Sustainability covers multiple sectors, from energy to transport to business and to residential. Many people start their working day with a wake-up alarm, making a cuppa, taking a shower, putting on something ironed (if you’re well organised). If you’re heading out for the day, you’ll grab your mobile and laptop (don’t forget the power chargers). All this before you even think about transport, what you’ll be doing all day, when you’ll get back home, what you’ll eat. Will you have oven cuisine, something grilled, toasted or microwaved? Will you send a work email or two outside normal office hours? (we’ve all done it).
All the above activity has an impact on how sustainable your busy working day is going to be so it’s not surprising that your carbon footprint can start to take a nosedive, your wellbeing can feel like an uphill struggle some days too. Both are important reasons to check in every now and then to ensure you’re adopting good sustainability goals.
Here are key tips to help you ensure sustainable behaviour:
- Power off your electronic equipment - Turn it off to cut down on surplus energy usage when you’re not using your equipment (it’s a good way to save on battery power too, compared to Sleep Mode). Use Sleep Mode only if you’re not using your computer for short lengths of time.
- Review the battery settings on your computer - Click the battery icon (on your computer’s taskbar) to review and adjust your battery settings, e.g. set when you want to turn your battery saver on, lower your screen brightness, limit notifications and background activity.
- When traveling to an office think about your mode of transport - If you need to book corporate car hire choose an electric/hybrid model. Avoid booking one-way car hire, look at alternatives such as ride sharing options or public transport.
If you need to book a taxi, ask for an electric vehicle, and offer to taxi share with others.
It’s often more sustainable to take the train rather than take a short haul flight, and it can be quicker too as there’s less pre-checks to be preoccupied with.
Walk (or run), or cycle if you live close by to where you’ll be working that day. Check if your place of work has storage racks for bikes and lockers for cycle helmets/outdoor clothes.
If you’re booking venue hire for a corporate event, check that it’s easy for attendees to get there sustainably.
- Do you need to travel for that business meeting? - Is the journey really necessary? If it’s not business critical, plan a virtual meeting, or travel via public transport if possible.
- Explore your organisation’s support for travel loan and season tickets - Check if you’re eligible to apply for a season ticket loan for travel purposes.
- If you need to cancel travel plans - Make sure you let taxi drivers, car hire companies etc. know in advance so they don’t make drop off and pick up trips that could have been avoided.
- Think about making the most of your day when travelling so you’re not travelling unnecessary - Pre-plan your work diary for the whole day, let others know you’ll be in the office in advance, ask around to see if others plan to be in the same day as you. Book in person meetings and rearrange any virtual meetings for a non-office day if you can.
If the office has a kitchen, can you use these facilities to avoid taking in single use plastic items such as water bottles?
- Sustainable is not just about green co2 - The way we work has a direct impact on our wellbeing. Check if your employer has a wellbeing strategy and bookmark useful resources.
- Wellbeing is key… take time to focus, block-out breaks, virtual commute - Block out time for personal focus on less busy days of the week.
Block out daily short breaks so that you can step away from your desk.
Start virtual meetings at 5 minutes past, rather than on the hour, so you get some breathing space between calls.
Plan a ‘virtual commute’ so you can be business ready even if you’re working at home.
Making just one or two changes to your day is a good place to start. Good luck.
If you want to learn more about your collaboration service, or book some training, check out the BT Support Centre where you’ll find guides and training for the tools we support.
Read more about wellbeing and inclusivity in a hybrid workplace by viewing our blogs.
