Mayday Update February 2011
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| Lead Story: Where does change begin? | Legislation,regulations and the latest publications to help you on your journey |
| Case Study: Anderson Strathern | Events;webinars, workshops, exhibitions in Scotland |
| 2020 Climate Group Interview: John Sturrock | Did you know; hints tips to keep you on track |
| Environmental Awards: Call for entries |
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| Although behaviour change is recognised as a key part of the solution to the environmental problems that we face, the role of employee behaviour in delivering improvements to an organisation’s environmental performance has been largely overlooked (Davis & Challenger, 2009). |
Environmental sustainability is more than simply implementing technical or process driven systems within an organisation. It is about shifting the mindset of the whole organisation to one where sustainability runs through the heart of every decision, where the people within an organisation are the key drivers. But where does one start?
We would argue it begins with understanding. While many businesses are talking about behaviour change, it is important to bear in mind that behaviour and cultural change are the practical steps that can be taken towards the end of the change cycle.
That cycle begins with understanding.
Understanding, at senior management level, the need for change, from both an environmental and an economic context, is key. Many Mayday members have found the best way to start the understanding process is to assess their environmental impact. The Carbon Masters project supports Mayday Members in Scotland to do just this; click here more details.
This understanding and awareness then needs to translate into looking at the whole business model, identifying areas of strength and weakness in an environmental context, and working with staff to identify how to accentuate the positive aspects and improve areas that have a greater environmental footprint. It is important that businesses work with their staff to identify what they are working towards, that this is included in the organisations mission and goals, and that a framework, including key competencies, are drawn up to enable staff to achieve this mission and their goals.
As quoted in a recent survey by the City University London, called `Promoting environmental behaviour in the workplace’:
`… suggests that an organisation’s culture is likely to have significant impact on the environmental performance of its employees; in particular, that an organisation’s norms, values, beliefs and goals (Schein) regarding the environment will influence employee tendencies to behave in a pro-environmental way.’
Senior managers, and in fact all business leaders need to practically demonstrate these values. Business leaders must ensure that they practice what they preach, as John Sturrock, a great example of a leader leading by example quotes below, `We must be the change we want to see in the world’ (Ghandi).
With commitment from the top, engineered with the help of staff from all areas of the business, organisations can truly begin staff engagement. Skip any of these vital processes and the business will be in danger of being perceived as green washing, both from internal staff and external stakeholders.
Lowering your carbon footprint does not end with your business. That is only the starting point. We need then to look at the products, services and materials we purchase from others, and take responsibility for the environmental impact of these. We need to identify what our suppliers are doing, to work with them to ensure that they are undergoing the same change, and to choose suppliers that fit with our ethos towards CSR and environmental sustainability. It is interesting to note that in the same survey quoted above, only 3.5% of businesses listed `Green procurement’ as an environmental initiative. This is an area we at SBC are working hard to turn around.
There are some great examples out there to learn from, examples of businesses that have been implementing a carbon reduction framework for years, and are now doing some remarkable work on engaging their employees to take this further. See BT’s public engagement strategy and Halcrow's travel initiative, or get in touch with us about a variety of courses we can run on engaging staff, or facilitated workshops with senior management teams to deepen their own understanding.
Below is a short table we put together, the left column highlighting some of the steps to implementing CSR or environmental strategies in the workplace, the right hand column showing some top tips for engaging staff.
| Embedding and improving | Tips for engaging staff |
| Measure your carbon footprint | Set up a green champion structure |
| Ensure Senior management commitment (by demonstrating business and environmental benefits) | Give responsibility to staff (and even suppliers and customers) to come up with their own carbon saving measures |
| Embed this commitment in values, strategy and competency framework (if you have one), making it central to the business | Share the benefits – allow staff to spend a percentage of cost savings on healthy eating in the office! |
| Set up a structure of environmental champions | Communicate success stories |
| Engage staff in drawing up plans to reduce areas of high impact, including the setting of targets (linking to strategy) | Reward and recognise staff that are making carbon or resource savings |
| Ensure staff have tools needed by offering training and support | Allow time for staff to volunteer on green initiatives |
| Communicate progress to all staff and stakeholders | Bring in the experts! People like us at SBC, EST, Carbon Trust and ZWS can come in and speak to your staff over lunch |
| Monitor and evaluate progress e.g. measure your carbon footprint on a yearly basis | Make it fun! |
If you are looking to engage your staff, get in touch. We have seen what works, what doesn’t and why. If you are in the process of changing your organisation, please send through your case studies or your hints and tips. Lets share our success stories and continue growing Scotland’s largest network of businesses committed to tackling climate change.
