The ICRS was delighted to host an in-depth discussion on Net Zero Culture: engaging employees to achieve your net zero strategy.
The session, attended by over 120 people, explored how culture can either help or hinder organisations in achieving Net Zero goals. Organisational culture is experienced at every level, from the individual through to organisational. It enables businesses to achieve, deliver and transform. The speakers shared how culture can help us drive the changes we urgently need in response to the climate crisis and help us engage employees on the journey to Net Zero.
The session was facilitated by Nadia Al Yafai, ICRS Board Director, Social Impact & Just Transition Consultant.
The audience was treated to insightful discussions and Q&A with expert speakers:
Nick Tatchell, Founder of NetZero.Work (www.netzero.work)
Clare Martin, Purpose, Climate and DE&I Curriculum Lead, NatWest Group
Background
What is Net Zero Culture and why is it important?
We hear businesses talking proudly about their safety culture, innovative culture, or customer service culture. But how many can truthfully say that they have a Net Zero culture? Indeed, how many can say they have even thought about their culture through a Net Zero ‘lens’?
Nick Tatchell introduced the audience to a unique Net Zero Culture framework against which business culture can be assessed.
The Net Zero Culture framework addresses three key levels.
- The Individual level – Day to Day actions and behaviours by individuals.
- The Team level – The experience of working as part of a team, which includes goal setting, objectives, team dynamics etc.
- The Organisational level – Looking at organisational vision, values, purpose, policies, incentives etc. through a net zero ‘lens’.
Clare Martin gave the audience insight into organisational culture from NatWest’s perspective, exploring why culture is vital to achieving Net Zero business goals.
Key Take Aways
- Organisational culture can be looked at as “the way we do things around here”.
- Culture is a vital, but often overlooked, resource in the transition to a Net Zero business.
- Culture needs to evolve. The culture that made a business successful in the past might not be fit for the (Net Zero) future.
- Open, two-way communication with employees is key in helping organisations achieve their Net Zero goals.
- Collaboration and partnerships are key to working on the Net Zero challenge.
- Culture change requires a dual approach to be truly successful: transformational, trustworthy leadership from the top down to drive vision and strategy, and a bottom-up approach that empowers employees, through learning and development, to drive change themselves.
- Leaders as role models are important in embedding a Net Zero culture.
What can we all do right now?
- Reflect on our existing culture and practices against the Net Zero culture framework.
- Look for alignment with other culture change programmes or initiatives.
- Get data on your current culture i.e. surveys, research.
- Identify the curators of culture in your organisation.
- Get started. Culture is part of the solution.
Resources:
NatWest Group – Our approach to climate: https://www.natwestgroup.com/sustainability/environment-and-climate/our-approach-to-climate-change.html
NatWest Group – Our 2022 Climate-related disclosures report
Climate support for businesses
https://www.natwest.com/business/green-banking.html
NetZero.Work’s Net Zero Culture framework:
https://www.netzero.work/framework/
Introduction to Net Zero Culture (2 blogs):
https://www.netzero.work/2022/02/03/harnessing-the-power-of-organisational-culture/
https://www.netzero.work/2022/02/16/a-net-zero-culture-for-a-net-zero-future/
Rewatch the Net Zero Culture: engaging employees to achieve your net zero strategy Webinar