According to the Upright Project, 52% of workers have considered leaving their jobs due to their employer’s negative social and environmental impact. This trend is even more pronounced among younger generations. A Deloitte survey found that over 70% of millennials and gen Z workers view a company’s environmental policies as a key factor when considering job opportunities.
Many organisations now have senior positions dedicated to advancing their green goals. However, sustainability isn’t limited to roles with titles like “green,” “ESG,” or “sustainability.” You can still promote positive environmental practices without a chief sustainability officer.
Let’s SURF
To make a meaningful impact on the environment, organisations must focus on the four pillars of sustainable development: society, environment, economy and intergenerational equity. The SURF framework – covering supply chain, user, relations and future – provides a practical tool to benchmark and integrate sustainable practices into operations.
Supply Chain
The supply chain is one of the most comprehensive and challenging aspects of sustainability to address, impacting everything from computer components to office paper. To ensure a sustainable supply chain, you should consider several key questions:
Are products and services sourced from underrepresented communities? Is the transportation system, including delivery and staff travel, environmentally sustainable? Are renewable resources prioritised over fossil fuels? Additionally, is the financial supply chain – such as banking choices and employee retirement benefits – aligned with sustainability goals?
Addressing these factors can help create a more responsible and sustainable supply chain.
User
Sustainability efforts can fall short if users do not engage with products or services responsibly. For instance, an energy-efficient light bulb loses its efficiency if left on unnecessarily. To address this, consider:
How are products and services designed and communicated to promote sustainable use? Are there take-back programs in place for recycling products? Are users informed about sustainable practices, such as water and energy efficiency, or care methods to extend a product’s lifespan?
Ensuring clear communication and user engagement is key to maximising the impact of sustainability initiatives.
Relations/Relationships
Building and maintaining positive internal and external relationships is crucial for sustainability. Strong relationships are reflected in fair wages for workers and opportunities to positively impact their communities. To foster sustainability, ask:
Is sustainable development training offered to employees? Is the organisation involved in sustainability networks, whether local or international? Additionally, how are employee well-being issues, such as psychological health, health risks related to shift work, and absenteeism, addressed in the workplace?
These considerations help create a more sustainable and supportive work environment.
Future Generations
Sustainable development requires a focus on long-term planning, distinguishing it from past social and environmental efforts. To ensure a sustainable future, organisations should ask themselves:
How does their work facility contribute to generational planning? Have they considered the needs of different generations in the workplace, including mobility, parenting schedules and other factors that support a sustainable work environment for all employees?
These considerations help businesses align with future-focused sustainability goals.
In conclusion, as sustainability becomes a central focus for both businesses and employees, organisations must adopt a holistic approach to ensure lasting positive impact. By leveraging the SURF framework, organisations can embed sustainability into every aspect of their operations. Sustainability is not just the responsibility of specific roles but should be integrated throughout the organisation, shaping decision-making and fostering long-term growth.
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