Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility, Part 2

By Olivia Foskett

During the ongoing COP26 summit addressing climate change, we’ve been investigating ways that businesses can take responsibility, and rounded up some tactics to improve your impact on the climate. 

For part 2 of this blog series, here’s five more ways your company can make a difference.

1 - Make a show of it.

Whether it's a challenge, a community initiative or a themed event, get together with your partners and your network, make it something engaging and memorable - Don't be afraid to speak out about what you're trying to do, and definitely don't let the imposter syndrome get in your way. You're not perfect, same as everyone else, and no one is going to tear you down for that. But putting yourself and your positive message out there is very much a move in the right direction.

2 - Listen. 

How many people does your business employ? What's their range of interests?

Is it obvious that plenty of them will have a thing or two to share that can help the company to build motivation, understanding and strategy in support of the climate? 

We think that's true in every workplace. From junior employees with concerns for their own future, to parents with concerns for the environment we are passing on to their children, from the science guys to the politically informed, those passionate about wildlife to those interested in social justice…

The best way to pool this wealth of ideas is to get chatting about the climate crisis and what you can do to help from your workplace, and who knows what stroke of genius you might come up with when heads are put together.

3 - Engage.

Did you know that some indigenous arctic communities are at risk of becoming the first climate refugees within the next five years, as the ice melts from the arctic circle shrinking historic lands by the day? That’s one of earths most ancient cultures at risk of irrevocable disruption.

Facts like this have hit home with us when we engage with the sources surrounding us in our city and beyond, to become more informed and to discuss specific topics within the crisis. 

In this case we’re referring to a recent exhibition at the British Museum: Arctic. 

Mix up your sources. Watch the news, follow along on social media, but also read, turn to the arts, explore where you might not ordinarily to hear the voices of communities affected differently to yours – it’s here, in the insights and surprises, that we find we are galvanised into action.

So choose to engage, think, and then talk. Store up all those emotive topics you’ve explored and open a discussion in the workplace. How much time do you spend in the office and with colleagues? The conversations we have there can do a lot to enrich our perspectives.

4 - Remember you're a consumer. 

One of the biggest tools in our arsenal in the campaign against climate change? Capitalism.

Backwards though it may seem, as consumers we have a huge amount of influence, wherever we spend our money we put our support. 'Every time you spend money you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want' said author and sustainable food advocate Anna Lappe.

In one regard, the bigger the money the heavier the vote. So large companies should be thinking more about the implications of their spending choices, not less. 

Will your business vote for convenience under the adage that ignorance is bliss, or for doing our jobs in a way that safeguards the future? Every bit of the budget counts, follow where the money goes and see if you can factor sustainability into your choices.

5 - Don’t try to do everything.

We’re all for getting inspired and opening our eyes to the many problems out there and the many ways we can help. But watch out for the overwhelm.

We’ve all learned in this past strange year more than ever to be strategic about our intake, limiting news and media for instance can often be a necessity for our mental health in challenging times.

The climate crisis itself is a challenge and a potential area of traumatic feelings for a lot of us. Taking stock of all the issues happening right now can induce fear, and trying to take every solution onto your own shoulders can result in hopelessness.

While this article targets businesses, we are carful not to miss the point that those businesses are run by humans, who can only do so much.

Our advice is to start small.

What is inside your sphere of control? Begin there and let the results grow. We can only do our bit, and whatever steps you take, remember to celebrate them. There’s a lot of good happening out there too.