Sustainability isn’t just a corporate obligation to be shouldered begrudgingly. It’s a runway for innovation, offering businesses the lift they need to thrive in a changing world. Climate change, shifting regulations, and new working methods are accelerating the need for action. As a leader shaping your company’s future, you can drive workplace sustainability beyond surface-level commitments and into real, measurable change.
This guide provides a 360-degree perspective on the sustainability megatrends and forces of change reshaping the modern workplace. We also introduce a diagnostic toolkit to help you assess your company’s sustainability journey and identify practical steps to move forward. In addition, we examine several sustainability takeaways that can significantly impact your HR and internal communications strategies.
But keep in mind that change isn’t happening in isolation. Global challenges are redefining how we work and do business.
Decade of disruption
This decade was already poised for profound transformation, even before the Covid-19 crisis and accelerating climate change in early 2020. Emerging technologies, shifting consumer expectations, and regulatory pressures laid the foundations for large-scale industry disruption.
The global pandemic acted as a catalyst, fast-tracking economic and social shifts already underway. Businesses had to adapt rapidly, restructuring operations, rethinking supply chains, and embracing remote and hybrid work models. Entire industries evolved overnight, permanently reshaping how we live, work, and interact with the world.
But Covid-19 was just one disruptive force. A broader set of disruptions has been shaping the future of work and business. Here, we explore the key influencing factors behind our current workplace sustainability status.
Industry 4.0: The Fourth Industrial Revolution
We are in the middle of a new industrial revolution driven by digital transformation. Industry 4.0 builds on past industrial revolutions, moving from mechanical production and electrification to automation and advanced computing. Today, artificial intelligence, robotics, and interconnected systems are transforming how we manufacture, distribute, and consume goods.
These advancements bring significant opportunities for workplace sustainability. Smarter offices, factories, and supply chains can enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource use. If designed with sustainability in mind, Industry 4.0 can accelerate progress toward a low-carbon, high-efficiency future.
The Circular Economy: rethinking waste
Traditional economic models follow a linear pattern: take, make, and waste. The circular economy challenges this concept by advocating for a system where resources are continuously reused, repurposed, and recycled. Organizations can eliminate waste, lower carbon emissions, and create long-term economic value by redesigning supply chains, production processes, and business models.
Companies adopting circular economy principles are shifting towards closed-loop systems in which materials are recovered and reintroduced rather than discarded. This shift reduces environmental impact, strengthens customer relationships, increases supply chain resilience, and drives innovation in product design.
"Adopting circular-economy principles could not only benefit Europe environmentally and socially but could also generate a net economic benefit of €1.8 trillion by 2030."
McKinsey Center for Business and Environment, 2015
Climate change: a defining challenge
Humans have relied on weather patterns for centuries to shape agriculture, trade, and urban development. But today, climate change forces us to rethink how we do business. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and increasing natural disasters pose growing risks to companies and economies worldwide.
The urgency of climate action is apparent. Unchecked greenhouse gas emissions will lead to more severe disruptions, from supply chain breakdowns to workforce displacement. Nearly all countries have ratified the Paris Agreement - the legally binding international treaty on climate change - signaling a commitment to reducing emissions and mitigating risks. Businesses that take proactive steps now, through measures like carbon reduction, renewable energy investments, and sustainable practices, will be better positioned for long-term success.
2030 global goals: a blueprint for action
The United Nations has marked the end of this decade as the goal post year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 interconnected goals provide a framework for companies to align their operations with social and environmental progress.
Businesses worldwide are integrating SDGs into their strategies, tracking performance, and reporting on workplace sustainability initiatives. While progress remains uneven, corporate leadership is critical in turning global commitments into real action. Companies that embrace SDGs as a strategic priority can drive meaningful change while enhancing their resilience and long-term profitability.
"The world is coming to recognize more and more that problems in one country reverberate in another… That is why it is so important to make the most of our collective strengths."
Ban Ki-moon, Former United Nations Secretary-General
Global health crises: a wake-up call
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, healthcare systems, and business continuity plans. It also highlighted the interconnectedness of global economies and the need for preparedness to address large-scale crises and future globalization-propelled pandemics.
One lesson is clear: resilience must be built into every aspect of business operations. Just as the pandemic response required collective action, so does the fight against climate change. Companies that invest in sustainable, crisis-proof strategies will be better equipped to navigate future disruptions.
