How Your Ability As A Manager Affects Your Business’s Sustainability

Julie Starr • May 21, 2020



Sustainability, to put it simply, is all about making the best use of the resources at your disposal, avoiding waste when possible, and re-using what you can. Aside from paper, carbon, water, and the like, you can think of your employees as a resource, too. They’re a resource that, when engaged, can help make the company a lot more sustainable. But how, exactly, do you empower them to achieve that? Here are just a few ways you can make better use of the employees in your team to make a more sustainable business.

Make it a core part of your messaging

First of all, you need to make sure that you’re not being shy about your company’s dedication to sustainability. Your entire team should be aware of the fact that you are committed to reducing waste and managing your impact on the environment. As such, you should learn how to communicate your company values often and loudly. This can include putting the words in writing, such as in job postings, in employee meetings, in strategy forecasts, and more. Not only can this put those values in the back of your employees’ minds, but it means you’re also more likely to attract like-minded people who will actively participate in efforts to make the business more sustainable.

Get everyone talking about it

As a business with a social media platform, you have the opportunity to spread not only your marketing messages but also your commitment to green causes through the internet and to a potentially huge number of followers. However, instead of taking care of this by yourself or leaving it only to the marketing team, you can involve people from all roles of the organization . By getting all of your employees to post about what they are doing to be more sustainable, such as through a series of blog posts, then you get everyone a lot more engaged about what they’re going to say and, in response, what they are going to do to be more sustainable.

Make efficient use of your manpower

Now, you’re going to need to have people in the workplace to get stuff done. But are you going to need as many people as you usually do? Remote working is on the rise, and allowing people to stay home can reduce the resources they use on the commute, not to mention the amount of equipment and energy you need to power the office. Employee scheduling software can make sure you never schedule too many people to come into the office and allows you to see when employees can work from home instead. Remote working is becoming a lot more popular in the business world and sustainability is just another reason why.

Take the time to inform them

The vast majority of people are aware of the need for sustainable business practices and the general reasons as to why we should reduce waste. However, if you want your employees to be both more engaged in your existing sustainability efforts and better equipped to contribute to brainstorming such tactics in the future, then you should take the time to have educational talks on specific kinds of waste and the benefits of particular sustainability efforts. By turning the vague concept into more concrete facts, you can make sure that your sustainability goals do not remain nebulous for too long.

Make your case for the company

You can’t simply drill a value into the heads of your employees. Either they are on side or they aren’t. Some people are going to be motivated enough by the shared desire to do good for the environment. However, some people aren’t going to be as motivated by that. If those people are generally invested in the performance of the company, however, then talking to them about how it may affect profitability can be a much better strategy. When outlining your sustainability goals, take the time to make the economic case for sustainability . Tell them how it will benefit the business and they will be more likely to support whatever measures you are taking. After all, the better the company does, the more potential in their own career there.

Give them the room to engage with sustainable practices

If you want to incentivize people to act in a certain way, then making it easier to do so and rewarding them when they do can be a great way to go about it. For instance, if you’re encouraging employees to work remotely, then you can also offer them a discount through the company accounts on things like LED lights that can make working from home more energy-saving. Otherwise, you can also use employee reward systems to encourage things like getting involved in sustainable causes during their downtime. To some people, they would like to be more engaged in sustainable practices, but they don’t have enough practical reasons.

 

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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