less impact on the environment than standard products throughout their lifecycle.

Psychological Barriers to Greening 

Even with good intentions, some psychological barriers may prevent us from advancing on the path to ecological transition.

• The first is what Audrey Portes, a lecturer-researcher at Montpellier Business School, has called “insensitivity to scope.” In other words, we have difficulty perceiving the link between our consumption and the problems created (deforestation, climate change…). Thus, we do not easily engage.
• The second barrier: thinking that the actions considered in the company will not have an impact compared to the billions of human beings in the world, especially the thousands of large companies in countries that are less mindful of ecology.
• Finally, the third barrier: “moral compensation.” A company may instinctively feel a reduction in guilt regarding small irresponsible behaviors (e.g., purchasing plastic) because it acknowledges or has undertaken other eco-friendly actions (e.g., investing heavily in renewable energy).

It is also noted that sometimes, HR or companies feel a bit isolated in their approach due to administrative burdens (increasingly recurring obligations) or lack of public resources available (various aids, for example).

Ready to make a change?

Let’s get started; it’s decided! But before initiating concrete actions, it is ideal to conduct a comprehensive assessment, a general snapshot of where we stand in society today in terms of ecology. A double assessment, in fact.

1. A carbon assessment, focusing on the question of direct and indirect CO2 emissions produced by the company’s activities. The carbon assessment is broader than the physical site of the company, as it also includes today, the digital assessment and all the “pollution” generated by the activities of employees, potential suppliers, clients…
2. An energy assessment, concerning energy management within the company’s site boundaries.

Objective: gather all data from the company in these three areas. For example: the surface areas of premises, the energy used along with associated costs, habits within the company in terms of digital use, mobility policy…

The carbon assessment and energy assessment are complementary. Thus, it is possible to conduct both or to start with one and do the other later.

In a second phase, data analysis will allow for setting goals over one or several years. And thus, to establish a list of actions and measures to be taken.

What can we do internally?

Outside of a macro approach, ecology is also played at the micro level, with small simple actions taken by all.

Here are 7 rules to share with your colleagues:

1. Plastic is not fantastic 

Whether for packaging merchandise or for drinking water, plastic should be replaced as often as possible. Mugs and glasses should be the norm.

2. Recycling on every floor

The life of an object or food today requires an extension. Waste management is essential and must be enforced.

3. We print ONLY what is necessary

Some reflexes die hard. There are still many employees in many companies who print their emails or documents to read them when it’s not necessary.

4. Plants in the offices

Installing plants (real ones, not plastic ones 😉) in offices has two advantages. First, they store carbon and filter the air. Second, they provide a more pleasant environment.

5. We pay attention to consumption

Whether it’s for lamps, heating, or lunch in the cafeteria, the basic rule should be to pay attention to consumption. Don’t let water flow unnecessarily, turn off lights when leaving, don’t waste food…

6. We encourage each other

Achieving goals is always more enjoyable together. It is essential to create a culture in the company that drives employees to respect rules and the environment. Let’s encourage each other to do these small gestures. And learn from one another what can be done, without judging what hasn’t yet been done.

7. We reward

There’s nothing better for changing things than rewarding employees.

Green is not only good for the planet; it is also good for the image of the company (internally and externally) and for employee engagement. This is even truer for younger generations who are more attracted to a society “committed” to values they share.

Greenwashing

Going green means making a real effort to reduce environmental impact and adopting measures that include recycling and purchasing green products and services. For some companies, green is not a virtue or state of mind, but an opportunity to present a positive image. An opportunity to communicate and make a profit. This is known as greenwashing. This practice involves making unfounded claims to deceive consumers into believing a company’s products are environmentally friendly or have a more positive environmental impact than they actually do. These companies deceive consumers, many of whom today prefer “green” products, which they are even willing to pay a little more for.

What if we raised awareness through incentives? 

It’s not always easy to shift the lines in a company when working in HR. It’s not always easy to emphasize the importance of our environment without fearing being perceived as preachy or eco-elitist.

To encourage change, perhaps it’s just a matter of approaching the subject differently. What if we did it through incentives?

There are companies that offer team-building activities focused on environmental causes. For example, you can engage in paddle cleaning (Goal: to collect as much waste as possible on a lake or waterway). Or eco-forest challenges, where employees are involved in sowing, planting, and caring for plants…

The Figure: 2050 

By 2050, the European Commission wants Europe to be climate-neutral. This is the goal of the “European Green Deal,” the Green Pact for Europe.