“Many of the root causes of climate change also increase the risk of pandemics. Deforestation, which occurs mostly for agricultural purposes, is the largest cause of habitat loss worldwide. Loss of habitat forces animals to migrate and potentially contact other animals or people and share germs.“
Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, 2020
The Green Recovery: building back better
The pandemic-fueled economic downturn paved the way for a green recovery, with governments and businesses linking economic stimulus to sustainability initiatives. The European Union, among others, has prioritized climate-positive investments in post-pandemic recovery plans.
Major industries are accelerating clean energy transitions, electrifying transportation, and funding new technologies to drive a low-carbon economy. With investor demand for sustainability at an all-time high, businesses that embed climate resilience into their recovery strategies will gain a competitive edge while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Megatrends shaping sustainable workplaces
Megatrends are massive cultural shifts that unfold in real-time, creating identifiable patterns that can be observed and interacted with as they emerge and evolve to affect society at large.
Many leading trend analysis organizations - such as PWC, Deloitte, BlackRock, ESPAS, the International Labor Organization, and MIT - have all pointed to a convergence of megatrends that are already well underway and which will continue to affect the global economy and flow into our working and personal lives.
One of the main recurring megatrends in all the reports is climate change and the economic disruptions it brings, specifically regarding the energy industry, resource scarcity, and supply chain changes.
Other megatrends affecting this decade include demographic shifts such as urbanization, massive technological changes like AI and automation, the concentration of wealth and geographical changes in wealth distribution, the potential risks of global pandemics, and major international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the civil war in Sudan.
Climate change adaptation
Climate change adaptation involves reducing actions that contribute to the release of atmospheric compounds that trap heat and increase the planet’s temperature. This has led to more extreme weather events and irreversible changes to the global climate systems. We are seeing an increase in actions that promote a climate-positive society at all levels, from government to business to individual citizens.
Transition to the Circular Economy
Industry leans towards business models and production processes that enable products to be recaptured and reused in higher-value ways, massively reducing waste and increasing customer satisfaction. Materials flow through value chains that ensure waste is recaptured, and businesses move to closed-loop production models. Customers adapt to reuse, repair, and recapture systems.
Waste crises
2018 started the collapse of the global recycling industry, with China refusing to continue taking the world’s trash. This led to a reckoning with the addictive nature of waste generation in a linear economy. Coinciding with the rise in awareness and concerns around ocean plastic waste, we are seeing a push towards reducing the reliance on single-use disposable plastic products especially, but waste at all levels, such as food and fashion, is also seeing consumer-driven demand for changes.
Zero waste movement
The consumer backlash against hyper-disposable design is growing as the tide of plastic washes up on beaches worldwide. This has prompted a movement of consumer-led practices that reject products that are overly packaged or single-use and instead seek out services, shops, and consumer goods that enable a reduction in personal waste production to zero or below. The reduction involves adapting entirely new business strategies, whereby linear product delivery systems are transformed into circular ones, and waste is designed out of the entire system.
Pollution prevention
There are ongoing actions to reduce air, water, and land emissions from factories, cars, and other industrial processes to significantly reduce pollution-related issues, from air pollutant deaths to water and land contamination. Environmental management is now considered through direct and indirect impacts by understanding and working with the entire value and supply chain and taking full responsibility for the effects of business activities.
Resource scarcity
Global supply chains consume vast amounts of natural resources, and the exponential growth of linear products has placed significant pressure on natural systems, resulting in less available resources - with some reaching a critical point of scarcity. As resources become more expensive and rare, we will see a shift towards more effective management of resources and protection, waste mining, and significantly more efficient methods of capturing and reusing high-value materials. Global security depends on our ability to protect natural resources needed for a healthy society.
Risk management
Many of the world’s most prominent financial institutions, underwriters, investors, and shareholders now demand that decisions be made concerning climate change and social equity due to the real risks and threats to financial security. These concerns have been brewing for many years, and even before Covid-19, organizations were starting to rethink the way they do business so that they could meet pressures to act on climate change, respond to resource scarcity issues, and meet the growing consumer demand for zero waste and ethical supply chains. The pandemic expedited the adjustment to these trends, and the need for business operations to change will only increase over the next decade.
