Only 19% of UK professionals believe their workplace is truly sustainable, as discovered in a recent survey by Robert Walters.
- Despite 48% of companies claiming to have sustainability goals, efforts appear insufficient, highlighting a significant gap between intention and action.
- Reflecting on these findings, UK organisations face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, which contributes almost 19% of national emissions.
- Sustainability and climate considerations have become more prominent for 60% of professionals, yet only 22% of employers acknowledge this shift.
- The onus of creating sustainable workplaces is debated, with questions about the roles of employers and employees in driving change.
In a recent survey conducted by recruitment firm Robert Walters, a strikingly low percentage of professionals – only 19% – perceive their workplace as sustainable, despite the significant rhetoric surrounding corporate sustainability efforts.
While 48% of companies assert they have clear sustainability goals, the survey suggests these efforts are falling short. The data reveals a concerning disconnect between employers’ stated ambitions and the actual impact observed by their staff.
Chris Eldridge, CEO of Robert Walters UK, emphasised the responsibility of businesses to address climate change. He noted that UK businesses accounted for nearly 19% of carbon emissions in 2022, underscoring the critical need for action to mitigate environmental impact.
Sustainability has risen in importance for many, with three in five professionals marking it as a higher priority over the past year. However, this sentiment is not mirrored among employers, with only 22% recognising the increased emphasis on sustainability.
When asked about sustainability responsibilities, 32% of professionals pointed to senior leaders, 21% to office managers, and a notable portion believed employees themselves should take an active role.
The survey illuminated the extensive waste generated in UK offices, with an estimated 500 kilograms of waste per employee annually, ranging from plastic to electronic waste.
Eldridge advised companies to adopt several strategies to enhance sustainability. These include conducting waste audits, assigning specific ESG roles, partnering with consultancies, offering sustainable alternatives, and creating collective sustainability incentives.
Commenting on workplace waste, Eldridge stated, “Plastic and physical waste is just the tip of the iceberg”; there are also broader issues like energy use and travel emissions, which have substantial environmental and financial implications.
To truly foster workplace sustainability, both organisations and employees must collaborate to bridge the gap between intention and practice.
