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It’s a Green Deal: Positive work environment through climate neutrality?
Climate neutrality - one of the hot topics currently. On a national and global level, both privately and economically. Who knows - maybe it will be the word of the year 2023? By now, more than an elephant in the room, no one can ignore climate change anymore. Making one's own contribution to its containment is gaining more and more awareness - a trend from which we all benefit. At the same time, with this term, a (not so new) trend in the economy is getting a fresh boost.
Getting Rid of the Greenwashing Image
Making one's own company "greener" is not a whim that only emerged yesterday. What was long discussed as greenwashing, often receiving well-deserved criticism, has now gained a new level of seriousness with the European Union's Agenda 2050 and the German Climate Protection Act 2045. This provides the economy with a new opportunity to give the green transition a more authentic touch. More and more companies are jumping on board and committing to making their processes climate-neutral. By 2045, Germany aims to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, which will significantly impact the business sector. However, companies will not be left alone in this endeavor; the German federal government intends to provide support. If a company wants to develop its own ability to act, there are many opportunities to receive training in sustainability and independently drive the transformation process.
What does "climate neutrality" mean? Behind this term lies the goal of making production processes less emissions-intensive or offsetting unavoidable CO2 production through other measures. However, this goes beyond just industrial production processes. Almost everything we do daily generates greenhouse gases, both in our leisure time and in our workday. From using our work PCs to having a pork schnitzel in the cafeteria, to greening our offices. There are countless factors that determine the carbon footprint of a company and its employees. Many of these can be adapted to be more climate-friendly, while others are simply unavoidable. And of course, practicality and productivity ultimately take precedence. However, a lived climate policy in a company may even offer opportunities, especially for the latter.
Of course, a climate-conscious corporate policy is not only good advertising externally but can also attract new customer target groups through a sustainable image. However, pursuing a climate strategy can also be used for internal marketing. An integrated concept of climate neutrality that is well embedded in the internal corporate culture and communicated transparently can engage employees, unleash identification potential, and make the company more attractive as an employer. Striving for climate neutrality as a company is associated with change. But when transformation and movement are utilized correctly, it only benefits the operation.
One fear that often accompanies employees during a climate-conscious restructuring is the belief that they will probably not be allowed to do anything anymore. A well-known danger of climate policy measures, both on a societal level and in the economy, that arises from this concern is reactance. Reactant behavior is usually expressed by refusing to comply with unwanted measures, saying "now even less." This is often rooted in feeling violated in terms of self-determination and freedom of choice. To prevent such concerns and reactance, clear communication and the opportunity for participation and involvement in the process are crucial.
Joining the climate protection agenda should not be feared as a requirement or restriction. Instead, it can be seen as an opportunity and used as a competitive advantage for companies and employers.
How can it work - Expand instead of reduce.
But where to start?! In fact, the endeavor to achieve carbon neutrality can initially seem overwhelming. Where do I begin, what factors need to be considered, are there blind spots? Many questions can arise after deciding to reduce or offset one's own carbon footprint. At first, one is faced with a jungle of possibilities. But one should not be discouraged by this initially opaque thicket. There are various approaches and strategies to consider carbon neutrality. Usually, determining one's own carbon footprint precedes everything else, in order to have a reference for the extent to which corresponding measures should be taken.
You can dive into this process on your own initiative and gain orientation through in-depth research, or you can collaborate with one of the many providers who can offer advisory and technical support for a "green" transformation process. Our article is primarily intended to provide a first insight into the range of employee-centered approaches, and thus demonstrate how green change management through participation can also serve as a tool for improving the working atmosphere.
Most likely, everyone is familiar with measures such as the friendly reminder by the light switch, thanking the environment when we save electricity, or those "funny" hints at the sinks like "Don't use a cloth for every drop." We all know how much these sentences achieve - little to nothing. Instead of working with requests for restrictions, however, one can offer alternative actions and enrich everyday work life with measures. Areas where employees can be reached are fields of action that are within their direct interests as well as their daily use.
Few of us live close enough to our workplaces to walk there every day. However, to improve the emissions balance of our daily commutes and mobility during work, employees can be offered incentives to be more environmentally friendly. For example, by providing job tickets or job bicycles (including e-bikes or e-scooters, to cater to those who are less inclined to cycle). Another idea could be implementing an in-house car-sharing system with electric vehicles. Additionally, for every unavoidable business trip taken by plane, CO2 offsetting could be achieved by investing in an environmental project. Such offsetting measures can also be utilized in other cases where emission reduction is structurally challenging. To make this more tangible, a collaboration with a specific project could be established. Employees can also be involved in the selection process of such a project.
Another topic that affects everyone is nutrition. Each of us needs to eat something throughout the day, and for many, the coffee break or lunchtime is one of the highlights during a workday. Large corporate cafeterias, in particular, play a crucial role in reducing emissions. What and how much ends up on the plate strongly influences the carbon footprint of the diners. For example, offering attractive plant-based meals as an alternative to schnitzel can already make a big difference. Through a survey among employees, it is possible to transparently determine their wishes and identify areas where willingness to change exists. Leftovers at the end of the day can also be utilized and given to employees to take home or donated. To make the coffee break more "green," attention can be paid to coffee beans with lower water consumption, and regional fruit can be offered for free.
This is only intended as an exemplary insight into two possible areas of action. Change and participation can also take place on a smaller scale. Perhaps the employees themselves would like to take the initiative and organize a monthly exchange market, collectively green the premises in a planting action, or design the company's reusable "coffee-to-go" cup.
Outlook into the "green" future
Rethinking Green Business. So there is no reason to fear the transformation process. It does not only have to mean reduction. Climate neutrality is now considered a hallmark. A company that becomes climate neutral takes responsibility and becomes active. This makes it more attractive in the market - but also for its employees. Clear structure, transparency, and participation are success factors for integrating a climate line into corporate culture.
It's not a choice between economy and environment. It's a choice between a prosperous future and a barren one. The challenge of sustainable development is to create prosperity without undermining the Earth's capacity to support future generations.
by Al Gore
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