Worker and supply chain equity
Sustainability is about social equity as much as it is about environmental protection. Many organizations now have to assess and change supply chains to ensure equity for workers and producers, fair wages, safe working conditions, a massive reduction in ecological impacts, and no unethical processes, illegal activities, or harmful actions embedded in how goods and services are produced and delivered to market. Furthermore, companies must fully integrate diversity and equity training to enable just and fair workplaces for people of all races and identities.
The Unily Census: Sustainability at work
In 2020, Unily’s Future of the Workplace Census, conducted by Censuswide, provided valuable insights into employee perspectives on sustainability in the workplace. The census analyzed data from 2,000 UK-based office workers, revealing their attitudes toward environmental values, corporate sustainability goals, and the role of the workplace in driving positive change. The findings highlighted a growing expectation for businesses to take meaningful action on workplace sustainability and integrate environmental responsibility into their operations.
Drivers of change
Trends are driven by forces for change, of which there are many influencing changes. In exploring the megatrends and the disruptive shifts defining this decade, 12 drivers of change emerged, demonstrating micro-transformative forces shaping how businesses operate and workplaces evolve.
This section explores the relationship between business and sustainability, showing the drivers influencing change as identified through our trend analysis. We explore how they emerged and what pioneering organizations are already doing to adapt to these influential forces, showing how the post-pandemic landscape, sustainability, climate change, and the Circular Economy affect the workforce in multi-pronged ways.
Climate change and business strategy
Business operations are deeply interconnected with environmental systems. From raw material extraction to manufacturing, transportation, and office waste, every aspect of an organization contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. The challenge now is to redesign business models to minimize harm and actively contribute to environmental restoration. Companies that integrate sustainability into their operations - developing climate-positive products, reducing emissions, and embracing circular economy principles - will thrive in this evolving landscape.
Beyond external pressures, employees themselves are driving change from within. The workforce is shifting, with new skills, roles, and workplace cultures emerging to support sustainability initiatives. Employees want to work for organizations that align with their values, and businesses prioritizing sustainability are gaining a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.
The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated just how rapidly businesses can adapt when necessary. Once dismissed as impractical by many organizations, remote work became the norm overnight, reducing the need for office space and lowering their environmental footprint. Similarly, businesses are now being pushed to rethink sustainability strategically, embedding it into operations rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Climate positive change
Driven by the global societal need to decarbonize the economy, organizations are adopting various daily practices, structural changes, and operational transformations to move from carbon-negative to carbon-positive companies.
This will be seen through dramatic shifts in energy use and the reduction of the carbon footprint of all operational aspects of a business by incorporating actions that include:
- More telecommuting and digital communication, and significantly less travel
- Investment in green energy and mitigation strategies
- More transparent governance, including increased performance reporting being connected to sustainability goals
- Major shifts to low-carbon energy sources, both localized and as investments, and empowering consumers and employees to make low-carbon choices
- Transformation of business models to move from linear to circular and sustainable products and services
- Buildings redesigned to reduce energy use and incorporate passive energy systems
Proactive leadership
Past leaders may have overlooked or even resisted action on environmental and social issues. But today’s leaders are defined by their willingness to drive meaningful change within their organizations.
Proactive leaders recognize that climate-related risks, such as extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and shifting regulations, directly impact the global economy and their bottom line. Rather than waiting to react to the next crisis, they are embedding sustainability into their corporate strategy, ensuring that their organizations remain agile, resilient, and ahead of regulatory and market shifts.
This new wave of leadership understands that sustainability is a competitive advantage. Companies prioritizing climate action are seeing stronger customer loyalty, higher employee retention, and reduced financial risk. From corporate governance reforms to business model transformation, forward-thinking leaders take decisive action to position their companies for long-term success in a rapidly changing world.
The skills required for leadership are shifting. Integrity, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking are becoming as essential as financial acumen. The most effective leaders will break free from short-term profit-driven mindsets and build organizations prioritizing sustainable growth.
Circular transformations
In a circular economy, businesses take full responsibility for the products they create - not just until the point of sale but throughout their entire life cycle. Products are now designed to be repairable, reusable, upgradeable, refillable, and fully recyclable, eliminating unnecessary waste and reducing environmental impact. Companies are shifting from one-time transactions to long-term stewardship, offering services that allow customers to return, repair, or upgrade their products rather than replace them.
