The Right Decision: Going green just makes ‘Cents’ and 'Rands'

In the past, companies could justifiably pursue one goal and one goal alone: profitability. Today, however, things are significantly different. All businesses, whether large or small, now have corporate social responsibility: a duty to contribute positively to the world, whether environmentally or socially.

As a guide, companies can align themselves with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, precisely goal number 9 – to build resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialisation, goal 11 – to make towns and cities safe, inclusive and sustainable and 12 – to promote sustainable consumption and production.

For instance, allowing employees to work from home or a workspace closer to home reduces carbon emissions and saves money in other areas. Studies have shown that employees and prospective employees are willing to take a cut in salary in exchange for flexible work options. This, coupled with increased productivity and other benefits such as savings on infrastructure, will save money in the long run.

“Embracing these principles is not solely about altruism. In practice, such strategies can also yield tangible benefits for businesses. These benefits include improved talent retention – particularly as Gen Z is drawn to purpose-driven workplaces – enhanced customer loyalty, the potential to enter new markets, and reduce waste”, says Joanne Bushell, Managing Director,(International Workplace Group) IWG, South Africa

Let’s delve into seven ways you can make your business greener so you can reap some of these rewards.

Diving in: 7 ways to go greener

Below are some top actionable tips for promoting sustainability and adhering to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Establish clear and public sustainability goals and be transparent about progress

If you aim to make sustainability a goal for your company, it's essential to communicate this clearly to your customers and the public. This can help hold you accountable for achieving those goals while also serving as a form of promotion – many potential customers are attracted to companies making conscientious environmental efforts.

2. Regularly audit and aim to reduce your business's carbon emissions

Your sustainability record is closely tied to your energy consumption and carbon emissions. To place your company on a greener path, you must actively reduce these and regularly verify that you're meeting targets and staying on course to achieve your emission reduction goals.

One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by embracing hybrid working. Recent research has found that companies that switched to a hybrid model drastically reduced carbon emissions (related to commuting and office space) by up to 87%. Moreover, selecting providers like IWG, which offers certified carbon-neutral workspaces, further enhances these environmental benefits.

3. Work towards certifications from reputable bodies (e.g., B Corp, FSC)

Often, your environmental efforts will be rewarded with official accreditation. For example, FSC certification is awarded to brands demonstrating that their products come from responsibly managed forests. Meanwhile, B Corp certification indicates that a company has shown a high social and environmental performance standard. These certifications signal to environmentally conscious customers that you are an ethical and sustainable business.

4. Regularly consult with employees, suppliers, and customers on sustainability

Decisions about sustainability can stem from more than just the sources mentioned above. Consider crowdsourcing suggestions from your team, partner companies, and customers. This approach yields several actionable ideas. Additionally, it fosters collaboration and cultivates a sense of trust and open communication with your teams and customers.

5. Ensure green practices at every level, from sourcing to sales

Being a green company means prioritising ecology at every stage of the product cycle, from sourcing materials to sales practices. For instance, a business can hardly call itself green if it uses packaging made from recycled materials while its product contains crude oil.

6. Avoid vague language or commonly misused terms like 'natural' or ‘ethical’

Today, customers are much savvier about what constitutes authentic green practices and what qualifies as 'greenwashing. ' To avoid falling into the latter category, be specific in your descriptions of sustainability initiatives and refrain from using vague terms like 'natural' – which can be interpreted to mean almost anything- and 'ethical, ' which, without supporting information, holds little credibility.

7. Partner with environmental consultants or organisations for guidance

For many businesses, adopting sustainable practices presents a significant learning curve. To receive guidance and support for making greener decisions, consider partnering with specialised environmental consultants who can help steer you in the right direction.

Some final thoughts

When it comes to shaping a greener enterprise, the significance of adopting genuine environmental actions cannot be overstated. Indeed, leaders of SMEs ​ — which represent about 90% of global businesses — play a vital role in endorsing authentic green practices over inauthentic ones. This responsibility empowers them to make a significant impact on the environment.

Demonstrating a commitment to the environment involves adopting green practices and selecting the right partners to support these efforts. Embracing a hybrid work model, particularly with providers that offer carbon-neutral workspaces like IWG, is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions significantly. It's not just about minimising commute-related emissions; it's also about making informed decisions regarding office energy consumption

About International Workplace Group PLC

International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.

International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.

Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group’s app.