Areas That Mobility Programs Can Support Sustainability Initiatives – Looking at the Greener / Environmental Aspects
The subject of sustainability continues to be significant and is a primary concern for numerous organisations that prioritise both sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). And although this topic is broad we need to tackle it “one bite at a time” so let’s look at the greener aspects.
When examining their internal environmental objectives, companies are also exploring strategies to assess and monitor the sustainability criteria for their vendors, such as relocation management companies who are looking at destination service businesses as part of their supply chain, such as ours Relocation Africa.
Various factors are considered when establishing and attaining sustainability goals, from a greener perspective, including decreasing carbon footprints, and making contributions towards the company objectives in the following areas – here are some ideas for businesses in global mobility on what you can start implementing in your business:
Processes
Reduce paper consumption. Look at reducing the amount of paper used and leverage digital documents and resources as much as possible.
E-signatures. Use e-signatures instead of paper documents or arrangements that require someone to travel to a location to sign documents in person.
Virtual support. Use virtual processes and support where available for:
- Engagement processes
- Immigration support – electronic documents, e-applications, virtual applications, etc.
- Destination services: home search, education, settling-in, registrations, etc.
- Language training
- Cultural training
- Spouse and family support
Household Goods Shipment
Focus on sustainability and CO2 footprint. Partner with moving companies that use sustainable packing and moving materials and reduce CO2 emissions with fuel-efficient vehicles, smarter routes, and tracking programs like Big Mile – a tech company that offers solutions for organizations to optimize and report on transport-related carbon emissions.
Partner with organizations to reduce waste. Leverage organizations like Move for Hunger that support local needs and help reduce waste.
Limit air shipments. Restrict air shipments and shipment sizes to help reduce the materials used for packing and carbon emissions from transportation.
Virtual surveys. Use virtual surveys to eliminate the need for surveyor travel.
Travel and Transport
Reduce travel. Reduce the amount of travel within extended business travel (EBT) and commuter programs.
Use direct travel routes. Take direct routes versus multiple connections.
Limit return trips. Adjust the frequency of return trips.
Non-fly options. Incentivise or require employees to take non-flying options: train, ferry, or public transportation versus driving.
Efficient car requirements. Incentivise or require employees to utilise hybrid or electric cars for rental cars, on-assignment cars, and fleet (pool) cars.
Encourage carpooling. Incentivise or require employees on assignment to carpool or utilise vanpools.
Housing
Limit laundry services. Reduce laundry services for towels and linens to encourage green habits.
Offer incentives to reduce utilities. Provide incentives to reduce utility costs or provide a reasonable decrease in cost to encourage more efficient habits.
Host housing requirements/incentives. Provide incentives or implement requirements for host housing that is more efficient and offer allowances for more efficient appliances.
Permanent housing incentives. Provide incentives for purchasing homes with sustainable energy footprints or provide allowances for energy-efficient appliances, insulation, etc.
Provide Awareness and Training
Company initiatives. Reinforce company sustainability initiatives and the role that employees can play during their relocation or assignment.
Location awareness. Offer insights into local sustainability practices, views, initiatives, and geography impacts from industry or climate changes.
Contact us to find out how your business can develop strategies and policies to reduce your global carbon footprint. Click on the link below to contact our team:
We are aware as a global mobility business that sustainability is going to take us all to work together to find and develop solutions for a better world.