This shift is made possible through reverse logistics, life cycle assessments, and subscription-based models, which allow businesses to maintain control over materials and recover valuable resources. These approaches support sustainability and strengthen customer relationships, creating value beyond the initial sale.
Business model redesign
The need for business model transformation intensified in response to economic shifts triggered by Covid-19, and climate change continues to place similar pressures on companies that fail to adapt. Businesses that rethink their structures now - integrating sustainability, regulatory compliance, and financial resilience - will be better positioned to navigate global challenges while unlocking new revenue streams, reducing operational costs, and improving workplace agility.
These shifts create untapped opportunities beyond risk mitigation. A well-designed, future-proof business model benefits reputation, customer loyalty, employee confidence, and long-term brand investment. Financial resilience is strengthened as businesses reduce reliance on outdated systems and embrace flexible, cost-effective operating methods.
As industries evolve, new jobs and markets are emerging to support sustainable workplaces. Companies avoid the need to catch up later and position themselves as global leaders in an economy increasingly shaped by environmental and social expectations.
Here are some business model transformation opportunities:
1. Closed loop
Creating products within a closed-loop system where products are intended to be taken back, reconditioned, or fed back into the production cycle.
2. Extended lifespans
Designing products with extended life spans by providing repair services and maximizing likelihood of repair during the use phase.
3. Remanufacturing
Designing products to use others’ byproducts intentionally or to ensure that their own byproducts are absorbed into a new system.
4. Producer stewardship
Transferring ownership so that products are always owned by the producer and thus managed throughout their entire life.
5. Service models
Reimagining products into service delivery models, building long-term customer relationships, and creating service provision.
6. Resell
Encouraging the resale/buyback of products to support the continuation of functionality and increase usable life span.
Workforce culture
Workforce expectations are shifting. Employees are demanding greater safety, well-being, flexibility, and job security. Beyond traditional benefits, workers prioritize ethical leadership and sustainable workplace practices, aligning their careers with companies that reflect their values.
Employees also take charge of environmental and social issues, using their voices to push for corporate responsibility. In today’s knowledge-based economy, workers recognize their influence and are more willing to challenge companies that fail to act on sustainability. From flexible work structures to ethical supply chains, the expectation is clear: businesses must prioritize people and the planet alongside profit.
This shift is particularly evident as Baby Boomers exit the workforce and Millennials and Gen Z take the lead. Research from Deloitte and McKinsey highlights that younger generations are deeply concerned about climate change and actively seek out employers who share their values. These preferences influence where they work and shape their purchasing decisions, meaning sustainability is now a key driver of talent acquisition and customer loyalty.
Workforce attitude towards workplace sustainability
Work is crucial to our personal and cultural identity, purpose, and well-being. It also drives the economy, but its environmental impact is undeniable. In the US, over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions come from industrial activities, electricity, and transportation - sectors directly linked to businesses' operations. As awareness grows, employees reevaluate their workplace’s role in climate change and demand more sustainable practices from their organizations.
The way we work has also changed. With the rise of remote and hybrid work, businesses are reassessing their reliance on large office spaces, reducing their carbon footprint, and rethinking workplace sustainability strategies.
Employees increasingly expect companies to take responsibility for their environmental impact, not just in their products and services but in how they run their operations, manage energy use, and support climate-conscious work environments.
Value alignment
As we shift further into a knowledge-based economy, employees recognize their value and exert more significant influence over where and how they work. They also pay closer attention to supply chain ethics, corporate responsibility, and environmental policies, favoring companies that embed sustainability into their core operations.
The 2020 Global Talent Trends Report found that 50% of employees want to work for a company with a responsible business model that prioritizes financial well-being and health, while over one-third seek meaningful work aligned with an organization’s mission. For businesses, sustainability and corporate responsibility are no longer optional - they are essential to attracting top talent and maintaining long-term success.
Organizations that integrate genuine value-driven initiatives into their culture will strengthen loyalty, increase engagement, and motivate their workforce, ensuring they remain competitive in an economy shaped by purpose-driven decision-making.
Worker activism
Employees are no longer just passengers in the workplace; they are driving change from within. Organizations are under growing pressure to be relevant, ethical, and aligned with real-world challenges related to health and safety, social equity, or climate change. Workers increasingly expect their employers to take a stance on key issues and embed sustainability and responsibility into their operations.
