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Climate change, pollution and other environmental challenges are no longer undefined threats to our future health.
They are linked and are already causing disease and deaths here in the UK.
The government estimates that as many as 36,000 people die every year as a result of man-made pollution in the UK. It is recognised as the single largest threat to public health.
Re-thinking the ways we do business
Dr Robin Clark, medical director of Bupa UK says: “Anticipating and addressing these evolving threats will be essential to minimise their impact on our physical and mental health.
“But this isn’t simply a health sector issue.
“Every business will have to become more sustainable in order to minimise these risks and protect the health of our planet and people. It’s a daunting challenge, but if we respond and rethink the ways we do business, we can be a force for change.”
Prioritising sustainability in our organisations is also crucial for employee engagement and retention.
Data from the Bupa Wellbeing Index demonstrates this as almost half of the employees who took part (45%) say their motivation at work would increase if they had the opportunity to propose sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives to leadership teams.
Looking ahead, 28% believe sustainability will become business critical.
This is as more Generation Z and Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2025) enter the workforce.
Almost a third (30%) of Gen Z respondents want to see continuing investment in sustainability initiatives, despite the challenging economic climate.
Creating a sustainable future
Anna Russell, corporate responsibility and sustainability director of Bupa Global & UK says: “Creating a sustainable future, and protecting the health of the planet as carefully as we protect our personal health is a huge, and complex, challenge.
“It’s not only the right thing to do, and increasingly, our employees, clients and customers will demand that businesses deliver tangible, positive change.
“Every business has an important role to play, and we will all benefit from sharing knowledge, innovative strategies and working together to find solutions.”
Five-step plan to encourage sustainability in the workplace
In the Bupa UK Wellbeing Index, we set out a five-step plan that every organisation can use to achieve this:
- Establish dedicated platforms for staff to share ideas and suggestions for sustainable initiatives. Encourage collaboration and opportunities to exchange ideas.
- Implement programmes to support people’s health and the planet’s health. Celebrate staff contributions and create a culture that values and incentivises sustainability.
- Integrate sustainability into employee training and development. Offer ongoing knowledge building and skills. Provide resources and support to encourage employees to make sustainable choices.
- Embed clear communication forums where staff can provide feedback and suggestions. Actively listen to input and foster a two-way dialogue to ensure people feel heard and valued.
- Empower colleagues to form task forces or ‘green teams’ to take ownership of projects. Provide these groups with resources, support, and access to decision-makers to ensure meaningful change.
For more on what the climate crisis means for your business and the health of your employees, you can read the full article here.
