K10 is committed to more than social impact, we are also dedicated to environmental sustainability and this is embedded into organisational ethos and culture. Last year we achieved Green Mark Level 1 and have our final audit for Level 2 next week.
Andrew was invited to present as a Key Note Speaker at Green Mark ESF TA Celebration Event. Read on for an overview and key messages delivered at the event.
Yes, this is possible, said Dr Marcos Pelenur at the ESF TA Green Mark Celebration event on 4 June 2014 at The Crystal: “If you want to encourage a behaviour, make it Easy, Attractive, Social and Timely (EAST)! … you can start by changing the defaults.” More information about Dr Marcos Pelenur’s presentation can be accessed at www.behaviouralinsights.co.uk.
Dr Victoria Hands, drawing on her experience from London School of Economics and Kingston University where she currently leads the Sustainability Hub, agreed that positive behaviour change is achievable: “Sustainability needs to be driven by efficiency and effectiveness and getting everyone involved in the process of embedding it into policy and practice.”
Victoria highlighted the fact that virtually all of us, in the 21st century, have “slaves” as a consequence of the supply chains and workforces used in some countries to produce goods consumed in the Western world.
Equally shocking were the details of the impact that this has on local people who are involved in dismantling electronic waste in African countries, as presented by Roslyn Scott the Founder of the MobiCycle charity.
Four organisations which have achieved a Green Mark certification demonstrated how positive behaviour change can be achieved and can lead to resource efficiency, staff and community wellbeing, as well as cost and CO2 savings.
Andrew Purvis, K10’s CEO – who believes that we are custodians of the planet rather than owners of it – emphasised the importance of the corporate values that an organisation has. He also discussed the role of leadership at several levels, as well as the critical role that regular discussion, monitoring and measuring performance play.
Orla Donnelly, Mia Wylie and Phoebe Heneage demonstrated how sustainability, happiness and wellbeing are part of their ELATT’s DNA. They presented a large number of initiatives which involve employees, learners, volunteers and partners which aim to influence local community groups positively.
Eleanor Gaskell-Taylor, Reed in Partnership’s Continuous Improvement Manager, spoke about the Reed Group’s history of sustainability initiatives and showcased their internal e-learning modules – featuring Boris the Bloodhound – that ensure their staff minimise the environmental impact of their day-to-day work.
Phil Thompson, Head of Development and Sustainability within Catalyst Housing, discussed how they achieved a SHIFT ‘Gold’ and how they hope to achieve a SHIFT ‘Platinum’ rating in future. Phil also explained how Catalyst Housing overcomes the challenges of managing data and evidence (carbon FP, recycling, waste info etc) and how a growing company stays sustainable.
Finally the panel presentations and discussions closed with the presentation of the awards to the three winners of the event’s Green Quiz: ELATT’s, Peter Bedford Housing Association and Prospect Services.
Presentations from keynote speakers and the Green Quiz can be dowloded at http://www.green-mark.co.uk/esf-news-item.php?id=60