In many industries, employees are setting the agenda rather than following it as workplace culture shifts toward recognizing values and ethics as equal to profit and innovation. This is evident in the rise of worker-led climate action, health and safety advocacy, and social responsibility movements. Employees organize, apply collective pressure on leadership, and, in many cases, win significant changes.
The 2020 Peakon Employee Expectations Report, which analyzed 80 million responses and 14 million survey comments across 160 countries, found that 59% of the global workforce was disengaged as of January 2020. Employees' top issues were climate action, flexible work, well-being, and diversity and inclusion, demonstrating a strong desire for workplaces that bolster people and the planet.
Employees who perceive a misalignment between corporate values and workplace reality are increasingly compelled to take action. Protests, walkouts, boycotts, and open letters have become powerful tools for holding organizations accountable. Companies that ignore these signals risk losing talent, reputation, and trust. Those that listen, adapt, and act will build stronger, more engaged workplaces for the future.
Flexible work life
The demand for better work-life balance has accelerated, driven by evolving workforce expectations and rapid advancements in telecommunication technologies. The Covid-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, proving that flexible work arrangements can benefit employees and employers, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and creating safer, more adaptable work environments.
As a result, businesses worldwide have embraced flexible working models that cater to operational needs and employee well-being. These approaches are transforming the workplace and contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Key trends include:
Employee flexibility: Workers have more control over where, when, and how they work. Telecommuting, remote work, and customized schedules allow employees to design work arrangements that best suit their productivity and lifestyle.
Emission reduction: Flexible work policies help meet corporate sustainability targets by reducing carbon emissions. Staggered working hours, incentives for alternative commuting methods, and expanded remote work options all reduce an organization's environmental impact.
Location independence: More businesses enable location-independent roles, where employees are measured on performance rather than time spent in an office. This model provides autonomy while maintaining accountability.
Shorter workweeks: Many organizations are experimenting with four-day workweeks to improve productivity, enhance work-life balance, and reduce the environmental footprint of commuting and office energy consumption.
Green jobs
As the global economy shifts, so do the jobs and skills required to remain competitive. Businesses are increasingly seeking talent with the knowledge and expertise to drive sustainability at work and build a resource-efficient economy. New roles are emerging to help companies adapt to evolving regulations, consumer expectations, and economic shifts driven by climate change and post-pandemic recovery.
The European Commission predicts that all jobs will eventually integrate sustainability as industries align with environmental regulations and move toward a greener economy. This transformation is already evident in the renewable energy sector, where specialized roles such as Chief Sustainability Officers and Systems Designers shape new business models, particularly in reverse logistics for the circular economy.
According to the International Labour Organization, the transition to a greener economy will generate 24 million new jobs globally by 2030. A much-needed boost as industries recover from COVID-19’s impact on employment.
The rise of green jobs also spurs innovation across multiple sectors, including science, technology, engineering, and the creative industries. These fields play a critical role in developing new materials, energy-efficient systems, low-carbon infrastructure, and behavioral change initiatives that will define the future of work.
Five ways workforce attitudes and sustainability impact HR
Organizations that fail to integrate sustainability into their operations risk losing top talent and long-term business viability. As workforce expectations evolve, employees seek purpose-driven work, ethical leadership, and environmental responsibility when choosing an employer.
From these changing expectations, we can identify five key ways that sustainable workplaces will shape the future of HR. These insights provide a roadmap for HR leaders looking to adapt, innovate, and build a workforce that thrives in the era of sustainability.
1. New talent is needed for the green recovery
New talent needs will emerge as business models shift from linear to circular by design. If your organization is looking to achieve carbon neutrality, you’re going to need to hire employees in emerging fields who will be able to help you take stewardship over the entire lifecycle of what you create.
2. An emphasis on equity
Sustainability is about social equity just as much as environmental protection. Leading organizations are already changing their operating models to look out for their employees and promote equality. If you’re hoping to launch a sustainability initiative that resonates with your colleagues, you can’t ignore wellbeing and diversity & inclusion, which rank amongst the top topics of relevance for employees. HR teams should introduce integrated diversity and equity training to enable just workplaces for people of all races and identities.
