Member Article

Green credentials attract top talent, yet 40% say sustainability is not a priority for employers

40% of UK workers are disappointed by the lack of effort and resource put into sustainability by their employer, according to new research, despite over half (53%) choosing it as a key factor when making a decision about which company to work for.

According to the new study, the importance of sustainable credentials ranks highest for Gen Z (16-24 year olds), where over two thirds (67%) say it is somewhat or very important to them, with Millennials (25-34 year olds) not far behind at 64%. However, workers are unlikely to be fooled by ‘green washing’ or empty eco pledges. Despite the latest government figures estimating that UK businesses collectively spent £2.5bn on environmental protection, around a third of respondents (31%) felt their employers still viewed sustainability as merely a ‘tick box’ exercise.

The survey suggests genuinely sustainable companies will attract and retain the top global talent or risk potential employees - particularly those in the early stages of their career - voting with their feet for an employer that gives them a sense of purpose. With the UN naming the 2020s as the ‘decisive decade’ due to the ambitious action needed to deliver sustainable development, B Corp certified Anthesis urges businesses to take meaningful action across the most material global systems such as net-zero impact; carbon remediation; product circularity; land use; and inclusive economies.

Brad Blundell, UK Managing Director of Anthesis, commented: Sustainability must become an integral part of an organisation’s business strategy; whilst addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems, it also impacts brand reputation and talent attraction. Some of the most sustainable companies are also the most profitable; it makes sense from every angle. It’s clear from our data that environmental-focused organisations, particularly those in the B Corp movement, will attract and retain more talent. With the likes of Greta Thunberg leading the youth movement, this trend is expected to escalate into future generations, positively pressurising organisations to commit to a more sustainable future.

“After the uncertainties of 2020, organisations need to refocus their ambitions, make up for lost time on their sustainability goals, and double down on their efforts to reach net-zero. Pleasingly, we have experienced a solid start to 2021, with many new and existing clients recognising the urgency of making sustainability happen.” Operating in 17 countries and supporting over 1,000 clients, Anthesis placed on the FT 1000 for four consecutive years[3], was named one of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies[4] and recently secured a multi-million investment from Palatine Private Equity. Its ambitions include supporting its clients with the reduction and removal of more than three gigatonnes (GT) of CO2e by 2030, equivalent to more than half the current annual total US carbon dioxide emissions or the accumulative total annual UK carbon dioxide emissions over eight years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anthesis .