SHRM-Atlanta

Is sustainability a critical strategy for your organization?

Kimberly-Clark’s Sustainability 2015 initiative encompasses the power of Kimberly-Clark’s global businesses, brands and employees and is built around a framework of People, Planet and Products. The Sustainability 2015 strategy is a holistic way of weaving sustainable business practices into everything the company does and is an integral component of the firm’s Global Business Plan.

KPMG’s Climate Change & Sustainability Services practice and The Economist Intelligence Unit recently issued a joint Corporate Sustainability Report that reveals:

• Sustainability has moved up the corporate agenda over the past three years
• Sustainability is a source of innovation and new growth for many companies including; Federal Express, UPS, Siemens and IBM
• The importance of measurement and reporting of sustainability performance

Sustainability has been defined as the ability “to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” As corporate sustainability is becoming a priority for successful businesses around the globe, what is the role of the Human Resource Management function?

HR’s Role in Corporate Sustainability

The SHRM Foundation has published a new report on HR’s role in Corporate Sustainability as a part of its Effective Practice Guidelines Series. The report entitled; HRM’s Role in Corporate Social and Environmental Sustainability recommends that HR should:

1. Help formulate and achieve environmental and social goals while balancing these objectives with the traditional financial metrics.
2. Serve as a partner in determining what is needed and possible in developing corporate values and sustainability strategy. Encourage employees through learning and development and compensation to reduce the amount of environmentally damaging chemicals in their products.
3. Ensure that employees execute the strategy consistently across the organization. Assist employees in identifying ways to recycle products.
4. Design the company’s HRM system to promote equity, development and well-being, thereby contributing to the long-term health and sustainability of both internal (employees) and external communities.

For more information on the research findings read the SHRM Foundation Executive Briefing.

For the full SHRM foundation report, download HRM’s Role in Corporate Social and Environmental Sustainability. The SHRM Foundation Report provides an Organizational Roadmap showing HR’s contribution to sustainability that is iterative and practical. Invest some time in reading the report, you won’t regret it!

Charlotte F. Hughes is an expert talent development professional with extensive experience in leadership and organizational development as a partner with business leaders and HR in multiple industries. In her role as Senior Learning and Development Consultant with Kimberly-Clark she is responsible for helping human resources and business leaders with performance improvement and learning solutions that drive business goals. You can connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn and read more from Charlotte on her TalentFocus Blog.