3. Smarter ways of working
To fully embrace sustainability, your organization must move away from outdated, 9-5 presenteeism and accept diverse work-life scenarios. The pandemic catalyzed the mass transition to remote work, opening the door for more flexible work arrangements that can power better results. The efficiency gains provided by next-generation technology can enable your colleagues to work smarter instead of harder, creating a better work-life balance.
4. The emergence of the value-driven enterprise
Millennials are now the most prevalent age group in the workforce, and it’s up to HR to ensure their organization keeps pace with shifting generational priorities. Both Millennials and Gen Zs favor companies whose values align with their own. Consequently, if you are looking to recruit and retain Millennials, make sure ethics are embedded in your organization’s DNA.
5. Resilience is the new priority
COVID-19 was a stark reminder of just how quickly things can change. As a result, when it comes to redesigning your organization’s strategy, resilience will reign supreme. From an HR perspective, upskilling should be one of your top priorities for a more resilient future. In addition to recruiting new talent for emerging green jobs, HR teams can help their colleagues adapt their skill sets to fill existing knowledge gaps. It’s evident that your employees are eager to learn, as findings from our Census reveal that 63% of respondents would like to learn more green skills to become more valuable in the workplace, and 46% of employees believe they need specific training on environmental goals.
Technology and infrastructure
Technology is transforming the workplace at an unprecedented pace, accelerating shifts in how, where, and when we work. The Covid-19 crisis exposed a stark divide: companies with integrated digital infrastructure adapted quickly, while others still struggle to adjust. As businesses embrace remote and hybrid work models, technology must support collaboration, productivity, and trust-building without overwhelming employees.
Sustainable workplace technology is also a growing focus. Smart systems can optimize energy use, supply chain efficiency, and employee behaviors, reducing waste and environmental impact. However, AI, automation, and cloud computing bring their own challenges, including concerns over energy consumption and the carbon footprint of digital infrastructure. Addressing these impacts is essential as businesses work toward net-zero goals.
Physical workspaces are evolving in response to these technological shifts. Remote work is reducing office footprints, so companies are rethinking the design, sustainability, and purpose of physical spaces. Offices are becoming smaller, more energy-efficient, and health-focused, emphasizing ventilation, flexible layouts, and reduced occupancy.
Digital transformation
The transition to remote work during Covid-19 would have been far less effective without the digital and communications infrastructure already in place. Similarly, technology is a critical enabler in the shift toward sustainable workplaces, helping businesses optimize energy use, streamline operations, and reduce carbon footprints.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the largest contributors to a building's carbon emissions. Advances in machine learning and innovative technology are now improving energy efficiency by providing real-time data on energy consumption, allowing businesses to reduce waste and maintain healthier work environments. As office spaces shrink and flexible work models expand, the demand for seamless digital collaboration continues to rise.
Sustainability in the workplace requires a cultural transformation in how businesses operate, communicate, and deliver services. Technology is vital in tracking sustainability progress, optimizing supply chains, and enabling circular business models through tools like reverse logistics and energy-efficient systems.
However, increased reliance on digital infrastructure has its own challenges. Data centers require vast amounts of energy, contributing to emissions. Innovative solutions, such as coupling server heat with building heating systems in colder climates, are emerging to offset this impact. Businesses must integrate digital transformation with sustainable workplace practices to ensure technology supports the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Work less but better
Technology and workplace efficiency advancements are allowing for greater productivity with fewer hours. Research shows well-rested employees are more engaged, creative, and effective, making models like the four-day workweek and flexible scheduling increasingly viable. Businesses can reduce office space requirements, commuter emissions, and overall energy consumption by working smarter, contributing to a more sustainable future.
However, the key to this shift is ensuring reduced hours don’t increase output pressure. Concepts like degrowth and stable growth emphasize maintaining productivity while minimizing environmental and social impacts rather than prioritizing endless expansion.
Technology is crucial in enabling sustainable work practices but must be used responsibly. Ethical technology policies help prevent businesses from using automation, AI, or digital systems in ways that exploit workers, customers, or the environment. Organizations must consider the environmental impact of data centers, workforce digital well-being, and equitable access to tech-driven opportunities.
Living buildings
A living building is more than just an energy-efficient space - it functions as a dynamic, adaptive system supporting human and environmental health. By incorporating renewable energy, passive solar design, and green materials, workplaces can reduce their carbon footprint while improving employee engagement, mood, and overall well-being.
