staff engagement

Environmental

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).

Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28

Overview

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.

Business and the environment

10% of businesses energy is wasted

60% of waste can be recycled

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 yoursignificant 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 awarenessto reduce these impacts.

Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28

Current environmental awareness

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.

Firstly, you should identify the current awareness amongst your staff

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.

Examples

Give induction on environmental policy

Choose local contractors

Examples

• Lights off when leaving.

• Eco-friendly cleaning products

• Location of recycling bins

Examples

• Inform where to recycle electrical equipment

• Encourage to reuse packaging

• Give directions using sustainable transport

Examples

• Ask to minimise packaging

• Deliver in bulk

• Choose local suppliers

Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28

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:

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?

Action Audience Person Responsible

Time Successful? Further action

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

What?

When?

Who? How?

Success?

Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28

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

What a waste!Almost £1.3 billion is wasted – equivalent to 4MtCO2 emissions – every year when appliances are left on stand-by.

Hot and botheredFor every 1ºC that your building is overheated up to 10% is added to your heating costs.

Cut and driedA 20% cut in energy costs is equivalent to a 5% increase in sales in most businesses.

Less is moreEnergy costs can usually be reduced by 10% – often by 20% – by simple actions.

Running emptyMotors 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

LinksCarbon Trust: Engaging Employees in Carbon ReductionFuterra: Sell the SizzleWRAP: Find a local recycling collectorEST: Energy Saving Trust recommended products

Environmental staff engagement | 2013.05.28