Corporate ecology: top 5 actions to implement

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Ecology is more than a topical issue, as new laws emerge. The government is setting more and more standards for companies to comply with. We're talking about the tertiary sector decree and the CSDR. Now that the limits have been set, the State seems keen to monitor compliance with these rules. Given the alarming urgency of climate change, it's time to act. According to IPCC figures, between 3 and 3.6 billion people are now "highly vulnerable", due to lack of resources and global warming. Every company and every employee can take action. We need to reinvent our usual eco-responsible ways of doing things. That's why we'd like to give you a few ideas and examples to encourage you to go green. Every day, every gesture counts.

On the other hand, change processes in business take a long time, so we need to react now. Combining growth and sustainability seems to be a real challenge. Ecology is an issue that affects all players in the French market, as well as internationally. However, beyond the criticality of the situation, it is also an opportunity for companies to renew themselves. This ecological process makes it possible to to review working methods, to innovate in management, but also to involve employees in the CSR policy. In this approach, everyone is a player, each contributing his or her part to making the ecosystem healthier and more sober. It's a real challenge for society.

 

" Every company and every sector of activity must build its own energy sobriety plan", asked Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Energy Transition, on Tuesday September 6.

 

Reduce energy consumption

According to Patrick Martin, Deputy Chairman of Medef, industry has reduced its energy consumption by 22% over the last 30 years . He points out that this did not just happen last autumn. There is a real environmental awareness, particularly in France.

First of all, energy is the number one source of pollution and financial loss. That's why it seems obvious to want to reduce energy consumption: electricity, gas, etc. On the one hand, it seems logical that there's no point in heating empty premises or lighting them. On the other hand, it's an additional expense that could be invested in company projects.

Jooxter helps you assess the occupancy of your workspaces: individual offices, meeting rooms, phone booths, etc. Thanks to the application's dashboard, you'll have reliable DATA to help you make the right decisions. After all, it's not always easy to know how many employees are on-site or teleworking. That's why an easy-to-use tool like Jooxter will help you to analyze and reduce your carbon footprint. Contact us right here.

In addition, after this analysis phase, you can readjust your space offer to employees. For example, you could free up a floor, rent out one of your buildings or readjust your heating hours. In all cases, this energy audit will provide you with useful data. We have a customer, Ecocertfor whom Jooxter was a real help and a revelation when it came to starting their carbon audit. Watch their energy performance testimonial on our YouTube channel here.

Companies switching to a 4-day week also contribute to this reduction in energy consumption, as we discuss in more detail in this article: 4-day week, for or against?

 

 

Adapting your mode of transport 

Choosing the right mode of transport to get to work each day is part of the company's CSR policy. To this end, each employee plays a part in the company's eco-responsible approach. It's advisable to opt for low-carbon transport, whether for commuting or travel. City dwellers can choose between public transport, electric or city bikes, scooters or on foot. The most neutral form of transport is still walking, but not everyone can afford it, depending on the length of the journey.

For rural dwellers, the change seems to be more difficult. The distance between home and work is sometimes too great, so the car is the most practical solution. To offset this daily pollution, companies can promote a policy of telecommuting, for example. 

However, by living in the countryside, rural dwellers seem to reduce their carbon footprint despite using the car.

"My own carbon footprint has decreased by 30 to 40% since I've been living in the countryside, because my consumption in terms of food, in terms of objects, in terms of textiles, more than makes up for the fact that I now take the car much more than when I lived in the city" -. Henri Landes, author of Repeupler les campagnes

What's more, hybrid working and telecommuting seem to have contributed to this growing awareness. It's true that a teleworker isn't going to travel to work, but he may be careful to unplug his PC or print less. When we reproduce our actions at home, at our own expense, it's sometimes easier to realize our mistakes. Ecological awareness is a big subject to take on board, but the important thing is for everyone to take small steps. 

 

Rethinking consumption at work 

First of all, the pace of work is increasingly frenetic. Employees are putting themselves under increasing pressure, hence the importance of corporate well-being policies and corporate social responsibility. As a result, employees only allow themselves a short break in order to get back to work as quickly as possible. " It's more difficult to maintain fixed working hours, because you don't have colleagues inviting you to lunch and encouraging you to take a break. There's no longer that framework," stresses Florian Tran Huu Hué, head of the psychosocial risks, quality of life and working conditions (RPS-QVCT) unit at Ekilibre.

As a result, employees prefer dishes that can be eaten quickly. In 2021, more than 67% of European employees surveyed used meal delivery and "click and collect" services, either at the office or while teleworking, according to a study byEdenred. To help employees take care of their health on the one hand, and the planet on the other, company managers can take action. They can set up a kitchen area, with hotplates, reusable dishes and microwaves .

What's more, waste is also a major cause of pollution in the workplace. It seems within the reach of any company to offer a waste sorting system as a start. Recycling helps limit the CO2 impact of your premises. So it's best to use reusable crockery or recyclable materials. For example, when sending parcels, think about reusing your old cardboard boxes. In this way, you can create your own circular economy.

 

 

Developing your company's digital ecology 

Alongside all these actions, it also seems necessary to launch a Green IT policy. The Green IT policy challenge will help you reduce the environmental and social footprint of your digital business. It's a way of putting digital technology at the service of the environment.

It's true that with the waves of digitalization, companies have equipped themselves with digital products. However, these products are expensive and made from rare, non-recyclable materials. In the future, therefore, we need to give priority topurchasing reconditioned electronics to promote a sustainable economy.

In the same vein, it's often advisable to reduce the number of e-mails you send, just as you reduce the number of equally polluting paper documents. This approach favors verbal exchanges and physical encounters. Green search engines also exist. We're all familiar with the giants like Google, but there are other alternatives such as Ecosia, Lilo, Ecogine or even YouCare.

 

 

Raising employee awareness of ecological issues

In short, becoming an environmentally conscious company is within reach, but it requires the commitment of our employees. That's why it's a good idea toinvolve employees in the company's mission. To achieve this, you can organize awareness-raising activities such as talks by experts, creative workshops using recycled products, or even team buildings around this theme.

Ecology and CSR can add real value to your corporate identity. However, step by step, it is necessary to establish an environmental policy while raising employee awareness. This transformation requires you to involve your employees in the process, so as to engage them more fully in the sustainable development of your business

Take the time to set clear, achievable objectives quickly, so that you can see the changes taking place. If you set the bar too high, you risk demotivating your teams. So don't hesitate to encourage employees' good ecological gestures by rewarding them. The aim remains to change corporate behavior in order to have a positive ecological impact. Flexibility and adaptation are the keywords for change.

What's more, sometimes the implementation of these actions requires a revision of the workplace. Perhaps you'll decide to set up a coworking facility, or practice an operated office, or hybrid working for maximum flexibility and energy savings.

Read here an article written by Jooxter's CEO and founder, Fabien Girerd, in which he explains the new ecological standards for businesses, so you can readjust your strategy.