What role do employees play in reducing organisational emissions?

On an unnervingly balmy October day (23°C in South London), 100 people who work in sustainability, engagement, culture and marketing & communications, gathered to hear Hermione Taylor of Do Nation and Ellie Monks of Green Element discuss the impact of employee emissions on organisational net zero reporting and targets.

Watch the event recording >

What do you think is the biggest source of employee emissions?

Ellie and Hermione's conversation covered the measurement of direct and indirect emissions, plus they shared data points and case studies from successful initiatives.

Whilst it's true that companies need to power and heat offices and sites for employees, the biggest source of employee emissions - at certain times of the year - is commuting. Ellie talks about the nuances of seasonal and regional fluctuations, but for organisations wishing to reduce employee emissions, analysing the impact of hybrid and home working is a must.

Employees can also impact a range of organisational emissions when they understand the power that their attitude, actions and influence can have within their role at work.

Ellie and Hermione dug into this aspect, exploring the importance of climate influence and the benefits of individual climate action, at home and at work.

Hermione and Ellie's top tips for reducing organisational emissions and engaging employees

• Gather essential data from employees so you can measure action, engagement and emissions. Incentivise filling out surveys to get as much data as possible. You can only manage what you measure.
• Empower employees their actions and influence does make a difference.
• Engage suppliers, start a conversation about carbon reduction and better sourcing. Implement a responsible sourcing policy where possible.
• Identify internal champions and cheerleaders. Transformation can be bottom up and will enable community led change, in support of organisational targets.
• Act now, don’t delay. Use the (necessary!) sense of urgency to get buy in.
• Focus on the right thing. Set science based targets and support employees to engage, understand and act.

Watch the event recording >

Who are Green Element?

The Green Element Group is a certified B Corp offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products and resources that empower organisations to manage their environmental impacts.

The group consists of Green Element, environmental management consultancy, compare your footprint, carbon calculation software and? ‘sustainability solved resource hub and podcast’.

Who are Do Nation?

Do Nation is the go to employee engagement sustainable behaviour change pledge platform, created over 12 years ago by Hermione Taylor.

Do Nation has worked with hundreds of organisations locally and globally, supporting employee engagement programmes that connect people to organisational net zero goals, and take people from climate anxiety into climate action, onto advocacy, upskilling and innovation.