To do our bit in combatting climate change, our Environment@GM network has been making a lot of changes here at Goodman Masson. And to help other organisations do their bit as well, they’ve made a list of suggestions to help you reduce your carbon footprint…
A good place to start
- Supply Tupperware and reusable mugs at the entrance to the office and encourage employees to take them to pick up lunch, a lot of cafes give you a discount (or extra falafel if you are lucky) if you bring your own container
- Ensure your training team have virtual workbooks to avoid unnecessary printing
- When hosting events use a vegan plastic-free caterer
- Have toilets with sinks in them so women can use sustainable sanitary products
- Use sustainable couriers like ‘pedal me’ to deliver laptops/gifts to employees
- Host environmentally friendly events for employees such as clothes swaps or vegan cooking nights
- Provide loose leaf tea, plant-based milk options or ‘broken biscuits in the coffee room
- Provide shower facilities to encourage employees to cycle to work
Medium impact
- As part of your benefits package, allow employees to take “volunteer days” OR “environmental days” if they are involved in activism or want to travel via train to a holiday instead of flying
- Ask everyone to switch off lights, screens and plugs and night if they are the last person to leave
- Use small electric heaters and fans instead of the heating/air-conditioning systems when the office only has a few people in it
- Provide education to employees on climate change and regenerative cultures, for example, we have a plastic-free chat where each week tips are posted on switches employees can make to reduce plastic consumption
- Ask your landlord about installing a rooftop garden with bee-friendly plants. You could even offer the space to local restaurants to grow fresh produce
Big impact
- Bank with sustainable banks that don’t fund ecocidal projects like fossil fuels and coal mines (eg. switch to Triodos)
- Check your energy provider and switch to a renewable one
- Make sure your pension scheme is invested in ESG funds
- Implement a sustainable travel policy that encourages cycling/trains/electric vehicles instead of transport that uses gas such as cars or aeroplanes
- When selecting suppliers ask them to answer environmental and sustainability questions as part of the tendering process
- Have a recycling and compost bin in the office
- Install automatic light switches that turn off when no one is around
If you would like to discuss any of these points please contact Lauren Boyce who leads our Goodman Masson’s ENVIRONMENT@GM network.
Lauren Boyce
lauren.boyce@goodmanmasson.com
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