Car Caps Cut Carbon
Member: Anderson Strathern
Business: Legal
Offices: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Haddington, Currie and Aberdeen
Who: Anderson Strathern is a full service law firm with offices across Scotland. Prior to joining SBC in 2008 they had a strong reputation for CSR and responsible business, and since joining they have been ‘highly commended’ in the prestigious FT Innovative Lawyers Report 2010, the Financial Times ranking of Europe’s most innovative law firms. With ISO14001 certification, and a longstanding commitment to environmental awareness, Anderson Strathern is the only Scottish law firm recognised in the category for 'Innovation in Climate Change and Sustainability.'
What: Seeking to further their environmental reputation the company reviewed areas of its business where it felt it could positively influence carbon reduction. This resulted in the firm’s Facilities Manager, Lindsay Sharp obtaining the partners’ agreement to amend the fleet policy and set a target of a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions within 4 years (the average replacement cycle for the firm’s fleet). With a fleet of 40 cars Lindsay felt that vehicle emissions were a significant contributor to the company’s carbon footprint and that their former vehicle policy needed to be addressed.
How: The old scheme was based upon a fixed allowance being given for the lease element, regardless of car or mileage.
However, Lindsay felt this was not conducive to and didn’t support the company’s carbon reduction commitment. He therefore created a scheme that took mileage and emissions into consideration creating a more accurate carbon footprint. With this new system in place drivers with a smaller footprint were rewarded (by paying a larger allowance), and those with a larger footprint were penalised (by reducing the allowance), therefore empowering drivers and giving them the necessary impetus to change.
To complement this policy Lindsay also obtained partners’ agreement for a CO2 cap to be placed on the vehicles that make up the company fleet, preventing the use of any vehicle whose emissions exceeded the cap.
According to Lindsay, ‘Car schemes are notoriously sensitive areas but this change has been well received and is set to achieve its environmental goals.’
Benefits: Two years into the new scheme, the reduction has been rapid, with the average vehicle now emitting 25% less CO2 than they were before the new scheme came into play, and the firm will easily achieve the target that it has set.
For more information on Anderson Strathern visit www.andersonstrathern.co.uk
Call for Case Studies
At Mayday Scotland we endeavour to share your successes and we profile your news on www.sbcscot.com/mayday www.maydaynetwork.com and through our regular communications. If you have a story and would like to share it with the wider network please contact Todd Henshaw or call 0131 451 1000.
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Name: John Sturrock
Organisation: Core Solutions Group -
www.core-solutions.com
www.core-solutions.com
Position: Mediator and Chief Executive
What is your role on the 2020 Group?
I act as independent facilitator of the Group’s meetings.
What is the most interesting aspect of your role within the 2020 Group?
Helping to manage contributions from a very diverse group of senior people! They are bright, thoughtful and have important things to say in a limited time!
What do you believe to be the key challenge Scotland faces in achieving the 42% reduction in carbon emission by 2020?
Commitment by people, including members of the 2020 Group, to individual responsibility for changing lifestyles. I do think we have not yet appreciated the impact that this needs to have, and will have, on our own lives. Addressing how we face such fundamental changes of habit is a real challenge – and our future depends on it.
What opportunities do you think the move to a low carbon economy can bring to Scotland?
Building a new economic base for a healthy sustainable future. We can thrive with our abundance of natural resources and a willingness to be creative. We could actually lead the way and set an example for many others.
