Tips for sustainability.
Erin Sculthorpe is an associate at DLA Piper Scotland
It's the lead up to the 7th annual sustainability week (taking place on the week commencing 21 March), and sustainability and environment, social and governance (ESG) issues are a big focus for many young professionals in their personal and professional lives. In November 2021, COP26 saw the world's leaders gather and agree the Glasgow Climate Pact which aims to "turn the 2020s into a decade of climate action and support". In particular, one of the key priorities of COP26 was to "mobilise private finance" and this focus, both at COP26 and in the months following, has emphasised the important role of financial services in the transition to net zero.
Whilst financial services institutions and organisations have a key role to play, what role can we play as individuals working in financial services? Thinking about the enormity of the change that is required is certainly a bit daunting. So, SFE YP have broken it down and suggested ten ways for young professionals in financial services to get involved in the journey to net zero at work and at home.
Why not try to tick off one or more of these during sustainability week?
Walk, bike or run to work
Now that the days are getting longer and the weather warmer, consider walking, running or cycling to work a couple of days a week. Not only will you experience the health benefits and save money, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint.
Take your lunch from home
Around 11.5 billion sandwiches are consumed in the UK each year, half of which are sold as ready-made and are usually pre-packaged. Making and bringing your own sandwich will reduce your waste and you get extra bonus points if you use a paper bag or reusable tupperware to carry it!
Only buy what you need and buy loose
We are all guilty of picking up pre-packed bags of fruit and vegetables in the supermarket only to shove them to the back of the fridge and find them a week later smelling a bit funky. Planning your meals for the week and only buying exactly what you need is a great way to cut down on waste. Buying loose fruit and veg not only reduces food waste but also reduces the amount of plastic we use.
Host a clothes swap with your friends
Back to the office means back to office wear and those work trousers haven't seen the light of day since February 2020! Thinking about buying a whole new work wardrobe? Why not consider hosting a clothes swap with your friends. Everyone brings the items that they'd like to swap and by the end of the evening you could have a whole new wardrobe!
Promote a paperless office
Pre-pandemic we were all used to easy-access printing. Working from home has meant that many of us have had to adapt and go paperless. This is great from a sustainability perspective and its something that you can try to keep up during the return to office. Before you press print, stop and think: is it absolutely necessary for me to print this?
Turn off your work from home station in the evening
In March 2020, most of us were working off a laptop at the kitchen table. However, over the past two years many have adapted their home to improve their makeshift workstations. With multiple screens, laptops and other tech equipment, most of us will use extension cables and often have plugs that are difficult to get to. At the end of the day, making the effort to bend down under your desk and flick the switch off will save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Not only that, with rising energy prices it will save pounds as well!
Get involved in your company's sustainability initiatives
Many financial services firms will have sustainability action groups and other employee ESG initiatives that you can get involved in. Why not go along to a session to see what's involved? Employee perspective is very important to organisations, and you may find that you can exercise influence and make a real difference.
Or start one
If you're organisation doesn't have a sustainability or ESG employee-led initiative, why not consider starting one? Put the feelers out to see if there are any other like-minded people in your organisation.
Attend free events to gain a better understanding of key issues
Feel a bit out of your depth on climate and sustainability issues? There are lots of free events for you to attend which can help improve your understanding of the key issues. Why not start by attending SFE YP's Earth Day Event on Friday 22 April. More details to follow soon.
Get involved with local sustainability charity
Finally, if you'd rather not get involved in initiatives at work, why not consider local charitable or other organisations? For example, the Shandon Local Food Group and the Portobello Transition Town (Pedal Porty) run events which encourage sustainability.
