How can you keep your team informed of the latest sustainability trends?

There is a generous amount of free content available online for anyone who wants to keep up to date on what is going on in sustainability. LinkedIn has many wonderful contributors who give their knowledge freely. Because there is so much though, it can be hard for novices to keep up. In my case I provide the weekly #DalyPlanet digest that pulls together the top 12 updates in sustainability from the week. People seem to find that useful. You need to help people build a habit of constant reading - so you might (a) send a link to the digest each week for a few weeks, and (b) organise weekly discussions where people can talk about what they read. Here is an example https://tinyurl.com/d786vrj5

Setting clear goals is foundational to keeping the team informed. Establishing performance and impact metrics aligned with organizational values focuses the team on actionable information. Clear goals act as guiding principles, ensuring that sustainability efforts are purposeful, measurable, and in line with the broader mission.

To keep your team on the cutting edge of sustainability, cultivate an environment where learning and dialogue are constant. We actively engage with seasoned experts deeply invested in sustainability, both professionally and personally, to share their profound insights. Additionally, we curate a selection of key resources—such as industry reports, newsletters, and case studies—ensuring our team has access to a diverse array of knowledge. This commitment not only enriches our understanding but also empowers us to integrate sustainable practices into our daily operations seamlessly.

There are a lot of free resources available now on sustainability topics. These resources include weekly or monthly newsletters by law firms and news outlets, which summarize the latest regulatory developments, for example, by region. When I share articles with the team, I usually summarize them using lists and bullet points. They can quickly get up to date by skimming through my summaries even if they have only a limited amount of time. Reports are also a great source of information. I filter them first, however, based on their relevance to our organization, since there are so many of them. Then I summarize the main points. A webinar is often held to announce the release of these reports. I recommend attending some of those, too.

Drawing from my industry expertise, curating and sharing pertinent resources is essential. Leveraging AI and LinkedIn, tools like Feedly and Flipboard organize diverse content. Encouraging team members to contribute their findings fosters a shared knowledge pool. This dynamic approach ensures the team remains updated on the latest developments, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

As sustainability is a fast-evolving field, I find that discussions and debates are especially important to find solutions to the inevitable difficulties and challenges. Remote teams often use video calls, but nothing beats a face-to-face meetings and workshops. Those coffee breaks and lunches between structured activities are often where the best ideas are born. In my experience, it's a good idea to facilitate or moderate these discussions. Most people are very passionate about sustainability, so debates can easily escalate in this field. It is important to know and respect discussion rules, especially for such a difficult and high-stake topic with several controversial issues. Oftentimes, it's so easy to get emotionally charged up...

Most people who work in sustainability spend a lot of time thinking about it, even outside of work. We talk to our friends and family about it. We read books and articles about it. Your team is an incredible wealth of knowledge. Tap into it. Even unstructured time for social conversation usually results in new ideas and new learning.

In my experience, facilitating discussions through platforms like Slack or Zoom sparks innovation. Creating channels for team members to exchange insights and feedback nurtures a collaborative environment. Regular meetings and workshops provide opportunities for in-depth exploration, ensuring the team remains engaged and proactive in addressing evolving sustainability challenges.

In the ever-evolving field of sustainability, promoting experimentation is pivotal. Encouraging the team to explore new approaches, tools, and collaborations fosters a culture of adaptability. Partnerships with external experts and cross-departmental collaboration offer diverse perspectives, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and learning.

Drawing from my professional journey, recognizing and rewarding efforts is a powerful motivator. Platforms like Kudos and Lattice provide tangible acknowledgment for contributions to sustainability. Showcasing success stories internally and externally enhances the team's morale and reinforces the value of staying informed and proactive in sustainability endeavors. Recognition inspires a sense of pride, encouraging sustained commitment to professional growth in the field.

It all starts by building awareness around the topic. And then encouraging knowledge sharing by establishing the appropriate platforms to communicate, brainstorm and discuss. People need to know what’s in it for them and what’s in it for the organization on the short end long run, why sustainability should be embraced, how it can be aligned to the strategy, what value it can bring to the table, how it should be implemented, how technology can help facilitate and accelerate the implementation.