The transition to sustainability doesn't have to be impossible. Our Chief Strategy Officer explains why and how Cognician can help.

While 90% of executives acknowledge the importance of sustainability, many organizations have yet to implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy. This often stems from the complexity of the issue, leaving many unsure of where to begin.

Historically, numerous businesses have operated unsustainably without a strong impetus for change. However, a new era of sustainability has dawned, and adopting sustainable business practices is no longer optional.

Every organization must now integrate sustainability into its core operations.

Organizations need only look to consumers for evidence of this shift. An Accenture report on sustainable development during the Covid-19 era revealed that 67% of consumers expect companies to invest in long-term sustainability initiatives. Additionally, 65% expect governments and businesses to prioritize climate change in the post-crisis economic recovery, and 40% of employees felt their organizations lacked a commitment to sustainability during the pandemic.

Companies that fail to adapt to consumer expectations face significant risks. For example, the oil and gas industry is under pressure to transition away from fossil fuels. With countries worldwide phasing out and banning fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, the substantial income from petroleum sales is jeopardized. Without sustainable practices, businesses reliant on diminishing resources face existential threats.

Investing in sustainability can yield substantial returns. In addition to securing the future of your business, sustainable practices can enhance profitability. Harvard economist Rebecca Henderson noted, "Doing good and doing well are intertwined, and successful business strategies include both."

Doing Good Means Doing Well

Consider Interface, a carpet tile manufacturer. In the early 1990s, founder Ray Anderson faced a pivotal moment when asked about his company's environmental impact. Realizing that nothing about the organization was sustainable, Ray underwent a transformation, recognizing that achieving sustainability was essential for future-proofing the business.

With this shift in mindset, Interface ambitiously aimed to have a zero negative impact on the planet by 2020. In the initial four years of their sustainability journey, they experienced a two-thirds increase in sales and a doubling of profits. By reducing waste by 40%, they achieved $76 million in cost savings, with annual savings reaching $185.4 million by 2000. By 2022, Interface operates on 99% renewable energy in the US and EU, and 60% of their carpet materials come from recycled or bio-based sources, reducing their carbon footprint by 69%.

Activate Sustainability In Your Organization with Cognician

The Interface story illustrates the transformative power of small, sustained actions. At Cognician, we fully support this approach. A common challenge businesses face is knowing where to start with sustainability efforts. While individual actions are manageable, shifting enterprise-wide mindsets and sustaining momentum can be daunting.

Cognician’s Employee Activation Platform Is Designed to Help.

Our recently launched Sustainability Quest, part of the Activation Collection, focuses on five themes aligned with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. It encourages sustainable behaviors starting at home, extending to work teams, and ultimately influencing the entire enterprise. The Quest empowers participants to shift their mindsets and understand that sustainability begins with individual actions, enabling them to make a meaningful impact.

The Sustainability Quest initiates a dialogue to combat climate change inertia one step at a time. By providing a gamified experience, users can take small actions and share their thoughts and feelings about sustainability, enabling organizations to crowdsource ideas for transitioning towards sustainability. Who better to consult than your employees?

Let Cognician assist your organization in taking the first step towards sustainability. Contact Cognician today to learn how our customized employee activation experiences can support your organization.