Engaging Employees to Cut Carbon Emissions: 6 Practical Steps for the Workplace
- Junah Espinar
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, technology and infrastructure matter but people matter even more. Engaged employees can make a huge difference in shrinking a company’s carbon footprint, especially when they are empowered to take part in sustainability initiatives. By involving staff in daily practices, offering training, and rewarding innovative ideas, businesses can turn carbon reduction into a shared responsibility.
Why Employee Engagement Matters
Research shows that engaged employees are more likely to adopt sustainable habits both at work and in their personal lives. This ripple effect not only reduces emissions but also fosters a culture of responsibility and innovation. A workforce that feels included in sustainability goals can accelerate a company’s journey toward net zero. As our sustainability intern, Imogen Morgan, puts it:
“Employees want to feel that their actions make a difference. When businesses encourage and support sustainable behaviour, it’s not just the environment that benefits the sense of pride and purpose grows across the team too.”
Her words highlight a simple truth: people are at the heart of sustainable progress.
Practical Ways to Involve Employees 1. Cut Back on Plastic Waste
Plastic may seem harmless at first glance, but the impact is clear: every kilo of plastic created generates around 2.9kg of greenhouse gas emissions. Encouraging staff to ditch single-use plastic and switch to recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable alternatives can significantly cut emissions.
Companies can:
· Install built-in recycling units in offices.
· Provide reusable alternatives for everyday items (bottles, coffee cups, cutlery).
· Offer incentives for staff who actively reduce plastic waste.
Even simple actions like avoiding single-use water bottles add up when multiplied across hundreds of employees.
2. Smarter Energy Use in the Office
Small adjustments to workplace energy consumption can create measurable reductions. For example:
· Installing timers in areas used less often, such as storage rooms.
· Replacing outdated lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
· Encouraging staff to switch off equipment when not in use.
Behavioural changes may seem minor, but in offices where equipment and lighting are running constantly, they quickly translate into meaningful energy savings.
3. Rethink Transport and Travel
Transport is one of the largest contributors to workplace emissions, particularly under Scope 3 emissions, which account for around 90% of a typical business’s carbon footprint. Businesses can rethink travel by:
· Setting up a carpooling scheme, supported by group chats for coordination.
· Offering travel incentives to encourage alternatives to driving, such as cycling or public transport.
· Replacing some short-haul flights with virtual meetings or engaging with airlines that are investing in emission reduction initiatives.
As Imogen explains, “Business travel is often overlooked, but it’s one of the biggest contributors to a company’s footprint. A thoughtful approach like reducing unnecessary trips or working with more sustainable travel providers can have a huge impact.”
4. Reward and Recognise Sustainable Efforts
Incentives matter. From monthly recognition awards to sustainability challenges with tangible rewards, acknowledging staff contributions reinforces the importance of shared action. Some organisations even offer “green bonuses” or extra leave days for employees who consistently meet sustainability goals.
Celebrating progress not only boosts morale but also sparks friendly competition, helping sustainability become part of the company’s culture.
5. Empower Through Training and Projects
Knowledge is power and sustainability training provides employees with the tools to act. Workshops, lunch-and-learn sessions, or even office garden projects can make environmental awareness engaging and practical. These initiatives turn sustainability from a “tick-box exercise” into something visible and meaningful.
Employees who feel they are part of projects beyond their day-to-day tasks are more motivated to champion change. For example, staff-led garden or recycling projects can encourage cross-team collaboration while embedding sustainable practices into workplace culture.
6.The Bigger Picture: Beyond the Office
While daily actions like reducing plastic and saving energy are vital, businesses should also focus on Scope 3 emissions covering supply chains, business travel, and purchased goods. Addressing these areas often requires external collaboration, such as working with suppliers on greener packaging or negotiating with travel providers to improve sustainability options.
These efforts may seem more complex, but they provide the biggest opportunity for long-term carbon reduction. By aligning with partners who share sustainability values, businesses can extend their positive impact well beyond their own walls.
Cutting carbon emissions isn’t just about technology or top-down policies. It’s about creating an engaged, motivated workforce that understands its role in tackling climate change. By empowering employees to make small, consistent changes and by rewarding those efforts businesses can build a culture of sustainability that delivers long-term impact.
The path to reducing carbon emissions is a shared journey. And in that journey, employees aren’t just passengers they’re the drivers of change.
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