Feeling the fatigue when it comes to sustainability? You aren’t alone explains David Humphreys, ESSA member and Director at Green Circle Solutions, yet there are solutions to help reinvigorate your sustainable journey.
Sustainability fatigue has become a real issue for some in the events industry.
It can feel like there is this constant pressure to make every event 100% sustainable - sometimes an impossible standard to meet. We all want to do the right thing, but when every decision feels like a sustainability test, it can become exhausting, and a reset is needed.
Get everyone on board
Your business’s sustainability journey is not something to be delegated to only a handful of people. Involving everyone business-wide makes everyone feel part of the journey.
Demonstrating that your efforts are not just good for the planet, but are also good for the business is essential to securing employee buy-in.
No one person can do it all, but together, real progress can be made.
Set realistic goals
Unrealistic goals can lead to feelings of disempowerment, followed by inevitable disillusionment if goals then are not met.
It’s a game of practicality over perfection. Creating practical, easy-to-implement, measurable solutions is far better than a vague plan that leaves people confused regarding where to even start.
It’s also crucial to also celebrate the small wins, no matter how small, to keep momentum going.
Education
Ultimately, it comes down to education; when people understand why a small change matters, they’re much more likely to stick with it.
We hear a lot of ‘do better, be greener’, but without practical guidance and education, it’s easy to quickly become fatigued, so cutting through the noise and focusing on what is important is essential.
Sustainability courses such as those provided by ESSA help identify a clear strategy, while accreditation is enormously beneficial to identify a focused and manageable plan of action.
By understanding that sustainability is a marathon and not a sprint, we can ensure we keep fatigue at bay and that sustainability remains a priority.
Published in the May edition of Hospitality & Events North magazine
