How can you ensure that your group's decisions are environmentally responsible?

Environmental impact assessment is very important when taking or planing to take decision on behalf of your group. Since I am in the environmental field, I always try my best to make my group understand how each action/steps will impact the environment. From plastic free training and seminars to mostly virtual meeting and training. When some decisions can't escape being environmental unfriendly, I introduce other activities that will amend that. This can be from awareness raising, clean up campaigns, and partnerships with other eco-friendly groups. Even when working with children in schools and communities, I focus their mindset on environmental consciousness in everything that they do.

Environmental assessment is one of the key areas of interest recently specially with the climate change being on the spotlight and majority of the projects being focused on environmental issues. There are several environmental framework tools such as EIA tool which was used in Africa. First of all we need to understand the duration and the purpose of the project/programme. Then based on that identify the criteria’s and frameworks.

Vivências e atividades de reflex?o ajudam bastante cada pessoa perceber seu papel e impacto individual no ambiente e também de como é impactado pela a??o dos outros. Depois essa percep??o se expande para o grupo. Assim, a percep??o pessoal e do grupo fica mais apurada.

Environmental assessment is one of the key areas of interest recently specially with the climate change being on the spotlight and majority of the projects being focused on environmental issues. There are several environmental framework tools such as EIA tool which was used in Africa. First of all we need to understand the duration and the purpose of the project/programme. Then based on that identify the criteria’s and frameworks.

What did I do? More than the Impact assessment, Pre-impact analysis is vital for correct options generation that shall help in budget allotments in terms of permissible tangible and intangible benefits

One thing I have found helpful is involving everyone who might be affected by our decisions. For example, when we planned to change our packaging material, we talked to our customers, employees, and suppliers. We used surveys and focus groups to understand their perspectives, which really helped in making a decision that everyone felt good about.

Dans un collectif quel qu'il soit, il est préférable de se concerter pour prendre des décisions. On réfléchit alors ensemble sur les besoins réels, sur les différentes solutions possibles pour y palier, en tenant compte de l'environnement, de l'écologie pour nous et pour autrui.

Let’s do it together! Stakeholders in individual capacities want to contribute to a better environment, however the negligibility of it makes it psychologically prohibitive. Let’s get them talking and sharing, so that cumulatively everyone feels a part of the larger good

I appreciate this question given my work in DEI over the past decade. In my most recent role, our team started meeting with the “climate change” arm of the organization to learn more about specific marketplace investments, real estate decisions, supplier selection, even recycling practices and whatnot. We wanted to understand how these decisions impact patients and caregivers’ lives in our health system’s catchment — how best to meaningfully reflect what we learned from such a collaboration in community outreach efforts. Fortunately, the “climate team” already were considering DEI-esque practices, incorporating some, and open to others. Unfortunately, I was laid off before any real traction happened. I’m unsure if the work continued.

And to engage the skateholders, it is important to foster an environment of ongoing enhancement by consistently evaluating and refining environmental policies and practices. Remain attuned to emerging technologies and methodologies that can elevate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.

One time at work, when we were considering switching to renewable energy sources, we explored all the available options. We brainstormed and used SWOT analysis to compare the pros and cons of each option. This approach opened up new possibilities we hadn't considered before and led to a better decision.

As you explore options, keep in mind the questions of "what else could we do?" and "what is a better way to do this option?" The first question supports expansive thinking, while the second is useful when narrowing down to a specific solution.

In my experience, after looking at all the alternatives, choosing the best option involves getting everyone on the same page. For instance, when we decided to reduce our water usage, we used a scoring system to decide on the most effective method. This process ensured that our decision was not only environmentally sound but also supported by the whole team.

One time at work, after deciding to implement a recycling program, we communicated our decision through various channels like emails, newsletters, and team meetings. Explaining the rationale and process behind our decision helped in getting everyone on board and demonstrated our commitment to environmental responsibility.

La comunicación de las prácticas sostenibles de una organización es vital, pero debe hacerse de manera transparente, honesta y como parte de un esfuerzo de mejora constante. Comunicarse con los interesados no es simplemente un paso final, sino un medio continuo para recibir y aplicar retroalimentación. Tradicionalmente, las organizaciones han tendido a enfocarse en divulgar solo sus logros positivos, dejando de lado las noticias menos favorables. Sin embargo, para que la comunicación sea realmente efectiva, debe ser transparente, proactiva y de dos vías, satisfaciendo tanto las necesidades de los grupos de interés como apoyando el desarrollo estratégico y operativo de la organización.

One thing I have found helpful is keeping track of how our decisions pan out. For example, after we started using recycled paper, we regularly checked its impact on our operations and the environment. This ongoing evaluation helped us understand the effectiveness of our decision and make necessary adjustments.

More than ever before, it is important for everyone to know that environmental issues are all our responsibility and we have a part to play in the bigger picture and embedding green skills and strategies in our environments. Most people will think this is a department issue, but the challenge really is for everyone to take part. Training can help because not everyone knows what to do and then consistently applying the behaviours that help with the environment and keeping everyone safe. Changing the language we use is helpful and can help with behavioural strategies.

My organisation uses a checklist to support us in making operational decisions for events that are environmentally friendly. The checklist lists expectations of certifications that stakeholders must hold, food catering and disposal practices, use of plastics, etc.

Sharing stories and experiences can be really enlightening. Like the time we underestimated the community's interest in our green initiatives, which taught us the importance of considering public opinion in our environmental decisions.

En mi experiencia como consultor he detectado frecuentemente que existe un déficit de formación a nivel de sostenibilidad ambiental o social. Las organizaciones deben asegurarse de que todos sus miembros cuentan con unas nociones básicas relacionadas con las cuestiones ambientales y comprendan la responsabilidad derivada de sus acciones diarias para la sostenibilidad. La formación es la mejor manera de entender qué es lo que está haciendo tu organización, por qué lo está haciendo, cuáles son sus impactos y cómo controlarlos, reducirlos o potenciarlos.