Putting People First: How Employee Engagement and Technology Drive Sustainability

In the pursuit of a more sustainable future—one that safeguards resources and opportunities for future generations—organisations are discovering a powerful, often untapped, ally: their own employees. By empowering staff to play an active role in carbon management, companies are not only making significant environmental strides but also transforming workplace culture. The partnership between Integrated Environmental Management Australia (IEMA) and carbon accounting platform Sumday highlights how engaging employees, combined with cutting-edge technology, can deliver tangible sustainability outcomes and strengthen client and stakeholder trust.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)—many of which may not have yet turned their focus to sustainability—this represents a tremendous opportunity. By taking proactive steps to address emissions and integrate sustainability, SMEs can position themselves as leaders in their industry and gain a significant competitive edge over larger, slower-moving rivals.

The People-Centric Approach to Carbon Management

It’s no secret that sustainability initiatives often live or die by the level of employee buy-in. Organisations that succeed in engaging their workforce find that the benefits extend far beyond compliance or public relations. For SMEs, where resources are often stretched, harnessing the passion and creativity of employees can be a game-changer.

“People want to see the difference they’re making,” says Andrew Hutton, Managing Director of IEMA. “When employees are equipped with tools to track and reduce emissions, it fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility. Sustainability becomes personal, not just a corporate goal.”

Engaging employees in emissions reduction offers several advantages:

• Awareness and Accountability: Involving staff in sustainability initiatives raises awareness of the environmental impacts of their roles, encouraging accountability and innovation in daily operations. For SMEs, this can unlock low-cost or no-cost opportunities to reduce emissions through behavioural changes.
• Empowered Action: Providing employees with access to tools like real-time emissions tracking allows them to see the immediate effects of their actions, making sustainability tangible rather than abstract.
• A Collaborative Culture: Carbon management often requires input from multiple departments. In smaller businesses, this fosters teamwork across often tightly knit teams, creating stronger bonds.
• Job Satisfaction and Retention: A workplace that values sustainability is often more appealing to employees, especially younger generations, who see environmental action as a key organisational responsibility. This is particularly important for SMEs competing for top talent against larger organisations.

Technology as the Enabler: The IEMA-Sumday Partnership

While engaging employees is critical, organisations also need the right tools to turn intention into impact. This is where the collaboration between IEMA and Sumday comes in. Together, they are equipping businesses—large and small—with a suite of technology solutions designed to simplify and enhance carbon accounting and reporting.

For SMEs, this partnership offers an accessible entry point to sustainability. Many small businesses may not have the in-house expertise or resources to implement complex sustainability strategies, but Sumday’s intuitive platform and IEMA’s guidance make the process manageable and effective.

The Sumday Advantage

Sumday’s platform is built to integrate seamlessly into existing business processes, providing a straightforward and effective solution to carbon management. Key features include:

• Automated Data Collection: By automating the collection of emissions data across operations, the platform eliminates time-consuming manual entry, allowing employees to focus on analysis and action.
• Real-Time Emissions Tracking: Staff can monitor the company’s carbon footprint in real-time, enabling swift adjustments to processes and strategies. This feature is particularly valuable for SMEs looking to act quickly and demonstrate progress.
• Scenario Modelling: Sumday’s tools allow employees to explore the impact of different sustainability initiatives, helping organisations to plan and prioritise effectively.
• Detailed Reporting Tools: The platform generates professional, compliant reports that can be shared with stakeholders, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to transparency and accountability. For SMEs, this level of reporting can rival that of much larger competitors, levelling the playing field.
• Integration Capabilities: Sumday integrates with existing systems, ensuring minimal disruption during implementation and faster adoption by staff.

Strengthening Relationships with Clients and Stakeholders

Engaging employees in sustainability is only part of the story. By leveraging the insights provided by platforms like Sumday, organisations can also build stronger connections with clients and stakeholders.

For SMEs, this is a particularly valuable opportunity. Many small businesses operate in close-knit communities or niche markets where transparency and trust are critical. Sharing emissions data and sustainability progress not only strengthens client relationships but also positions SMEs as forward-thinking and responsible—qualities that increasingly influence purchasing decisions.

“Sustainability has become a key criterion for decision-making among consumers, investors, and partners alike,” says Hutton. “SMEs that embrace transparent reporting and actively pursue emissions reductions can punch well above their weight, attracting clients who prioritise environmental responsibility.”

The Bigger Picture

The IEMA-Sumday partnership illustrates how a well-rounded approach to sustainability—one that prioritises employee engagement and leverages advanced technology—can deliver benefits on multiple fronts. For SMEs, this combination of engaged employees, cutting-edge tools, and transparent reporting creates an opportunity to outpace competitors who may be slower to act.

More importantly, it signals a shift in how organisations of all sizes approach their role in securing intergenerational equity. This is not just about meeting regulations or ticking ESG boxes. It’s about embedding sustainability into the very fabric of how a business operates, involving employees, clients, and stakeholders in a shared journey towards a fairer, greener future.

As Andrew Hutton explains: “Sustainability isn’t something you achieve alone. It’s about collaboration, innovation, and putting people at the heart of the process. For small and medium-sized businesses, the opportunity to lead in this space is immense. By partnering with Sumday, we’re helping businesses of all sizes empower their teams and create lasting change.”