Sustainability has become a watchword for any modern business. As ESG credentials shoot up the priority list for consumers and prospective employees alike, a company’s carbon footprint is now a key consideration when people decide whether or not to buy a product , use a service, or to apply for a job.
Indeed, according to the latest Bupa Wellbeing Index, nearly half (48%) of generation Z workers would consider leaving their job if their employer didn’t demonstrate action on environmental issues. The same study found that 56% of this younger workforce say that suggesting sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives to leadership, and seeing these come to fruition, would motivate them to work harder.
Laetitia Carle, general manager at carbon accounting firm Greenly, notes that although sustainability initiatives can sometimes feel daunting, particularly for small firms, the upfront costs of these measures should “be better understood as a long-term investment.” A more climate-conscious office could translate to lower energy bills and even lift staff morale, she says.