Environmental
staff engagement
STEM | Low Carbon Kent| 2013.05.28
The Low Carbon Kent Network and STEM are funded by INTERREG IVA 2 Seas Cross-border Cooperation
Programme 2007 – 2013 (part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund).
Overview
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Why should businesses be communicating? Links to savings and legislation
What are you communicating? Links to key impacts
What do your staff already know? Staff survey
Who else should you engage?
How will you communicate - building your action plan.
Key messages and slogans.
Topic focus key messages.
Links and further development.
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Business and the environment
60% of waste can
be recycled
10% of businesses
energy is wasted
25% carbon savings through
improved staff behaviours
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
What are you communicating?
Your company has achieved STEM blue level and has identified your
significant environmental impacts.
For most companies the biggest environmental impacts will be:
 Energy use from electricity
 Business travel
 Waste production
The next step is to highlight these to your staff and increase their awareness
to reduce these impacts.
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Current environmental awareness
Firstly, you should identify the current awareness amongst your staff
Conduct a survey asking staff awareness about
general environmental topics and current
company’s environment policies e.g. recycling.
Then decide what questions you want to ask and
how you will communicate these; for staff with
internet access you could use
www.surveymonkey.com or you could print out for
those without.
An example survey is on the next page.
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Who else do you need to engage?
In addition to staff, there may well be other parties you wish to engage with
when developing campaigns.
Contractors
Examples
 Give induction on environmental policy
 Choose local contractors
Examples
• Ask to minimise packaging
• Deliver in bulk
• Choose local suppliers
Suppliers
Cleaners
Examples
• Lights off when leaving.
• Eco-friendly cleaning
products
Examples
• Inform where to recycle electrical equipment
• Location of recycling bins
•Encourage to reuse packaging
•Give directions using sustainable transport
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Customers
How will you communicate?
Now you know how and what you need to communicate, you need to plan
how you will implement this and what you are going to say.
In developing your action plan you need to think about the following:
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What are you going to communicate? e.g. a ‘switch off’ campaign
When are you going to communicate it? e.g. Throughout April
Who are you going to communicate it to? e.g. All staff
How will you know if it has worked? e.g. audits to see if machines are off
What will you do if it has worked? e.g. Reward staff with chocolate
What will you do if it has not worked? e.g. Email reminders
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Sample communication action plan?
Who?
What?
How?
Action
Audience
Person
Responsible
Time
Successful?
Email about new Printing
Policy
Office
staff
Mrs Bright Spark
January February
Yes/No
Posters and Email for
Switch Off Campaign
All staff
Mr Bright Spark
March – April
Yes/No
Training for IT tidy-up – get
rid of old files
Office
staff
Mr IT expert
May - June
Yes/No
Competition to Encourage
walking & cycling to work
All staff
Mrs Bright Spark
July - August
Yes/No
Reminder Posters and Email
for Switch Off Campaign
All staff
Mr Bright Spark
September –
October
Yes/No
When?
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Further
action
Success?
Methods of communication?
There are many ways to get your message across these include:
Type
Description
Emails
A direct form of communication, but avoid overload.
Presentations/training
A dedicated presentation or longer-term training on a relevant topic.
Posters
These remind people to save energy, water or recycle but should be renewed at regular intervals.
Newsletters
Use existing communication where available, to inform people and report successes.
Meetings
Put environmental issues on the agenda.
Stickers
Encourage people to think about saving energy and water at the point of use.
Word-of-mouth
Generate messages to stimulate interest and get people talking.
Displays
Use part of an existing notice board or create a dedicated one about environmental issues.
Letters
Inform of changes, campaigns, upcoming events that may interest or effect them.
Payslips
Adding environmental tips to payslips is a good way of attention.
Literature
Create leaflets, booklets or newsletters on environmental issues.
Press release
Case studies on successes or changes to business activity.
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Communication ideas: Messages & slogans
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What a waste!
Almost £1.3 billion is wasted – equivalent to 4MtCO2 emissions – every year
when appliances are left on stand-by.
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Hot and bothered
For every 1ºC that your building is overheated up to 10% is added to your
heating costs.
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Cut and dried
A 20% cut in energy costs is equivalent to a 5% increase in sales in most
businesses.
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Less is more
Energy costs can usually be reduced by 10% – often by 20% – by simple
actions.
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Running empty
Motors can consume their purchase price in energy costs in just a few weeks.
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Communication ideas: Energy
In our office/factory we will:
 Switch off lights, computers & copiers when not in use
 Keep the temperature between 18 – 21°
 Use natural light as much as possible
 Use timers on devices for evening/weekends
 Buy energy efficient equipment
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Communication ideas: Waste
In our office/factory we will:
 Print only when necessary
 Use our recycling bins
 Use recycled/FSC paper
 Print double sided
 Use scrap paper for note taking
 Use reusable cups
 Have waste-free lunches
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Communication ideas: Travel
In our office/factory we will:
 Have a car share day one day a week
 Arrange meetings to be near public transport
 Use teleconferencing/Skype for long distance
meetings
 Maintain vehicle tyres regularly
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28
Good luck
Remember to contact Low Carbon Kent for free posters,
stickers and ideas. lowcarbon@kent.gov.uk
Links
Carbon Trust: Engaging Employees in Carbon Reduction
Futerra: Sell the Sizzle
WRAP: Find a local recycling collector
EST: Energy Saving Trust recommended products
Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28