Workplaces can support and motivate tangible shifts in their employees’ and customers’ lifestyles towards sustainability. These efforts target those working with companies, organizations and individuals who are open and willing to adopt sustainable lifestyles practices but need some help or guidance along the way. Companies can incentivize employees and customers to adopt sustainable ways of eating, moving, consuming, living and engaging in leisure activities, and demonstrate these actions at work.
The set of actions presented in this report can support employees and customers to enhance sustainability in their daily lives. The target audience is urban workplaces (and the organizations that work with them) that are developing sustainable lifestyle initiatives and campaigns. The list is meant to spark discussion, generate new ideas and be a “living document” that is modified with experience. The actions have been prioritized because they are more effective at reducing the ecological footprint. Based on ecological and carbon footprint data, we can identify priority lifestyles areas that contribute to ecological impacts such as reducing wasted food or shifting transportation modes. For the highest impacts, link options together, build on existing activities, and partner with others.
This listing of options and opportunities was prepared by combining case study and literature reviews, an analysis of ecological and carbon footprint data, and a synthesis of expert insights. In addition, the authors and UN Environment reached out to their network of global experts to share action ideas, insights and review drafts.