Earth Hour ideas for businesses

Every year since 2007, at 8.30pm on the last Saturday of March, people in over 190 countries unite to raise awareness and inspire action for climate change and bio-diversity loss - two urgent threats to our home and our standard of living.  Earth Hour is more than just a yearly occasion, it is a movement fighting for a better, healthier and more sustainable future. 

Today Earth Hour has become a catalyst for positive enivronmental impact, sparking global conversations on protecting nature and tackling the climate crisis. Several businesses around the globe are enthusiastically embracing Earth Hour - from turning off lights at headquarters, flipping the switch on iconic landmarks, and spreading the word amongst employees and customers to participate. This single act is provoking discussion and building momentum towards a renewable future. 

Earth Hour is a great opportunity for your business to demonstrate your commitment to the environment, showcase your existing environmental work and engage with your communities. Here are some tips for how your business can support Earth Hour 2022 - Saturday 26th March.

Switch off the lights

Switch off non-essential lights in your buildings, facilities and signage during Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. For offices that are closed over the weekends, ensure that all lights are turned off on Friday evening.

Nominate an 'Earth Hour' champion

Elect an Earth Hour champions for your business. Their job will be to introduce more sustainable measures to the workplace and ensure the lights are out and appliances are switched off and ideally unplugged, not only for the hour but at the end of each working day. Large companies may want to look into the concept of creating a Green Team.

Incentivise your employees

In the fight against climate change, no action is too small. Ensure recycling bins are accessible all over the workplace. Avoid single-use plastic in the office, like one-time coffee pods; opt instead for fair-trade coffee. Choose zero-waste items for your kitchenette and toileteries. Incentivise car-pooling, public transportation and biking to work. 

Spread the world

Spread the word about Earth Hour in your office, building, and on your digital networks. You can add a banner on your online pages and websites, change your email signature or make a temporary tweak/addition to your logo or branding. Create buzz at the office, ask employees to wear a green T-Shirt on the day or print some yourself with your brand logo and the Earth Hour symbol. 

Invest in nature

The science is clear. The health of the planet is declining at rates never seen in human history and that is putting our global economy at risk, as well as undermining human health, well-being and progress. Food, energy, and water are critical resource challenges for any company, and offering sustainable alternatives will enhance your business's reputation with features that modern investors and customers are seeking for in a company. 

Redefine your purpose

A clear company purpose that drives business and sustainability can help customers make informed choices and live more sustainably. Take the opportunity to align your company's policies and values with sustainability, and embrace forward-thinking eco-sensible solutions. 

Go beyond the hour

The purpose of Earth Hour is to instill sustainable habits. This means making a commitment to a continual change throughout the year that reduces your impact on the environment. Organising environmental stewardship activities for your employees is an excellent way to inspire climate action amongst the workforce and highlighting your environmental contribution to customers and shareholders. Visit this LINK to read about Eco Market Malta's CSR activities.  

Use the SDGs 

The UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals are a blueprint for business leadership. Get familiar with them, print a copy and stick it on your cork board or use the global goals as your desktop picture. They will serve as a guide for a better and more sustainable future for all. 

Last but not least, download the official Earth Hour 2022 Business Pack which includes a handbook for employee engagement.

People, Planet and Profit - The future of businesses

In technical terms it is called the Triple Bottom Line and it is the future of all businesses. The TBL is a framework to evaluate the performance of a business, and it takes into consideration the fact that businesses have a huge impact on the world and ensures that this impact is positive. Unfortunately, many so-called successful businesses make huge profits at the expense of its workers, community and environment.

The TBL ensures that a business can measure its success not only by its profit, but also by the positive impact it has on people and planet. That includes its employees, its neighbouring community, its consumers, its collaborators as well as its operations, carbon footprint, manufacturing processing, source of raw materials, and so on.

A business that has specific social or environmental objectives that serve as its primary purpose is called a 'Social Enterprise' whereby the TBL is an inherent element from conception. Social Entrepreneurs are therefore entrepreneurs who start and run a business for the greater social good and not just for the pursuit of profits. In addition, they usually invest their profits in the business's primary objectives, rather than having them pocketed by shareholders. 

The Eco Market is a good example of a Social Enterprise. Through its operations, it has a positive impact on its community of conscious consumers and producers; and a positive impact on its environment, by promoting and advocating for a sustainable lifestyle. Profits are re-invested to reach new ambitious goals for an even greater impact and for the benefit of all.

In Europe, Social Enterprises legally exist in Denmark, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, and under development in Latvia and Poland. There are many several Social Enterprises in Malta but are not yet legally recognized as such.

Enter SEAM - Social Entrepreneurs Association Malta. A non-profit association launched in September 2020, which was formed for the attainment of these purpose;

1. - To raise awareness and educate society about the concept of Social Entrepreneurship, particularly amongst start-ups and students

2. - To facilitate those who aspire to become social entrepreneurs and encourage cross-border collaborations

3. - To lobby for the recognition of the Social Enterprise Act as a legal business type in Malta. 

To learn more about SEAM and social entrepreneurship, please visit their website. They have a very comprehensive FAQs. You can also join as a member and become part of a conscious network of businesses and individuals committed to bring positive change in Malta.

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Zero Waste Week 7-11 September

The 5 Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Rot. 

