As more organisations conduct carbon footprint audits and develop carbon reduction plans to support their climate transition, it’s crucial to emphasise the importance of employee engagement in these strategies. Active participation from employees is not just beneficial but essential for the success of these initiatives.

In this article, we summarise a French sociological study on the ecological mobilisation of employees and provide our perspective. We will discuss four types of mobilisation, who leads them, the key success criteria for effective global mobilisation, and some limitations to keep in mind.

Let’s dive in!

Current Situation

In 2019, ecological mobilisation in companies was mainly led by ‘lone wolves’—individuals driven by their values and energy without organisational support or a broader employee movement.

Since then, the phenomenon has expanded. Ecological mobilisation now involves a wider section of the population, and organisations are leading, structuring, and recognising these efforts.

For example, networks of ambassadors and CSR departments have become standard practice. However, we are still in the early stages of these efforts.

Why is it Important?

Ecological mobilisation accelerates:

Democratic Efforts: Organisations undertaking ecological transformations often adopt horizontal governance models, setting aside traditional hierarchies.

Sustainable Solutions: Organisations see improvements in reducing their negative impacts and enhancing their positive contributions.

So, how do we achieve this?

Four Main Levers for Ecological Mobilisation

Depending on your maturity level and objectives, consider the following:

Co-Creation Workshops: These workshops can be structural or occasional, facilitated by professionals. They allow participants to share experiences, ideas, and knowledge quickly, fostering new relationships and creating a sense of belonging that legitimises individual actions. (e.g. Climate Fresk, or Engagement workshops).

Training or Innovation Journeys: These journeys provide practical tools for those who want to develop concrete solutions. They transform individuals by enhancing skills, introducing new collaboration methods, and empowering participants. Unlike workshops, these courses unfold over several months and consist of multiple sequences with parallel work, acting like a rite of passage and marking a significant change in status. (e.g. our Innovation programme with Multipharma).

Platforms & Applications: Digital platforms engage employees through challenges, competition, and fun by awarding points for ecological actions and promoting pioneers who inspire their colleagues. These tools can reach a wide cross-section of the company, but for long-term effectiveness, they need to be supported by a community of employee ambassadors.

Networks & Federations: These networks are federations of groups of employee eco-activists. They provide a political dimension to employee actions by offering forums for inter-company exchange, lobbying management, and encouraging career development, such as becoming a union representative.