In recent years, the trend of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) demonstrates that society expects enterprises to undertake not only economic tasks but also to exert their influence on social issues such as the environment, human rights, and culture. The well-known ESG principles in CSR practices highlight the importance of the environment (E), and as climate change becomes increasingly urgent, environmental issues are not just the responsibility of governments and non-profit organizations. How businesses can coexist and grow sustainably with the environment and respond and improve on environmental issues such as climate crisis, energy saving, carbon reduction, and pollution emission, thereby taking action for environmental sustainability, will be the focus of societal concern. However, climate change is a hot topic in corporate social responsibility, and environmental sustainability actions are almost a part of every company's CSR practices. How to be innovative and eye-catching in this mandatory subject, while deeply practicing it without being superficial, is the answer every enterprise seeks.
DOMI Earth Taiwan's first social enterprise promoting energy saving has launched the "Sustainable Action Trilogy" for corporate partners. With years of expertise in energy saving and environmental protection, DOMI aims to initiate conversations about environmental sustainability in enterprises in a simple, fun, and warm manner, leading businesses to start from scratch in understanding sustainability and the environment. DOMI also aims to ensure that sustainable actions are integrated into the daily operations of enterprises, making environmental sustainability a new value for businesses.
Sustainability Action Step 1: Sustainability Leadership Workshop
The purpose of sustainable action is to make the environment sustainable, and the sustainable actions of enterprises can enable businesses to continue to impact the environment and also become a hallmark of corporate image. The key to achieving "sustainability" lies in the participation of employees.
The sustainable actions of many companies seem to have lofty goals, and the Corporate Social Responsibility reports are always professional and detailed. However, if you ask the employees what the company's sustainable actions are and why they are being done, they often have no idea. The climate and environmental goals set by companies are often only understood by members of the CSR department, and other departments, being unrelated to their business, have no motivation to understand. Furthermore, such sustainable actions often become repetitive after a few years, and it is difficult to present new highlights and vitality, let alone synchronize with the actions and values of employees.
Employee participation, leadership training, and shaping longer-term sustainable development actions with more corporate characteristics
The "Sustainability Leadership Workshop" is the first step for enterprises to start sustainable actions, inviting internal employees to participate, to understand the concept of sustainability and knowledge through the workshop, and to explore different possibilities for corporate execution of sustainable actions. We believe that the sustainable actions of enterprises require the in-depth participation of employees so that the sustainable actions of corporate CSR can have the energy of long-term implementation and the characteristics of the enterprise can be presented in the sustainable actions, to distinguish itself from other enterprises, and have more opportunities to benefit from employees. In the end, hopefully, ignite new sparks through employees' actions, allowing corporate sustainable actions to continue innovating.
The sustainable discussion within the enterprise opens the concept of employee sustainability
The "Sustainable Leadership Workshop" opens up a discussion between corporate sustainability actions and employees, and drives employees in various departments to think: Why is sustainability action necessary? Why is the company doing this? What is the relevance of sustainable action to my department and work? In our past workshops, we found that many employees are still quite unfamiliar with concepts such as climate change, environment, and carbon reduction, unable to understand why they need to know, nor how to relate it to their work and life. The "Sustainable Leadership Workshop" starts with "Why should we care?", bringing the concept of environment and sustainability to employees, initiating the first step of action.
Stimulate employee creativity, design sustainable thinking in work, and create social influence
After the employees in various departments have the motivation for sustainable actions from the "Sustainable Leadership Workshop", they are guided step by step on how to implement these actions in their work and life, and even how to use their position to exert influence, adjust the rules and procedures of work, deepen the concept of sustainable action into work, and communicate it to stakeholders. For example, partners in the logistics department can think about how to communicate and coordinate the sustainable value of the enterprise in the process of interacting with suppliers, freight companies, and logistics drivers in order to make the transportation process more environmentally friendly.
Sustainability Action Step 2: 21-Day Sustainable Green Action - A New Atmosphere of Sustainable Action for Enterprises
After the "Sustainable Leadership Workshop", employees already have the concept of environmental sustainability, and have ideas about how to act. The atmosphere of the workshop discussion is enthusiastic and eager to try, but after returning to work, the motivation quickly fades.
The "21-Day Sustainable Green Action" is the second phase of sustainable action. It is hoped that the employees will continue to transform the enthusiasm and commitment of the workshop into actual environmental protection and green actions. 21 days is the time to develop a habit. During these 21 days, DOMI will accompany the employees of the company to practice one green action a day in their daily lives.
Simple actions to start the company's daily sustainable development actions
In the "21-Day Sustainable Green Action", DOMI Earth accompanied the employees to start from simple actions like turning off the lights and using environmentally friendly tableware to starting to renovate offices and homes, using energy-saving appliances and devices, and thinking about energy-saving and low-carbon everywhere. In the process of green action, we continue to give back, give suggestions and heart-warming encouragement for green action, so that everyone can easily get started.
DOMI green energy-saving light bulbs and appliances are the first steps to achieving energy saving.
Shaping the corporate green image and exerting the influence of sustainable development actions
The "21-Day Sustainable Green Action" seems simple and small, but it allows employees to connect the concepts they have learned with their lives, develop the habit of "green thinking", and make green actions a daily routine in the office.
At the same time, the actions of employees to use environmentally friendly cups and choose energy-saving products at any time also bring the concept and habit of sustainability to their family members, friends, and manufacturers and customers they come into contact with at work, unconsciously forming a culture and image of a friendly environment for the company. In the past, some participants shared that after getting off work, they were reminded by their children that they did not take the eco-cup, and even drove back to the office to get it. Small actions are a demonstration of their commitment to themselves and their colleagues, and it also has an impact on their families.
The green atmosphere of the enterprise gathers the centripetal force of employees
The "21-Day Sustainable Green Action" also gives colleagues who work together a common green goal, increasing employee cohesion while forming a "green atmosphere" in the office. Colleagues share their green actions in the workshop group and supervise each other, and such a cheerful and supportive atmosphere strengthens the continuous motivation for green actions, further inspiring new creative sustainable actions and forming natural habits unconsciously.
Sustainability Action Step 3: Enterprise Tree Planting Events - The Sustainable Commitment Planted on Your Own
The final step of the trilogy of sustainable development actions lies in the diffusion and commitment of sustainable values.
Combining employee family day, taking children to do sustainable development actions together
Tree planting is the most popular event of DOMI Earth, linking sustainable actions with enterprise family day, employees are invited to go outdoors with their families and children who usually practice green actions together, and learn about the concepts of climate change, energy saving, and carbon reduction, and environmental sustainability through games, stories, and singing and other relaxing and interesting activities. It's also a great opportunity for parent-child interaction and employee communication, allowing employees and children to enjoy themselves while becoming interested in environmental issues and more willing to learn and practice green actions.
Employees plant trees by themselves to experience the significance of sustainable development
The tree planting event, in cooperation with the Forestry Bureau, allows participants to learn about green trees and carbon reduction. It also allows employees to plant tree saplings with their families, experiencing the process of tree planting and realizing that the Carbon Emissions Absorbed by Trees are minuscule compared to the energy consumed daily. This helps them understand the significance of energy saving and carbon reduction in daily life and strive to practice green actions.
Plant the green promise of the enterprise and demonstrate the sustainable value of the enterprise
The tree-planting event invites employees and their families to plant trees for the Earth together, which represents the company and employees joining hands to commit to environmental sustainability. At the same time, it also allows employees to share with their families the concept and value of the company they work for. Employees can also make a commitment to the Earth with their families, which is of special commemorative value and adds meaning to the practice of sustainable action.