This informal CPD article Greening Your Workplace was provided by Alison, Free Online Learning Provider.
While the pandemic has certainly squeezed most stories out of the news cycle for the last 18 months, one issue that remains as pressing and as discussed as ever is climate change and the need for decisive environmental action. With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow this year, the UK will be under particular scrutiny as the nations of the world come together to discuss the steps that have to be taken to fight climate change and the measures that still need to be put in place.
While COP26 sees the environment discussed at the highest level, there's no gesture, policy or change in habit too small, personally or professionally, to make a difference when it comes to protecting the planet. Both as individuals and as businesses, we all have a part to play in reducing waste and emissions and in implementing greener ways of living.
Taking the lead in greening your workplace isn't just of benefit to the planet; it’s also in the best interest of your business and an opportunity for you to showcase your leadership skills, forward-thinking and sense of corporate social responsibility.
Ahead of the Curve
Green tax cuts, carbon taxes, tighter ecological regulation are all going to be part and parcel of the future of every industry. By starting to adapt and implement greener workplace policies, with a road map for the future, your business won't be caught unawares further down the line. As with any area of business, being future-orientated will also give you an edge over your competitors.
Save Your Business Money
While there can be some supplementary short term expenses in greening your workplace, in the long run, you'll be saving money as well as the planet. As governments and industry regulators increasingly incentivise best ecological practices, companies with better track records and longer histories of implementing green policies will find themselves more eligible for grants than those who have been pinching pennies and dragging their feet. Being the one to have taken the decision to pursue a green agenda will mean you'll have shown incisive managerial foresight.
Show That You're Manager Material
Increasingly, environmental policy is becoming a central concern for management, so by making it your personal workplace project, you'll be adding some vital experience to your CV for any future managerial roles that become available within your company. In many sectors, producing and implementing a green strategy means breaking new ground. Being the one to spearhead such a project marks you out as a forward-looking and capable workplace leader.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
The project of protecting the planet isn't one that can be successfully accomplished by a single business, any more than it can be by a single government. But by initiating a coherent workplace green policy, businesses can lead by example. Changes in their professional environment will raise employees' awareness and encourage them to think about their own lifestyles outside of work and the changes they could implement that could make a difference. The knock-on effect of a successful environmental policy at work can't be underestimated.
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