Green Management

Our planet is our most precious resource that we have, so protecting needs to be everyone's responsibility.

Growing concerns about climate change and carbon emissions have resulted in a number of global, national and local initiatives being introduced to help protect the planet and create a more sustainable future.

Global corporations, such as Amazon, Apple, General Motors and Google, have also begun to change the way that they operate to ensure a greener future, and many more brands are using their influence and purchasing power to encourage sustainability.

In this article, we explore why green management should matter to your organization, what it really means to be "green," and how taking even small steps can have a positive effect on the planet – and on your bottom line.

What Is Green Management?

Ask 100 people what "green" means and you'll get 100 different answers, from "living off the land" to "recycling plastic bottles."

But, at its core, green management is about becoming aware of how your behavior, working practices or production methods impact the environment, and what you can do to reduce your environmental "footprint" and make your business more sustainable   .

This may include measures such as:

• Reducing pollution.
• Introducing recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
• Using sustainable supplier and production chains.
• Increasing your usage of renewable and sustainable energy.
• Offsetting your carbon footprint with green initiatives, such as rewilding, tree planting programs, or partnerships with environmental charities.
• Investing in green technologies.

The Benefits of Green Management

Many of us want to "do our bit" for the environment, and there are many good reasons to do so. Preventing pollution, for example, can improve our health; protecting wildlife means that we can continue to enjoy our natural world; and reducing consumption preserves resources for the future.

For organizations, failure to comply with your country's environmental legislation can result in prosecution and financial penalties. But greener working practices can also reduce costs and save you money, too. Several large U.S. corporations, such as Apple, Google and Facebook now claim to be completely carbon neutral, and have already set further goals to achieve carbon neutrality across their entire supply chains in forthcoming years. [1] [2] [3]

Businesses that demonstrate their commitment to the environment may also benefit from enhanced brand reputation, engagement and employee well-being. (For more on this, read our article, Corporate Social Responsibility   , and listen to our Expert Interview with brand strategist and researcher Anne Bahr Thompson, Do Good   .)

In addition, green initiatives can stimulate innovation   and reveal new sources of revenue, or even entirely new products.

Toyota, for example, recognized the growing need and demand for more energy-efficient motoring. This led it to develop and launch the first mass-produced hybrid car, the Prius, in 1997. The product launch set the company apart from its competitors, and opened up a new market by appealing to eco-conscious drivers.

10 Tips for Creating a Greener Workplace

With all of these benefits in mind, what can you do to make your own workplace greener?

The first step is to make a commitment to change your behavior. Then, consider the following 10 ways to make your workplace kinder to the environment:

1. Assess Your Current Position

Audit your organization's current working practices, and assess the environmental impact of each. This will highlight potential areas for change.

For example, you might be spending more on utility bills than you'd expect. Your waste production may be higher than the industry average, or your team might be purchasing items that they it doesn't really need.

Look at simple things you could change to. Could you move to a paperless office or install recycling bins for people to sort their waste, for example?

2. Set Specific and Measurable Environmental Goals

Once you've assessed your environmental impact, set goals   for reducing it. Make sure that these are realistic and achievable, and put in place processes that will enable you to track your progress accurately.

If possible, conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis   for your green initiatives to demonstrate the savings that they will make.

3. Think Twice Before You Buy

The best way to prevent waste, and to reduce the need for recycling, is to use less in the first place. So, remember the words "reduce, reuse, recycle" – in that order!

Look for areas where you can switch to reusable products: items like dishware and cutlery, for example. And use cloth towels or energy-saving hand-dryers instead of paper towels in the bathrooms.

And, before you make a purchase, ask yourself: do I really need it? Could I use something that I already have? Where's it coming from? Is there a more eco-friendly alternative, with less packaging, for example?

4. Make Recycling Easy

Place recycling points in prominent spots around the office, and clearly signpost which items people can and cannot recycle.

Also, consider how you can responsibly dispose of larger or potentially hazardous items, such as electronics and batteries. For example, you can often donate computers to charity, or use specialized services to recycle them. If in doubt, check the advice provided from your local authority before you throw something in the trash.

5. Watch Your Power Use

Office lighting is an "easy win." Energy-efficient LED bulbs, for example, can use 70-75 percent less energy, emit far less heat, and last up to 50 times longer.

Get into the habit of turning off the lights when you leave the room, too. You could even install motion sensors that turn off lights automatically in bathrooms, break rooms and conference areas.

Computers, printers, and other AC- or mains-powered devices consume energy even when they're not being used. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, switching them off fully could save your organization $25-$75 per machine, per year. [4] "Smart" power strips, which stop power consumption completely when you turn off a machine, are another good way to tackle this.

Then, when it's time to upgrade, consider switching to energy-saving laptops, many of which can use up to 80 percent less energy than desktop computers.

6. Switch Energy Suppliers

Many utility companies use renewable energy sources. Changing your energy supplier could save your organization money, and reduce or offset your organization's carbon footprint.

If it's feasible, you could also consider installing solar panels or "micro" wind turbines onsite to generate your own energy.

7. Plant Trees

If your workplace has plenty of space, consider introducing tree planting initiatives. These can save energy and make your work environment healthier and more attractive.

Planting large deciduous trees where you get afternoon sun (the west and southwest sides of your building in the northern hemisphere; the west and northwest in the southern hemisphere) can significantly reduce your air conditioning costs.

Trees also help to block cold winter winds, so planting coniferous trees (on the northern side in the northern hemisphere, and the south in the southern hemisphere) could also keep your winter heating costs down.

If you can't plant trees, placing plants around the office can help to clean the air and promote natural climate control.

8. Cut Down on Car Journeys

If it's appropriate, allow people to work from home   one or more days each week. This saves on commuting time, and reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Carpooling is another great option. You could set up an information board or intranet page to connect people who travel similar routes to work.

You could also encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transportation, by posting transit schedules and bike routes, and by arranging cycle-to-work schemes.

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9. Make Use of Technology

Do you really need to fly to that face-to-face meeting in another city or country? Using technology to conduct virtual training, catch-ups   , conferences   , or even job interviews   is often more cost-effective, as well as more environmentally friendly.

10. Review Your Suppliers

When you're auditing your organization's environmental outputs, consider your extended network, too: how green are your suppliers?

If you have concerns, investigate (or discuss with your procurement   department) whether you could change your supplier   , or encourage them to work in a greener way. Perhaps they could package items more efficiently to cut down on waste, or use electronic invoices instead of paper.

Inspiring Others

Green initiatives have the biggest impact when they are a group effort. And, regardless of your role or position, you can inspire others to join in. For example, you can:

• Share your passion. If you feel strongly about making your office greener, don't hide it. Start discussions and share your knowledge! Sometimes, simply raising awareness is enough to prompt action.
• Offer to be the "point person." Some organizations don't have the resources to focus on green working practices, so offer to take the lead or set up an organization-wide "eco squad" with like-minded people. Share tips on environmental initiatives and volunteering opportunities.
• Keep an eye on the latest developments. Consider how an environmentally friendly approach might apply to your office and your organization, now and in the future.
• Build a business case   for your ideas. If your initiatives require investment from the board, a "yes" is more likely if you can clearly demonstrate the potential savings or returns.
• Set realistic targets. Pick one thing that you can all do to be greener, and commit to it. By focusing on one activity at a time, you can gradually form new, more beneficial habits   .
• Celebrate your wins. If you've made a difference, celebrate it! Acknowledging success is a great way to encourage long-term change.