The E in ESG: Making Earth Day more than just a check-the-box exercise
This April 22, the world will mark the 51st annual Earth Day – a global day of action, designed to encourage individuals, corporations and governments to make meaningful change to protect the planet.
So, you know what to expect.
Our favourite brands will remind you that it’s #EarthDay (because is it even a day if it doesn’t have a hashtag?) and suggest that you celebrate the day by purchasing their limited-edition product in chic recycled packaging. Celebrities will post pictures of themselves in places they flew thousands of miles in a private jet to reach, to tell you that place is beautiful and should be protected. Global petrochemical companies will host an employee beach clean-up day, solving pollution forever!
Of course, greenwashing isn’t limited to one day in April. It’s a marketing ploy used cleverly by many companies, year-round. RBC, the world’s 5th largest funder of fossil fuel projects, assures us that “action on climate change is critical to creating a healthier planet and more prosperous economy for the 21st century.”
Coal mining giant Adani Group (who made the curious decision to use a picture of a polluted sky as their website masthead) has the motto “Growth with Goodness”.
And this, from Chevron: “We use our unique capabilities, assets and expertise to deliver progress toward the global net zero ambitions of the Paris agreement.”
Does this mean that we are eye-rolling cynics who think Earth Day is a waste of time? Absolutely not. But we do believe that sustainability needs to be a daily commitment, deeply rooted in your business’s value system, in order to be effective – for both your business, and for the planet.
What you can do instead
Celebrate Earth Day, by all means. Acknowledging the threat to our climate is an important way of signalling to policy makers that individuals and businesses want change. But don’t let it be a one-and-done. Here are three ways you can use Earth Day (or any day) to embed real commitments to the planet into your business.
Start a conversation
Earth Day is a great way to start a conversation with your stakeholders about the steps that you can take together to enhance sustainability. Try:
Holding a roundtable conversation to gather ideas from employees, because those at the (ahem) coal-face often have the best insights about where changes can be most effective.
Scheduling a dedicated session with your Board to discuss opportunities to create a more positive environmental impact.
Surveying your customers about the changes they want to see.
Asking your suppliers to work with you to lower the carbon footprint across your value chain.
Progress Over Perfection
Lots of organizations only talk about instagrammable environmental commitments, because they worry about being criticized for being less than perfect. The truth is, none of us is perfect. Earth Day is a great day to communicate what you’re doing well, and to be transparent about the areas that aren’t perfect just yet. Your authenticity will set you apart from the hash-tagging hoi polloi.
Go Green All Over
Be like Kermit – green from head to webbed foot. Environmental sustainability shouldn’t be one person’s job. Earth Day is a great opportunity to invite everyone in your organization to take accountability for being green. By establishing company-wide policies and SMART goals, caring for the planet becomes a mindset that is integrated across your business, from recycling in the kitchen, to reducing flights, to offsetting emissions. You may just find that it is easy being green.
Earth Day is a useful tool to keep the planet top of mind. With scientists warning that there are only seven years remaining until human-caused climate change becomes irreversible, this is more important than ever. Businesses drive economies, and so when we speak, the policy makers listen – your voice, and your actions, really do make a difference. It’s just important to remember that these issues matter every day, not just on April 22. Just don’t tell us it’s #EarthDayEveryDay.
