Promoting your program
When your business implements a greenhouse gas management program, it is important that any related communications help maximize the program's benefits and effectiveness as an environmental initiative.
Many businesses have implemented an innovative GHG management program, only to see it languish due to a perceived lack of stakeholder support - when in fact, stakeholders were not even aware of the initiative because of poor communications.
Advantages of effective communications
- Motivating and engaging your employees to participate in achieving the goals of the program.
- Informing stakeholders of the company's progress in meeting its targets.
- Helping create positive brand visibility among investors and customers.
- Educating and inspiring customers and the broader public to take action on climate change.
- Gaining positive media coverage for the organization
- Inspiring other businesses and organizations to take action.
- Addressing regulatory reporting requirements, if applicable.
To achieve the different advantages, your business will need a communications plan as part of its greenhouse gas management program.
How to avoid greenwashing
In sum, communicate with integrity.
- Consult with stakeholders to find out what they are looking for.
- Be transparent.
- Review all environmental claims carefully.
- Ensure that staff is trained to understand the issues.
- Develop a communications policy that addresses greenwashing.
- Seek independent advice and certification.
- Audit to a standard whenever possible.
- Consider communicating through a reputable 3rd party organization that can verify and critique your green claims.
- Go beyond what is legally required.
Source: Competition Bureau Canada website.
Find out more
For more information about the communication plan and key elements for effective communications, read the Doing Business in a New Climate guide (PDF, 5.72 MB).
Source: David Suzuki Foundation website