As organizations strive to meet global sustainability targets and reduce their environmental footprint, they require a workforce equipped to implement effective strategies. Kai Kowarsch, Business Development Lead in the DACH region for The Climate School, discusses empowering organizations to train their employees and navigate the complexities of sustainability.

With a background in business and sustainability studies, Kai's passion for addressing global challenges through the intersection of companies and policy led him to AXA Climate. Now, he contributes to sustainability education at the Climate School, offering e-learning modules to help companies build a workforce capable of driving impactful sustainability initiatives.

Enhancing Engagement through Sustainability Education in the Workplace

In the realm of corporate sustainability, organizations are often eager to showcase their commitment through the launch of specific sustainability initiatives. However, as Kai Kowarsch underscores, companies frequently embark on these initiatives without first laying a foundational understanding among their workforce.

Kai notes, "Companies usually want to start, or they have been starting already with a few projects around sustainability that are very specific. Let's say maybe to ‘reduce plastics in their everyday production processes’, or they want to ‘assess their product carbon footprint for this product division’. Very specific projects, without having beforehand done the first step to put all of that in context for your employees. As a sustainability officer, you are certainly aware of all these details, but it’s important to remember that you cannot assume the same for everyone else."

Expanding on the necessity of educational programs, Kai highlights their dual benefit: enhancing workplace engagement and serving as a motivational tool from the employees’ perspective. "We have more and more studies also showing that usually more than 70 to 80% of your employees, they want to get trained on those matters. They are interested in these issues and are eager to really make a change in your organization." This sentiment is echoed by a 2021 IBM study which found that 71% of employees and job seekers consider environmentally sustainable companies more attractive employers. These insights collectively stress the importance of integrating comprehensive sustainability education across all levels of a company, ensuring that every employee not only understands but is also empowered to contribute to the organization’s sustainability goals.

Broadening the Scope of Sustainability Across Departments

Another key insight from Kai is the importance of viewing sustainability as an organization-wide endeavor. While sustainability managers typically lead these efforts, Kai emphasizes that sustainability concerns must permeate all departments. From procurement to HR to marketing, every team member must understand how their role contributes to achieving the organization's sustainability goals. As he states, "It is important to see the need that sustainability is a topic that is not only relevant to the CSR department or the sustainability department, but is actually affecting the entire company and the entire value chain. Understanding the importance of the need, our clients usually want to tailor certain e-learning modules and training paths to the different functions they have in their organizations."

His view on the comprehensive approach is supported by environmental management systems and corporate sustainability software, which help integrate sustainability into every business unit. According to a 2021 Gartner report, organizations that employ cross-departmental sustainability measures improve their compliance with global standards by 40% and enhance their overall sustainability outcomes.

To further facilitate this broadened approach, the deployment of corporate sustainability software serves as a vital sustainable business solution. By applying the knowledge learned in practical and impactful ways across all operational levels through carbon footprint tracking and automated sustainability reporting, organizations can ensure that their sustainability efforts are both measurable and effective. This enables comprehensive understanding and management of environmental impacts, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Committing to Long-term Sustainability Education

Finally, Kai insists that sustainability training is not a "quick fix" but requires a long-term commitment to build awareness and embed sustainable practices throughout an organization. He emphasizes, "We usually work with clients on a long-term basis. Sustainability training and awareness-building in your organization is not a quick fix. This is actually a continuous, long-term commitment required to embed sustainability within an organization, using concise, step-by-step content." As sustainability reporting frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) evolve, the need for continuous education becomes even more pressing.

Recent research supports this, highlighting that companies investing in comprehensive sustainability training see significant improvements in their environmental performance. In a study conducted by the International Labour Organization, companies with active sustainability programs reported a 16% increase in productivity. Thus, embracing sustainability as a core strategy not only enhances environmental stewardship but also boosts organizational productivity, proving that a dedicated, educated approach to sustainability is not just beneficial, but essential for future success.

Conclusion

To sum up, Kai Kowarsch highlights the importance of e-learning for spreading sustainability knowledge widely in large organizations amid the urgency of climate change. He stresses the need for a holistic approach involving all departments to effectively reduce emissions and advocates for long-term commitment to training programs. By implementing a structured and comprehensive sustainability program, organizations can achieve environmental targets and cultivate a culture of ongoing improvement and responsibility.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any company.