Takeaways
- More employees expect organizations to reflect environmental and social values, and 71% would change jobs for greater alignment with these impacts.
- HR and L&D teams can drive sustainability by incorporating tailored initiatives, like onboarding programs that introduce climate awareness and individual contributions.
- Quick fixes in sustainability, such as "biodegradable" solutions, often miss the larger systemic challenges and can inadvertently sustain harmful practices.
- Visioning exercises that encourage employees to imagine ideal futures can foster engagement and reveal transformative solutions aligned with organizational goals.
- Embedding sustainability-focused KPIs in performance reviews helps employees integrate social and environmental goals into their daily work for long-term impact.
Summary
The podcast emphasizes the increasing importance of embedding sustainability into organizational culture, especially in HR, L&D, and people-focused roles. Liv Siony highlights that 71% of job seekers now prefer environmentally friendly employers, demonstrating a societal shift in workplace expectations. Younger employees, in particular, seek meaningful work and are willing to leave organizations that fail to align with these values.
Siony critiques "quick-win" sustainability strategies, such as replacing disposable items with biodegradable alternatives, which often fail to address underlying systemic problems. Instead, she advocates for comprehensive approaches that consider broader impacts and foster long-term change. She shares practical examples, like incentivizing reusable options and embedding sustainability into organizational KPIs.
HR and L&D play crucial roles in this transformation. By incorporating sustainability training during onboarding and aligning it with employees' roles, organizations can instill purpose and promote innovative thinking. Continuous learning and adaptability are vital as sustainability remains an evolving journey. Organizations should encourage bottom-up contributions, empowering employees at all levels to devise solutions relevant to their functions.
Siony also addresses the limitations of traditional CSR activities, suggesting that these efforts be reframed to utilize employees' unique skills, thereby enhancing community impact. She concludes with a visioning exercise to help organizations imagine and work toward ideal futures, fostering a sense of hope and creativity essential for driving sustainability.
