Pharmaceutical Market Europe • November 2021 • 14
MIKE DIXON
MIKE DIXON
EVERY LITTLE HELPS IN OUR FIGHT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
‘Going green’ is important, but sustainability is a broader concept about maintaining resources and the environment for future generations
This month, world leaders were in Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Many suggested that this could be the ‘world’s last best chance to get runaway climate change under control’ – shocking when you consider that it was the 26th COP!
Around the world we see weather intensifying, with increased incidents of flooding and wildfires that cause deaths and damage to homes and livelihoods. Air pollution remains a significant health issue, affecting tens of millions of people. It is therefore not surprising that younger generations – our sector’s future leaders – are particularly vocal on climate change and its effects. After all, it is their futures and the generations after that we are impacting, unless we act and reverse the trend.
Whatever happened at COP26, and we hope it achieved what it needed to, you may feel you can have little influence. But of course, our politicians are chosen by us, we can make our voices heard and demonstrate our views by our own actions. That’s as close to global politics as I want to get in this column. But I do want to consider what I can do, what you can do and collectively what we could achieve because, with no association with the well-known supermarket chain, I agree that ‘every little helps’. Don’t get me wrong, we desperately need the big things to happen, led by initiatives like COP26, but everything we do as businesses, departments, teams or individuals can make a difference.
When it comes to our lives and the businesses in which we work, ‘sustainability’ has become the buzz word. People define this in different ways, but the most universal definition is this: ‘Sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ The first thing we can all do is make sure we really understand what sustainability is all about in relation to our personal and business lives. ‘Going green’ is important and helps to reduce the environmental impact when compared to alternatives, but sustainability is a broader concept about maintaining resources and the environment for future generations.
So what can we do?
Engage with those already responsible for sustainability in the workplace
Is somebody in your organisation driving sustainability? Do you know what they are doing and, as an employee, what you can do to support their efforts? I have no doubt that, given the opportunity, those responsible for sustainability would love to share this with you. And if this isn’t happening, is that something you could ask about or champion? Either way, just like we discussed when considering DE&I in the workplace, an individual may catalyse, but everybody needs to take the responsibility to get involved if a real difference is to be made.
Whoever you are, you can make a difference
You may be the office administrator, a team member, a manager or even the company owner or CEO. Whoever you are, we can all make a difference within our own sphere of influence. When considering how, let’s always think big and small.
If you’re a leader, discuss sustainability with your teams. You could start by identifying areas for improvement and challenging your enterprising and innovative teams to consider potential solutions. This might include proposals to senior management, considering your supplier choices in light of their sustainability credentials or perhaps considering the ISO 14001 standard or participation in Ecovadis ratings, both of which can help businesses better understand how to benchmark and fulfil their sustainability goals. Equally, consideration could be given to more simple, practical changes to everyday working, such as switching all monitors off at the plug at night.
As individuals, don’t be afraid to make your voice heard in suggesting that the above takes place, but also consider what changes you can influence directly. Even changes like setting printers to print both sides, ensuring paper supplies are from sustainable sources and are then recycled are all valuable. I randomly pick these green activities as obvious examples, and hopefully many of the low-hanging possibilities will have already been addressed, but I have no doubt you can identify areas where there are still changes that could be made, with each one making a difference.
Help others follow your lead
Whatever we do, surely as marketeers and communicators we are well placed to communicate that to a wider audience and influence others to consider similar approaches?
Let’s move forward, not back
There is no doubt that there is a silver lining to the very large cloud that is COVID-19, which has been a greater move to more digital communications and less business flights and commuting in general. As we move back to office working, and as travel starts to open up again, let’s really consider climate change and not just go back to how we were.
It makes business sense
Whether your customers are healthcare providers or healthcare manufacturers, they are increasingly looking for ethical and sustainable procurement in their supply chains. That means anything you or your organisation is doing in this area should not now be viewed as ‘nice to have’, but something that adds value to your business.
We all have a voice. We all can do something, however small. We can all make a difference, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. Please take some time and consider what difference you can make or catalyse, because ‘every little helps’.