So you know your workplace could easily reduce its environmental footprint and you’re eager to help make a difference. The problem? Knowing exactly what to do — and where to start.
A year ago, WWF-Canada launched its Living Planet @ Work program, helping some of Canada’s largest companies take firm, decisive action to become gentler on the planet. Each corporation paid in, and the program was based in Ontario.
A year later, the program is being hugely expanded. Starting very soon, any size company anywhere in Canada can take part. And the best news of all? It’s free.
“It’s all customized tools and activities and support programs for our corporate partners to educate and inspire their employees for sustainability initiatives,” says Hadley Archer, WWF-Canada’s VP of strategic partnerships and fundraising. “Often, these companies already know all this stuff. What they struggle with is how to meaningfully engage their employees.”
Alicia Nixon is the environmental lead for Accenture Canada, one of this nation’s top management consulting, technology services and outsourcing firms. She says the program has benefited the company in multiple ways.
“We’ve incorporated all 11 of our offices across Canada into this program,” she says. “It’s becoming more and more important to incoming employees to be part of a company that is a responsible corporate citizen. These types of initiatives are very well received by the employees.”
“There’s a series of things that are common for most companies that we help them develop,” Archer adds.
“This is to get people in an office environment educated and inspired — everything from paper use to lighting to how companies can meet in a more environmentally responsible way. And also how to tap into some of our campaigns — like Earth Hour and the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.”
And coming this fall, the doors will be open to any Canadian company that wants to take part.
“In partnership with Hewlett-Packard, we are launching a new second tier that will be free, aimed really at small and medium-sized businesses, to provide them a whole suite of online tools to support their initiatives,” Archer explains.
“We’re hoping to get upwards of 500 companies to join.”
