Change Through People
People are the make-or-break factor for corporate sustainability efforts: however brilliant the strategy, it’s ultimately employees who need to execute it. While an engaged workforce with supportive management can achieve significant impact, even the best plans can easily be derailed when people are not on board. This is where HR needs to play an increasingly important part in sustainable transformation within companies.
In October 2023 a conversation we had on this topic with Angus MacGregor, then Global Head of HR for MUFG, highlighted the fact that many HR leaders are looking for ideas and guidance on how to do this better, and the concept for an event was born.
On March 19, 2024, we gathered around 30 people - including sustainability practitioners, HR leaders, and Communications specialists - with speakers and panelists from SK, Uzabase, Unilever, LIXIL, NN and IKEA to explore this trend and uncover opportunities for action.
Through the presentations, workshop and discussion, five clear imperatives emerged, addressing underlying employee concerns:
Define purpose - what does sustainability mean for us as a company?
Create relevance - what does it mean for me as an individual?
Demonstrate importance - what support do we have?
Build belonging - where do I fit in?
Communicate progress - how far do we have to go?
Support throughout - why should I get / stay involved?
In addressing each of these areas, HR must play an integral role in sustainable transformation, mobilising, engaging and coordinating the people who can make lasting change happen.
Engaging in dialogue with some of Japan’s top HR and communications leaders at the event revealed clear opportunities for companies to optimise their sustainability strategy. From defining and communicating a clear purpose around sustainability and linking that to the individual employee experience; to engaging with senior management and assuring team members of their buy-in; to creating welcoming workplaces that empower employees of all backgrounds and identities to play a part; to communicating progress openly to both internal and external stakeholders.
People are central to companies’ sustainability efforts, and there are opportunities to engage people at every stage of the process. Securing resources, clarifying rationale, goals and expectations, and demonstrating management’s support are essential for success. A clear story, which aligns with the company culture and purpose has the power to engage and motivate members throughout the organisation. But it cannot stop at narrative: to gain people’s trust, there must be clear KPIs and tangible actions, communicated in an appropriate manner.
Some of this may fall outside the traditional remit of HR teams, and there is of course an inherent need in this work for cross-departmental collaboration. It is quite clear, though, that HR has a role to play in driving sustainability transformation, which is, after all, a process of organisational change. Sustainability is about people, for people, and anyone who specialises in dealing with people needs to be front and centre of the movement for change.
Download the full event report for more details.