How to engage your employees in your company’s journey to a greener future

Sustainability is high on the agenda for today’s workforce. In fact, 69% of employees globally want their companies to take action on environmental issues, from cutting carbon emissions to using renewable energy and reducing waste. That figure’s even higher among Gen Z, who value salary less than other generations and look for employers with a strong sense of purpose.

This makes employee engagement a key part of any organisation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. When people feel genuinely involved in the mission, they’re more motivated, more invested, and more likely to help drive meaningful change.

There are lots of practical ways to bring your team along for the ride, whether it’s supporting employee-led green projects, reducing office waste, or offering benefits that make sustainable choices easy. Switching to an electric vehicle through our salary sacrifice scheme is a great example. It’s a smart, planet-friendly move that helps your team save money, too.

When employees feel their actions contribute to a bigger purpose, it boosts motivation and pride in the workplace. That can lead to better wellbeing, stronger team spirit, and, ultimately, better commercial results.

Whether it's switching to EVs, reducing waste in the office, or getting involved in green initiatives, giving employees a chance to contribute makes them feel valued. And when people feel valued, they tend to stick around longer, go the extra mile, and bring fresh energy to their roles.

So, how do you actually get employees involved in your company’s sustainability journey? It starts with giving them the tools, the voice, and the recognition to make a difference. Here are three ways to turn good intentions into action.

1.Start with the basics

The first step is making sure everyone understands the why and how of sustainability. That means offering clear, engaging education and training that helps employees connect their roles to the bigger picture, whether it's cutting carbon, reducing waste, or making smarter energy choices.

Workshops, onboarding sessions, or even a simple internal newsletter can go a long way. The key is to show people that sustainability isn’t just a corporate goal; it’s something they can take part in every day.

2. Celebrate green choices

People like to know their efforts are making a difference. Recognising and rewarding sustainable actions helps reinforce the behaviours you want to see. And it doesn’t have to be big or formal. A shout-out in the team meeting, a monthly green award, or a simple thank-you can be incredibly motivating.

You can also support sustainable choices through employee benefits. That’s where our EV salary sacrifice scheme comes in. Choosing an electric car is one of the most impactful things an employee can do for the environment. It lets employees drive a brand-new EV for less, while helping your business cut emissions and show you're serious about a greener future.

3. Hand over the mic

Sustainability works best when it’s driven from the ground up. Encouraging employees to lead their own initiatives, like setting up an EV knowledge sharing group, gives them a sense of ownership and pride.

It also sparks creativity and innovation, because employees often spot opportunities leadership teams might miss. By giving them space to act on those ideas, you’re building a culture where sustainability is woven into the fabric of how your business runs.

Even with the best intentions, not every employee is going to leap at the chance to join your green mission. Some might feel sceptical, unsure of what it means for their day-to-day or suspicious that sustainability is just another corporate buzzword. The trick is not to ignore these concerns, but to face them head-on with honesty and clarity.

Start by explaining the bigger picture. When employees understand why your business is prioritising sustainability, and how it benefits both the planet and them personally, it helps build trust. Whether it’s improving workplace wellbeing, making your company more resilient, or offering tangible perks, clear communication turns abstract goals into real-life relevance.

And don’t underestimate the power of leading by example. If employees see their company offering meaningful incentives and making it easier to live more sustainably, they’re far more likely to get involved.

It’s also important to make sure your sustainability strategy feels inclusive. Not everyone will be in the same place, or care about the same things. The key is flexibility. Giving people a range of ways to get involved helps make sustainability feel accessible, not overwhelming.

It’s one thing to launch a sustainability initiative; it’s another to know whether it’s actually working. That’s where measurement comes in. Tracking the impact of employee engagement helps you understand what’s landing well, where there’s room to improve, and how close you’re getting to your sustainability goals.

Start by identifying some clear KPIs. These might include EV uptake through salary sacrifice schemes, employee participation in green initiatives, reduction in carbon emissions per employee, or even engagement with internal sustainability comms. You could also look at softer measures, like employee surveys, to track shifts in attitudes over time.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Feedback is your secret weapon for continuous improvement. Listening to what employees think about your sustainability efforts – what’s working, what’s missing, and what would help them do more – gives you the insight you need to evolve and grow. It shows your people that their voice matters and that sustainability isn’t just a one-off campaign, but an ongoing collaboration.

Sustainability isn’t something you tick off a list. It’s a journey – and like any journey, it helps to check the map every now and then to make sure you’re still heading in the right direction.

When it comes to building a more sustainable future, your employees aren’t just passengers; they’re powerful drivers of change. By involving them in your green goals and giving them practical ways to take action, you’re creating a more motivated, loyal, and forward-thinking workforce.

Whether it’s switching to EVs, cutting carbon, or championing green ideas in the workplace, the small choices employees make every day can add up to something big. And with solutions like our EV salary sacrifice scheme, doing the right thing for the planet is easier and more rewarding than ever.

Ready to get your team moving in the right direction?