5 benefits of engaging employees in climate action

Over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has given employees a chance to re-evaluate what they want out of their work experience, leading to what is now called the "Great Resignation". Individuals are now choosing their next employer more intentionally, assessing companies on climate action initiatives, pay, value-alignment, support, well-being, and overall fulfillment.

To compete in this modern landscape, companies need to adapt to the evolving expectations of the talent market. One way that you, as an employer, can reshape your relationship with employees is by including them in your climate action conversation. Here are five (of many!) benefits of doing so:

1. Increases overall job satisfaction for employees

It almost goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway: employees stay put if they're happy. Job satisfaction not only creates a positive work experience for your employees, but it also plays a vital role in retention.

Employee involvement in purpose-driven work plays a significant role in overall job satisfaction. Nearly 90% of employees who are involved in their company’s sustainability initiatives experience higher work satisfaction and improved feelings toward their company. By engaging employees in initiatives that positively impact the world around them, you're directly fostering a culture of teamwork, purpose, and innovation, all while creating brand ambassadors who will maintain a strong sense of pride in your company.

2. Attracts value-aligned top talent

Sixty-six percent of job-seeking millennials and most Gen Zers choose workplaces with strong climate values over those with weaker ones. Why? Because climate change is one of the greatest threats to our future. This demographic, which dominates the current workforce, wants to know that they are a part of the solution, not the problem.

Building a compelling employee value proposition for millennials and Gen Z'ers means including climate action as a part of the offering. By visibly incorporating climate action into the company's culture from the get-go (as early as the job description or careers page!), attracting value-aligned top talent becomes more achievable.

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3. Helps you connect over a broader shared purpose

It's no secret that the boundaries of the workplace are susceptive to the happenings of our world. Social and environmental issues impact employees, directly or indirectly, and make their way into the workplace. It's important that companies call in these issues proactively. Climate change is at the top of this list of topics in employees' minds and will remain there for decades to come. Implementing strong climate initiatives in the workplace can help to translate corporate value statements that can often feel distant and empty into genuine action within the workplace.

Addressing climate change with your team can serve as an opportunity to build a greater shared purpose with your workforce, especially at a time when 60% of young people are experiencing climate anxiety. Taking climate action together can help foster meaningful connections within the team and drive positive change in areas that employees are concerned about. These employees want to be included in your company's climate action conversation—you just have to let them in.

4. Boosts productivity

While having strong buy-in on climate action amongst executives is critical for setting direction for your organization, it's not enough to only have climate champions at the top.

Why? Well, research shows a positive correlation between CSR initiatives and employee engagement, and a benefit of having engaged employees is that they're more effective in their role! One study that examined 49 companies on their employee engagement rate showed that those with greater reported engagement rates achieve higher earnings per share (EPS). For example, those with 9.3 actively engaged employees for every disengaged employee saw a 147% EPS compared to their competition!

5. Widens your impact

When you equip your workforce with the tools and resources they need to live a more sustainable life outside of work, it shows that your company is helping to address climate change not just at a corporate level but including the lives of the team within their scope of impact.

Not to mention that by doing so, you're touching the lives of tens to thousands of people, cultivating a wave of behaviour change across families and communities that will have nothing but positive impacts on our planet. The result of engaging employees at work and connecting them to a shared purpose of climate action improves their well-being and sense of satisfaction at work. This itself is a CSR win!

An individualized climate journey for your workforce

Publically setting corporate sustainability targets is a great first step by leadership in addressing an organization's climate impact. But to create a strong long-term foundation for this plan's execution, it must include top-down (corporate operations plans), bottom-up (employees engagement) and lateral support (customers & vendors) to be successful in hitting the reduction targets set.

If you're looking for a way to reward employees for levelling up their climate knowledge and reducing their emissions both at home and at work, Mammoth Climate does just that. Don't hesitate to reach out!