Earn
Employees and employers are misaligned on sustainability agenda
Employees have a lot to offer the sustainability and other ESG agendas of businesses, if only employers could see it.

Employees and employers are misaligned on sustainability agenda
Employees have a lot to offer the sustainability and other ESG agendas of businesses, if only employers could see it.

As the conversation around ESG within businesses grows louder, researchers have suggested that worker buy-in may be the missing piece of the puzzle.
New research by JLL Asia Pacific has suggested that half of surveyed employees were willing to contribute to their businesses sustainability agenda, but that a majority of employees in the APAC region were unaware of their employer’s carbon reduction goals.
According to the research, “workers care about climate change not only at a personal level, but they want to feel that their employers are aligned with their own values and are driven by purpose”.
Even if they’re typically uninvolved, employees are keeping score on the ESG commitments of their current or prospective employers.
Despite this, JLL Asia Pacific found that employers across the Asia-Pacific region struggled to align their ESG commitments with their workforce.
Sixty-five per cent of surveyed employees stated that they were unaware of their companies’ carbon reduction goals, while 60 per cent said that they weren’t involved at all.
The report framed this as a missed opportunity, noting that “being part of a company’s sustainability efforts can be a source of pride for individuals and it can provide an opportunity for alignment between both the values held by the corporates and those of their staff.”
Although it admitted that involving workers in sustainability initiatives in a meaningful way is easier said than done, the report argued that doing so is crucial for businesses that want to take their sustainability strategies to the next level.
In terms of implementing this, JLL Asia Pacific emphasised the importance of three things: making it easy for employees to engage in sustainability activities, providing time and funding for employee-led initiatives, and working to re-engage employees over the long term.
“Ensuring regular and ongoing interactions, idea sharing and reinforcing their value in the company’s sustainability journey will keep employee engagement intact,” the report argued.
JLL Asia Pacific recommended businesses with an ESG agenda consider the interdependent relationship between human capital and sustainability.
“Engaging employees in greening your business by showing them how they can make a contribution, and giving them the tools to make sustainability a part of their own lives will turn them into more satisfied workers and great ambassadors,” the report concluded.
About the author

About the author


Earn
Most voters believe JobSeeker rate should be lifted
Nearly half of Aussies said they would likely vote for a candidate who promised to lift the JobSeeker payment above the poverty line. ...Read more

Earn
Should Australia’s minimum wage be lifted?
With the cost of living being a central focus of this election campaign, both major parties are in disagreement over wage increases. ...Read more

Earn
New research claims over 300,000 Australian households have 'no financial safety net'
New research has been released. ...Read more

Earn
Are property investors pushing prices higher?
The average price for investment properties was found to be nearly $170,000 below the mean national property price. ...Read more

Earn
Almost a quarter of full-time workers are considering leaving their current job
Younger workers are the most likely to be thinking about quitting. ...Read more

Earn
Young people are leading the great resignation
Almost a third of Gen Z and Millennial workers are actively seeking a new role. ...Read more

Earn
Women earn up to 37% less than men in the gig economy
A report commissioned by the Victorian government has examined inequality in the on-demand economy. ...Read more

Earn
Why energy stocks are becoming more attractive
The latest market correction has provided an opportunity to benefit from high-risk segments like energy, an expert has said. ...Read more

Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now

What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now

Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now

Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now

Earn
Most voters believe JobSeeker rate should be lifted
Nearly half of Aussies said they would likely vote for a candidate who promised to lift the JobSeeker payment above the poverty line. ...Read more

Earn
Should Australia’s minimum wage be lifted?
With the cost of living being a central focus of this election campaign, both major parties are in disagreement over wage increases. ...Read more

Earn
New research claims over 300,000 Australian households have 'no financial safety net'
New research has been released. ...Read more

Earn
Are property investors pushing prices higher?
The average price for investment properties was found to be nearly $170,000 below the mean national property price. ...Read more

Earn
Almost a quarter of full-time workers are considering leaving their current job
Younger workers are the most likely to be thinking about quitting. ...Read more

Earn
Young people are leading the great resignation
Almost a third of Gen Z and Millennial workers are actively seeking a new role. ...Read more

Earn
Women earn up to 37% less than men in the gig economy
A report commissioned by the Victorian government has examined inequality in the on-demand economy. ...Read more

Earn
Why energy stocks are becoming more attractive
The latest market correction has provided an opportunity to benefit from high-risk segments like energy, an expert has said. ...Read more