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Managers have to help secure our common future.

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We are increasingly aware of the impact our lifestyle and work practices have on the environment and society. Although organizations take action to address the most pressing environmental, economic and social problems of our time, their efforts are often piecemeal and devoid of substance. Today, on World Environment Day, five experts share their views on the next steps leaders need to take to create truly sustainable organizations that enrich our society.

1. Learn the skills of good citizenship

Companies need to step forward and help society meet the broader economic, social, and perhaps most importantly, environmental challenges of the future, and not just limit their contribution to their market, explains David Logan, author of Companies For Good.

He explains: “You need to report to society about your economic, social and environmental impacts. Then they need to select issues that are important to them and society, especially where they have a particular skill, and address them in partnership with government and the nonprofit sector. Both their own future well-being and the future well-being of society will depend to a large extent on their developing the skills of good citizenship and playing a more prominent role in the debates necessary to secure our common future. “

2. Share your growth vision

Businesses should aim to grow in socially responsible ways that limit their negative impact on people and the planet. “Scaling today is primarily about taking care of your employees, especially when they return to work after a year that can only be described as a milestone,” argues Warsha Joshi, co-author of Dare to Scale Evan Le Clus. “Some founders forget this and scale at the expense of their employees with unsustainable practices that harm society.”

“Share your broader vision of where the company is going while remaining open to the challenges the company is facing,” advises Joshi. “It should come as no surprise that some of the best ideas for solving business and social challenges come from people on your team. The more you share, the more engaging your employees will be. And the more you involve your employees, the better their contribution, their well-being, their sense of responsibility and their affiliation with the company and society. ”

3. Go for the walk

Many companies that offer products, services, or solutions that have a positive impact on the environment do not follow suit in terms of their internal business practices and the use of natural resources. Just recently Richard Walker, managing director of the UK frozen food chain Iceland, was called on by the Sunday Times to campaign for green, but often used a private helicopter to travel.

“Every company and every business leader has to implement a strategic energy transition plan in order to move into a sustainable future,” explains Tim Rook, Chief Markets Officer at Clade Engineering Solutions in the UK. Clade himself uses heat pumps to heat his production rooms and is converting his vehicle fleet to electric. It also supports its employees in continuing to work from home, which improves their quality of life and reduces the CO2 emissions of their commuting. “We also have a tree-planting program that is powered by our sales,” reveals Rook.

4. Make use of cutting-edge technology

Making an existing company more sustainable can be a challenge, explains Aidan Dunphy, Principal Consultant at digital consultancy Samepage. This is especially true when hampered by outdated IT systems, complicated processes, and extensive physical resources that can prevent positive changes from accelerating and adopting.

“Technology is changing the way companies work, especially those with a global reach,” continues Dunphy. “High-speed video conferencing can now replace hours of jetting over the word for a brief face-to-face meeting. Cloud-based technology can significantly reduce paper waste and reduce the enormous energy consumption of large, physical offices. “

Dunphy believes that appropriate technological solutions are “readily available, inexpensive and easy to implement”. He says: “Executives only have to act decisively to initiate the right digital transformation projects.”

5. Prioritize employee wellbeing

Much of the discussion about sustainability revolves around the consumption of physical resources or the company’s positive impact on society. Still, it’s important for leaders to remember that maintaining the health and wellbeing of employees within the company is equally important, explains HR expert Elisa Nardi, author of Notebook Mentor’s career journal, What Art of Leader I Am ?

“Good leaders work hard to make sure people are happy and healthy at work,” says Nardi. “In doing so, they not only demonstrate their compassion and empathic qualities, but also protect everyone’s interests by promoting a positive, nurturing and productive environment. It’s not just about workplace benefits like health tracking apps or flexible working, even if these things are important. It is an expected part of a new psychological contract between employer and employee – where safety, security, health and wellbeing are paramount. “