Getting Started, Insights

5 ways to engage your team

Your people are your biggest asset when it comes to sustainability. An engaged team will spot savings, share ideas, and help embed new habits – often without any extra cost. For SMEs, where resources are tight, creating a culture where everyone plays a part can be the difference between a sustainability plan that sits on paper and one that actually delivers results.

1. Run Monthly Challenges

Set small, fun competitions to build awareness and habits. Examples include:

  • “Switch-off weeks” to cut unnecessary energy use.

  • A “print-free day” to reduce paper consumption.

  • A car-free day or lift-sharing challenge.

Offer simple recognition – even just announcing the winning team in a staff meeting – to keep enthusiasm high.

2. Nominate Green Champions

Find one or two motivated volunteers to act as sustainability champions. Their role isn’t formal – they simply help spread ideas, encourage others, and keep energy levels high. A champion from each department can make it feel like a shared responsibility rather than a management directive.

3. Host Lunch-and-Learns

Once a month, run a short 30-minute session over lunch. Share quick wins, invite an external speaker, or showcase how much money has been saved through recent actions. People are far more likely to get involved if they understand the why and can see results.

4. Create a Suggestion Scheme

Staff often know where waste and inefficiencies occur. Give them a way to share ideas, whether through a simple suggestion box, an online form, or adding it to team meetings. Recognise ideas that save money or reduce waste – even small rewards like vouchers or public thanks go a long way.

5. Show progress visually

Don’t keep results hidden in spreadsheets. Post either on teams/slack threads or simple dashboards or posters in staff rooms or common areas. A quick visual – like “We’ve cut paper use by 30% this month” – reinforces that individual actions make a difference.

Why it matters

Engaged employees are more innovative, more productive, and prouder to work for a business that cares. It can even improve recruitment and retention – something larger corporates have long capitalised on.

Sustainability isn’t just about technology or data. It’s about people, culture, and shared ownership – and for SMEs, that starts with your team.