Green Initiatives in HR
An initiative is said to be green if it involves environmentally friendly actions that reduce an employee's carbon footprint. From an HR function perspective, it is primarily focused on increasing efficiency within processes, reducing and eliminating environmental waste, and lowering costs.
Green Initiatives in the HR Function
- Initiate a reward/recognition program for employees for their go-green initiatives in their respective areas of work.
- Secure a commitment for action from senior management and set up a cross-functional core group to identify, implement, and monitor go-green initiatives.
- Educate and raise awareness among employees.
- Encourage electronic filing.
- Online sharing of training/self-learning materials.
- Encourage employees to turn off their computer monitors when they are away from their desks.
- Leave only minimal lighting on during non-business hours if necessary for safety.
- Effective use of LED technology for office lighting arrangements.
- Encourage writing below your official email signature a default line: "Save a Tree! Kindly don't print this email unless you really need to."
- Waste to Wealth: Encourage employees to segregate waste at their workstations. Tie up with NGOs that take this further and recycle it.
- Reduce frequent flier miles: Substitute emission-enhancing actions (e.g., air travel) by adopting technology applications like teleconferencing, video conferencing, and virtual interviews.
- Letters and faxes have been replaced by emails and scanners.
- Encourage the use of recycled paper.
- Use compostable utensils, cups, and plates in the cafeteria.
- Reduce the use of paper cups.
- Work with IT to change printing defaults to duplex printing.
- For internal travel in large factory premises, encourage electricity-operated cars/scooters/cycles rather than petrol/diesel-fueled vehicles.
- Introduce a subsidized loan scheme for employees who opt for green technology cars/scooters.
- Drive green initiatives for your customers as well, thus making it a corporate sustainability strategy.
Regards