Industry standards like WELL and LEED certifications provide frameworks for optimizing energy use, air quality, and human experience in workplace design. Research shows that nature-inspired offices contribute to lower absenteeism, reduced stress, and increased productivity, making sustainability a business advantage.
With buildings responsible for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, integrating smart, regenerative design is essential. The future workplace will serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and a representation of corporate values, ensuring that remote and hybrid work is balanced with spaces that inspire, adapt, and sustain.
Post disposal
Companies embracing post-disposable strategies are designing products to be reclaimed, recycled, remanufactured, and resold, ensuring that materials retain their value rather than becoming waste.
This shift requires businesses to redesign supply chains and workplace operations, integrating closed-loop systems that minimize waste at every stage. Reusable alternatives can be used to replace everyday office items such as coffee cups, packaging, office paper, and food containers, reducing environmental impact and lowering costs over time.
New circular services are emerging to support businesses in adopting zero-waste models, providing efficient material management and improved customer experiences. Companies that rethink resource use and production processes will reduce costs, improve sustainability, and build long-term resilience. A post-disposable workplace maximizes material value, optimizing efficiency and driving innovation.
Using internal communications to support sustainability in the workplace
Effective internal communication is a key driver of workplace sustainability. Employees and leadership must be aligned, informed, and engaged in the company’s sustainability goals to ensure your sustainability actions have long-lasting results.
A strong internal communications solution and strategy help employees understand their role in sustainability efforts, foster a culture of accountability, and ensure leadership commitment translates into meaningful action. By integrating sustainability into daily conversations, policies, and decision-making, businesses can turn goals into measurable progress and create a workforce that actively contributes to a more sustainable future
1. Communicate sustainability as a top priority
There’s no denying that sustainability in the workplace is emerging as a shared action point among organizations across industries and regions. Internal comms teams can spread the word on what the enterprise is doing to work towards carbon neutrality by creating content around your sustainability goals and spotlighting environmentally active colleagues who are leading the way.
2. Information is needed to connect the dots
While sustainability is a workplace priority, many employees are less clear about what their organization does to make an impact.
The Unily 2020 Census revealed that 57% of employees need more information on their company’s environmental goals. As the go-to source for company news, internal comms teams can bridge the gaps and ensure employees know exactly what their organization is doing to fight climate change. From email newsletters to video content that explains your sustainability goals, use multiple mediums to keep your colleagues informed and aligned.
3. Bolster engagement by focusing on values
Many savvy internal comms teams understand the power that lies in data surrounding employee experience. If you’re searching for a surefire way to drive engagement, look no further than focusing on workplace sustainability.
More than one-third of employees note that they are motivated by an organization’s mission and purpose, with a preference for those who have environmental and social concerns. Consequently, internal comms teams that publicize how their organization is making strides toward sustainability are likely to reap impressive engagement statistics due to their efforts.
4. A look towards leadership
During the height of the pandemic, many internal communications teams emphasized messaging from leadership to maintain morale and create a sense of transparency among colleagues. A similar approach can prove beneficial when spreading the word about your enterprise’s approach to sustainability.
While your leadership team is responsible for building the foundation for a more sustainable future, internal communications will broadcast this work from a podium and ensure that colleagues organization-wide are aware of the changes. By incorporating messages directly from your leadership team, you can build trust among colleagues with updates straight from the source.
5. Plant the seeds for more flexibility
Flexible work environments are a hallmark of many enterprises' sustainability initiatives. Such arrangements have many benefits, including decreased pollution and improved talent retention.
As workforces decentralize and embrace hybridized environments, the importance of corporate messaging will continue to rise. Internal communications will keep culture and connectivity alive through various mediums that engage colleagues and recreate office water cooler conversations.
Conclusion
Businesses that embrace sustainability, redesign operations, and engage their workforce will create a more resilient, responsible, and competitive future.
This guide's tools, strategies, and insights provide a foundation for action. The next step is yours. By embedding sustainability into business strategy, workplace culture, and daily operations, you can drive real impact for your people, business, and the planet.
The time to act is now. How will your organization shape the future of work?
About the author:
Dr. Leyla Acaroglu is a designer and sociologist at the forefront of advancing the transition to a sustainable and circular future. Her work spans many fields, including creative, production, applied research, behavioral economics, educational design, and sustainability sciences.
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