A new Sustainability at Work survey carried out by Adobe throws interesting insights into the sustainability trends in Indian workplaces. The report also drew a `now global conclusion’ that the youth (between 25 to 34 years and the millennials are driving sustainability practices at the workplace.

On their part, enterprises too have embarked on their sustainability journey not just to retain existing talent or hire new employees, but also as a part of their conscious effort to drive purpose-driven, ethical, sustainable business practices across their organisation.

Interestingly, the findings which were a part a new study titled Sustainability at Work, highlighted the importance of sustainability at workforce. Notably, Adobe interviewed more than 1,000 Indian employees and business managers for the survey. The findings can act a learning point for the C-suite and experts driving sustainability practices in enterprises across industry verticals.

Listed below are some key findings:

1. Some findings:
• The company wants to reduce its environmental impact
• Employees are individually involved in enforcing the company’s sustainability initiatives
• Sustainable practices in the workplace lead to improvements in workplace culture, reduced negative environmental impact, and increased overall productivity rates
• Employees in the age group 25 to 34 years (97 %) directly involved in driving sustainability practices
• Important for 97% executives to achieve high sustainability at work
• 41% executives ranked sustainability at workplace as one of their top three metrics for business success
• 83% respondents feel empowered to help improve their company’s sustainability practices
• 82% employees want to be more involved in driving sustainability practices
• Around 70% said their company is in line with or ahead of other companies in its sector in implementing sustainability practices
• 84% said their company has dedicated personnel to implement sustainability practices

2. How Indian employees view sustainability?
• 77%: Company prioritises sustainability and wants to reduce its environmental impact
• 93%: Company has boosted its sustainability efforts to attract prospective employees
• 71%: Want to only work at a company that prioritises sustainability

3. Technology is the key:
More than 90 percent employees responded that hybrid working can make businesses more sustainable. Because:
• Increased focus on digital document storage and management (44%),
• Encouraging use of digital collaboration and workflow tools
• Lower electricity consumption in commercial office spaces

4. Tracking sustainable practices:

According to senior executives and business managers surveyed, Indian companies track sustainability initiatives in several ways. These include:
• Publishing sustainability performance reports (56%)
• Running internal auditing and reporting (51%)
• Including sustainability in management performance scorecards (50%)

5. The split:
However, the opinion of who should primarily drive sustainability initiatives in the workplace was split. About 30% respondents said everyone should drive it equally, while the rest said that either employees or executives and managers should be tasked to do so (35% and 29%, respectively). Indian employees also see sustainability as an opportunity for innovation, talent attraction and retention.

6. Sustainability @ 2030:
• Sustainability initiatives will be viewed as opportunities for innovation (85 %)
• Companies will consider their entire supply chain, including vendors for sustainability initiatives (82%)
• Companies will have a dedicated sustainability department to reduce environmental footprint (82%)
• Increase use of digital document storage and management (41%)
• Prioritise renewable energy (41%)
• Work towards reducing or eliminating plastic in the workplace (40%).
• Employees hope to see more recycling programmes and reduced paper usage and printing in the office

Leader comments:
Prativa Mohapatra, Vice President and Managing Director, Adobe India, said, “The findings of Adobe’s Sustainability at Work survey show that more employees want to be involved in driving sustainable business practices in their workplaces and it is a clear reflection of an inspiring mindset that the Indian workforce holds towards a sustainable future of work.”