Far more than simple considerations, the environment and sustainable development must lead to companies taking action. Alongside an in-depth rethinking of companies’ global functioning, a few efforts can start paying off in the short term.
Environmental responsibility: Added value for companies
Is turning green worth it for companies? “Absolutely,” says Pascoal Gomes, communications advisor at the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre, which works with organizations and communities to implement environmentally responsible actions. “First, because incorporating environmental reflexes leads to reviewing work methods, and may enhance performance and competitiveness. Then, because it can also become a strong argument for attracting employees to join the company’s ranks. The environment is therefore an effective corporate strategy.”
Canadian leaders sensitive to the environment
According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) study, corporate decision-makers across the country, all provinces combined, were already well aware of the importance of this asset, and were the most engaged worldwide in 2010. Even better: 93% of them were planning to immediately modify their sustainable development and social responsibility strategies.
This awareness is mainly explained by the desire of governments to encourage green behaviours in the workplace, confirms Pierre Taillefer, a partner in PwC’s consulting practice in Montreal: “Stricter environmental laws have made climate change an increasingly major priority for CEOs.”
Among the prescriptive measures adopted by the federal government since late 2010 are lower reporting thresholds for greenhouse gases produced by the operations of Canadian companies. And at the provincial level, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec have each adhered to the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), which works in North America to reduce the negative impacts of greenhouse gas pollution throughout the signatory provinces and states.
Time to take action!
If, in this green era, manufacturing companies have their work cut out to reduce the potential negative effects of their production on the environment, service sector companies also have many effective things they can do.
- Usefulness of the diagnostic
The process of making a company environmentally responsible starts with a complete diagnostic of its current practices. “After decision-making comes the global audit, which alone will spell out the specific things that remain to be done for a company to reach its goals,” underscores Pascoal Gomes. Excessive use of energy, highly polluting transportation, a not very environmentally responsible purchasing policy. . . Once the major areas of waste have been identified, it is time to implement new practices.
- Taking action on the three “Rs”
Reduce, recycle and rethink: three “R” verbs for five specific axes of action that companies can take—from in their various departments, to the break room, employee cafeteria and outside activities. The actions are easy to take, as shown by the following examples.
The first strategy involves reducing energy use, which represents a major expense for companies. Lowering the thermostat in winter and easing off on air conditioning in summer is a first step. Decreasing or increasing room temperature on company premises by one degree cuts the annual bill by 10%.
It is even possible to generate a profit by being more closely interested in alternative and renewable energies. “A prime example is the Montreal company that installed a solar wall in its premises, and generated a return on investment within two years; it is now realizing income directly from this clean energy source,” explains Pascoal Gomes.
Other ways to reduce the corporate energy bill include systematically turning off electronic devices (e.g. computers, printers); installing lights on timers in the washrooms, where lights often stay on; making greater use of natural light, by lowering the blinds and choosing light colours for the walls; using push button taps instead of regular ones, to reduce water use by almost 50%. . . Simple reflexes, which, when applied by all, can have a big impact right away.
Companies, which use a lot of paper and office supplies, can also easily take measures to better manage the stocks available to employees. The watchword this time: recycling, or optimizing the reuse of available resources. Regular pens, which are quickly used up or lost, can easily be replaced by refillable pens. A money-saving tip, as long as all employees are made aware.
Another good idea is to reuse paper. When printed on only one side, the back side can provide a sizeable stash of draft paper, or even a useful notepad, using a bulldog clip. Even easier is customizing printer set-up so that only one copy of each document is printed, or strongly encouraging the use of digital supports.
Rethinking employees’ commuting and business travel, reorienting the general purchasing policy, etc.—companies have free rein to review all or part of their current operating methods.
As regards commuting, many actions are possible in the short term. These include installing additional bicycle racks in the parking areas, which may be enough to encourage more employees to bicycle to work; setting up a carpooling plan for company employees; or negotiating with an urban car-sharing service to cover ad hoc vehicle needs for business use.
Choosing recycled or environmentally responsible products, buying from local suppliers, enjoying fair trade coffee. . . At any scale—from the beverage drunk at break time to the materials required for the company’s production and activity—the purchasing policy finally has a major role to play in going green, which companies, as well as society overall, must do.