What would be your `top tip’ for a business looking to engage in environmental sustainability?
“Be the Change you Wish to See in the World” (Gandhi). I think we need to demonstrate, with authenticity, our commitment to change. We can’t expect others to do so if we don’t!
How has the Core Solutions incorporated environmental sustainability?
Our very business purpose (helping to solve problems quickly and efficiently) is about sustainability – as mediators, we help people to resolve disputes in a day which have taken months or years of legal and other time and expense. Traditional dispute resolution is very wasteful.
And, we try to reduce transport costs – by cycling, eliminating car travel to and from the office and using the train when we can
What direct business benefits have you had from implementing environmental measures within the business?
It is all about being perceived to be part of a changing culture and awareness – really a new enlightenment I think. There is an appetite for this and business benefits to be gained from being a part of it.
What personally motivated your journey to tackle climate change?
I am very clear that we need to think differently and that this is the most important challenge ever to face mankind. I wish to help where I can. We only have one opportunity to do so. I was hugely influenced by reading the masterly Hell and High Water by Alistair McIntosh.
The Awards for Excellence are independent and peer assessed corporate responsibility awards. Run in association with the Financial Times, the awards recognise and celebrate those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.
The Environmental Category has been created to award companies that have sucessfully implemented environmental systems and are now making progress towards a low carbon economy. There are a number of categories which may be applicable to you and your company.
The deadline (4th March) is fast approaching and we are encouraging Mayday Members to apply to these prominent awards demonstrating that you are a leader in environmental sustainability
click here to register now or click the links to find out more about the awards.
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch Climate Change Award in association with the Mayday Journey - For businesses taking steps along the journey towards a low carbon economy. (2010 Winners: Rabbies Trail Burners click here for more information).
- Asda Environmental Leadership Award 2011 For companies demonstrating leadership in sustainability by embedding environmental strategy into core business processes. This award is only open to gold or platinum band companies in the Environment module of the CR Index.(2010 Winners: Kingfisher Plc, click here for more information).
- Ways2work Award - For companies who have developed a sustainable approach to commuting and business travel. In 2010 this award ran as Regional Sustainable Travel Award.(2010 Winners: Halcrow, click here for more information)
For a complete list of all of the award categories including Community, Workplace and Marketplace impact, and to register your entry please click here
Stay ahead of changing legislation, regulation and see the most up to date environmental publications here.
Visit our Publications Page for all of the latest Environmental publications from Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, the Energy saving Trust and the Carbon Trust
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Working with our partners we are able to provide comprehensive events calendar helping our members achieve savings in areas such as waste, transport and energy.
This month's highlights are:
- Mayday Webinar - Generating your own energy - This first Mayday webinar of 2011 explores the practicalities and business benefits for investing in your own energy generation, specifically using solar panels. 23rd February
- Buliding Global Competetiveness through Sustainable Business Practices - SBC and CSR Asia look at what stakeholders in Asia are expecting from companies in terms of sustainabilty as well as the key risks and opportunities for companies in emerging Asian markets. 25th February
- ScotHot 2011 – Scotland’s Greatest Hospitality Trade Show
ScotHot 2011 is the must-attend event for the hospitality sector. Bringing together 8,000 visitors to find out what’s new, source products, meet the industry, discuss business and network, there is no better way to access the entire market and find new inspiration. Register now for FREE and save £15: www.ScotHot.co.uk
28th February – 2nd March 2011 SECC Glasgow.
There are a number of potential economic benefits arising from a low carbon economy:
- 80% of Scottish electricity demand to come from renewable sources by 2020;
- 11% of Scotland's heat to come from renewable sources by 2020;
- A 12% reduction in total final energy consumption by 2020;
- Household energy efficiency could save consumers a cumulative £8.5bn in their fuel bills by 2050;
- Motorists could save £300m a year in reduced fuel costs by "eco-driving";
- Farmers could save up to £464 million by 2022 in business efficiencies.
(Low Carbon Scotland: The Draft Report on Proposals and Policies)
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