Online resource to change sustainability behaviour

18 March 2008

To help businesses introduce this step change, Envirowise has launched an online resource called ‘Words to the Wise’, to provide companies of all sizes with advice on developing a plan of action to help instill sustainability throughout the organisation so it can be ‘owned’ by everyone within it.

While many companies have now woken up to the benefits of improving their environmental credentials, getting boardroom buy-in this financial year is essential to embed sustainability throughout the operation and realise the associated rewards, says Envirowise. Those that make resource efficiency part of business strategy are likely to increase profits and crucially ensure that they don’t lose out to more environmentally-aware competitors.

Chris Hodgson, Envirowise sector specialist, commented: “The case for sustainability continues to grow and we would urge companies to embrace it over 2008/09. However, our experience has shown that once a commitment is made, the practicalities of distilling such a large subject into a practical programme and achieving acceptance throughout the organisation can be quite a challenging task to achieve.”

Following the completion of a short questionnaire, the resource provides a bespoke summary of the company’s current environmental position, followed by guidance on the terminology most likely to resonate at every level within a company, from junior management, through to the boardroom. It also outlines steps for achieving company-wide buy-in and signposts a series of resources that businesses can make use of to turn new knowledge into action.

Chris Hodgson added: “Despite the current noise on climate change, legislative pressure and considerable cost benefits, Envirowise’s 2007 survey of businesses revealed that many office-based firms are still struggling to develop and implement good environmental behaviour. However the best way to encourage behaviour change is to make environmental measures part of standard business practice. In time, this will become woven into the fabric of a company, and not need conscious additional effort. The rewards, both financial and environmental, meanwhile will be soon be realised.”

For more information on ‘Words to the Wise’ online behaviour change resource, please visit, www.envirowise.gov.uk/change or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.