How to Build a Culture of Climate Action Within Your Company

There is an increasing demand for sustainability initiatives in companies, both externally by investors and customers, as well as within by employees. In a survey by Deloitte, 27% of participants said that they consider a potential employer’s position on sustainability before accepting a job. In a follow-up survey targeting Gen Z and Millennials, 64% of respondents believe in the power they have to drive organizational change. As young employees are entering the workforce, many not only have a strong environmental awareness but also an expectation that their employers will be responsive to their input. However, taking corporate climate action requires a company-wide effort. And building a culture of climate action isn’t about adding ‘green’ to your brand, it’s about emphasizing sustainability into how your team thinks, works, and grows together. Here are a few ways to begin:

1. Gain Leadership Commitment 

Building culture within an organization has to start from the top. Ensure that your senior leadership team is both on board and involved in sustainability conversations.  A culture of climate action is most effective when senior leaders lead by example. Their involvement sends a clear message: sustainability is a strategic priority, not an afterthought. Incorporate sustainability into your company’s mission and values. Encourage leaders to speak about sustainability in company meetings, attend green initiatives, and back sustainable decisions across departments.

2. Set Measurable Sustainability Goals

Before reducing emissions, it’s crucial to understand where your company currently stands. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol provides a global framework for measuring emissions, categorizing them into three types:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity
• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions, such as business travel and supply chain

Need help calculating your footprint? Check out our guide on measuring emissions.

Once you have a baseline, set clear reduction targets. Here are a few approaches:

• Percentage Reduction: Reduce emissions by a set percent from your baseline (e.g., 25% by 2030)
• Absolute Reduction: Commit to cutting a specific volume of emissions (e.g., 100,000 tons by 2030)
• Science-Based Targets (SBTi): Align your goals with the Paris Agreement and climate science for maximum impact. Learn more about SBTi and its benefits here.

3. Educate and Engage Employees

Your employees are your greatest asset in creating a sustainable culture. Keep them informed and inspired. Use sustainability reports, newsletters, emails, and signage to communicate the company goals. Informing every member of your organization emphasizes its priority within the company and engages your employees. Include sustainability training in new employee onboarding and provide workshops or seminars throughout the year. Hold events to keep sustainability on the forefront of employee minds such as Earth Day, volunteering, or walk and bike to work. Host internal competitions for goals such as recycling quotas and offer incentives for winners to boost morale and engagement within the office. Create space for ownership and feedback. Consider forming a green team or sustainability committee to champion initiatives, brainstorm ideas, and track progress.

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4. Integrate Sustainability Into Every Facet

Sustainability shouldn’t live in one department. Embed it into decision-making across teams, from procurement and marketing to HR and operations. Bring external stakeholders into the fold too. Collaborate with environmentally-minded suppliers, pursue third-party certifications like B Corp or Fair Trade, and partner with non-profits aligned with your goals. When your whole ecosystem is aligned, your efforts become much more impactful.

5. Communicate and Celebrate Progress

Transparency builds trust. Share your wins, but also be upfront about setbacks and where you’re still learning. Stakeholders value authenticity over perfection. Use storytelling through blog posts, videos, or internal updates to make progress feel personal and relatable. When milestones are met, make sure to celebrate them! Whether it’s a company-wide shoutout, an awards ceremony, or just a heartfelt thank-you, recognition motivates continued progress.

Building a culture of climate action within your company isn’t just a smart business move, it’s a meaningful commitment to a more sustainable future. When sustainability is woven into your organization’s values, goals, and everyday actions, it becomes more than an initiative, it becomes a shared mindset. By engaging leadership, setting clear goals, empowering employees, and staying transparent about your progress, you create a foundation for lasting impact. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with intentional steps and collective effort, your company can lead the way and inspire others to follow.