The 2024 Memcom Sustainability Award has been sponsored by Scottish Events Campus (SEC). If you are interesting in sponsoring an award for 2025, please get in touch with sylwia@memcom.org.uk to find out what options are available.
A Broad and Holistic Sustainability Strategy
In 2022, CIPD launched a comprehensive environmental sustainability strategy aimed at embedding sustainable practices both within the people's profession and internally as an organisation. This effort was driven by a newly formed Green Team, which played a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of sustainability initiatives across CIPD’s operations.
The strategy garnered the prestigious iiE (Investors in the Environment) Bronze accreditation, a significant recognition of the organisation’s dedication to environmental sustainability. It reflects a commitment that stretches beyond achieving internal goals, extending to the wider community of HR and people professionals.
Leading the People Profession on Sustainability
CIPD’s influence goes beyond its own sustainability practices, as it actively promotes environmental responsibility across the people's profession. The organisation has focused on equipping HR professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to embed sustainable practices in their roles. This includes:
- Resource Guides: CIPD published comprehensive guides to help people professionals integrate environmental sustainability into their work, ensuring sustainability becomes part of core HR competencies.
- Sustainability-Focused Events: CIPD hosted sustainability-specific sessions at its flagship conferences, drawing over 2,000 attendees and spreading awareness about sustainable practices in HR.
- Print Reduction: As part of reducing its environmental impact, CIPD made the bold decision to cut the number of printed editions of People Management magazine from nine to four annually. This resulted in the significant reduction of 565,000 printed magazines, a substantial step in reducing paper consumption.
- Profession Map Standards: Environmental sustainability was also included in CIPD’s Profession Map, solidifying its place as a key competency for HR professionals moving forward.
Sustainable Practices as an Employer
CIPD has also made meaningful progress as an employer, with a clear focus on reducing its carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency. Key initiatives that contributed to its success include:
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: CIPD set measurable targets to reduce its carbon emissions, and the results speak for themselves. In the 2022/23 fiscal year, the organisation achieved a 14.8% reduction in Scope 1 (gas) emissions and a 22.7% reduction in Scope 2 (electricity) emissions, reflecting significant progress in cutting its energy consumption.
- Energy Efficiency Initiatives: One of the winning ideas from CIPD’s Zero Waste Week was closing the office on Fridays, which contributed to energy savings. The organisation also adopted a green electricity tariff and upgraded its office lighting to energy-efficient LED sensors.
- Employee Engagement: CIPD actively engaged its employees in the sustainability mission through initiatives like the Zero Waste Week competition, where staff submitted 22 ideas to reduce waste. A Green Champions Group was also formed, comprising staff passionate about promoting environmental sustainability across the organisation. Over 60% of employees participated in quarterly carbon footprint surveys, enabling CIPD to monitor and manage commuting, business travel, and remote working emissions.
Zero Waste Week: A Standout Initiative
The participation in Zero Waste Week was a clear example of CIPD’s dedication to embedding sustainability within its organisational culture. The initiative encouraged employees to propose waste-reduction ideas, with the winning concept of closing the office on Fridays leading to measurable energy savings. This initiative not only boosted employee engagement but also demonstrated CIPD’s commitment to innovative sustainability solutions.
Results and Achievements
CIPD’s sustainability efforts produced tangible and impressive results. By the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year, the organisation had achieved a 15% reduction in electricity and gas usage, reflecting their ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact. The iiE Bronze accreditation score of 85% confirmed CIPD’s successful journey towards environmental stewardship.
Moving forward, CIPD is actively pursuing Silver accreditation, further highlighting their dedication to continuous improvement in sustainability practices. With solid reductions already achieved in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the organisation is now focusing on Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from commuting and travel. By setting a baseline for these emissions, CIPD is positioned to make even greater progress in the future.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
CIPD’s success at the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards reflects the organisation’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. Through a combination of leadership in the HR profession, internal energy-saving measures, and broad employee engagement, CIPD is setting an example for others to follow. As they continue their journey towards Silver accreditation and further reductions in carbon emissions, CIPD remains dedicated to creating a greener, more sustainable future for both the organisation and the HR profession at large.