You have heard of these before, I am sure, but how ingrained are these concepts in your daily life? Are you just aiming to reduce waste? Or are you also mindful of what you buy and what you consume?

On occasion of Zero Waste Week, here are some insights on the core concepts of a zero-waste lifestyle.

Refuse

Refuse anything with single-use plastic. Refuse anything that has a short life span and leads to its waste sitting in landfill for years and years to come. Such as bottled water, take away coffee cups and containers, and useless packaging. 

For example, I obviously carry a bag with me when I go shopping. At the pharmacy where i shop, they pack everything in a paper bag with the pharmacy's logo. Its almost second nature to them, no matter how small the object is. I always refuse the paper bag and just chuck my items into my own bag. I always smile and tell them 'save a tree' - at the beginning they used to give me a suprised/weird look, but now they almost got used to me and smile back.

Reduce

We all know that we buy way too much stuff; stuff that we don't really need. Being mindful of what we buy is a smart thing to do, it will save us money and keep our homes tidy - and when our living quarters are in order, so are our minds. That is basically a suprising benefit of minimalistic living, I suppose. Take a look around your house - you will probably find things that you don't want or don't use anymore. Find someone who does and pass them on. 

Leaving products on the shelf sends a powerful message to the business who made that product. It says whether or not they should keep doing what they are doing. Don't forget that for every euro you spend, you are casting a vote. Best is to buy things that have the longest lifespan possible, the least amount of waste possible, without sacrificing quality. 

Re-use

There is so much we could re-use. All we need is thought and immagination. For example, you can take your own containers when ordering take-away food. You can use reusable cloths instead of wet wipes and napkins. You can take your own pantry jars to the supermarket.

The fashion industry is the second highest polluter on the planet. Re-use clothes and accessories as much as possible. If you don't want them, donate them to a good cause or swap them at events. Learn to do some basic mending. Transform an old top into a one-of-a-kind bag.

Recycle

The process of industrial recycling has its own challenges and its own carbon footprint so it should be kept as a last resort. How familiar are you with recycling? Do you know what goes in each bag? Do you know how to recycle items properly? Do you know where you have to take certain items? 

For example, did you know that glittery wrapping is not recyclable? Did you know that printer cartridges have a recycling scheme? Do you know how to dispose of medicines, electrical equipment, or batteries? If you are unsure, reach out to your local council or WasteServ for information. 

Rot

Also known as composting, is the act of turning food waste and other organic items back into nutrient-rich soil. Consider talking to your farmer as it is very possible that he or she will be happy to take your organic content. 

At this point we can close the loop and go back to refuse. Refuse to buy and prepare large amounts of food which will likely go to waste. Cook using fresh ingredients in small batches. Take a good look at your pantry and cupboards before buying anything new and try to use what you already have bought. Plan your weekly menu to ensure you buy the right ingredients in the right amounts. The most common reasons why food gets wasted in Maltese households include too much cooked food, leftovers are not eaten, food left in the fridge that goes off or left for too long. Avoid these mistakes and you'll certainly notice a decrease in your organic bin. 

Want to make a difference?

Inspire others by sharing this article with your friends and family on social media.

Pledge to go zero-waste for a week - notice how it makes you feel - and imagine a world free of avoidable waste!

Preparing for the planet's climate future

How are you taking the threat of global warming?

Are you considering happening it slowly or quickly?

Are you thinking of how many people, or animals, or eco-systems, are going to be effected by it? 

Take 11 minutes of your time now to listen to this TED TALK. David Wallace-Wells explains in a very clear way the problems we are already facing, and those which we are going to face soon, and submits reasonable solutions as well. 

We have the science. We have the technology. We have everything we need to prepare today for a better future tomorrow.

Profit, People and Planet

Guest post by Matteo Privitelli, CORE Platform

The business sector is an integral part of society and the decisions taken within a corporation have huge consequences on both society and the environment, both good and bad. A firm might be in excellent economic conditions but unless its positive contribution to people and planet is in balance with its profits, it should not be considered a successful venture. Business ethics does not suggest that a corporation generates a ton of profit at the expense of the environment, or at the expense of any group of society. 

Today we discuss the need for a well-executed plan to elevate 'Corporate Social Responsibility' in Malta and establish it as common practice. Matteo Privitelli, from CORE Platform, has spent the past 5 years working on a national action plan, and is sharing his findings in today's blog post.

CORE Platform and the NAP on CSR for Malta

Ever since its creation as the national platform on CSR in Malta in September 2015, CORE Platform, which is a registered Voluntary Organisation, has grown a lot and has formed part of numerous CSR initiatives with local councils, NGOs, businesses, and local communities. Despite still being very small and having limited resources, the impact the organisation has made, and is making, is large, particularly in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, and its network of contacts is increasing with every passing day.

CORE Platform, which is under the patronage of Her Excellency, is made up of the business institutions in the country, namely the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry; the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA); the Malta Employers' Association (MEA); the Malta Business Bureau (MBB); the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU); and SOS Malta, which is representing the NGOs.

CORE Platform is also member of CSR Europe, which is the largest CSR lobby group in Europe, which also gave the organisation the opportunity to showcase and promote CSR initiatives, while also discuss matters related to the subject at a European level. The organisation also became a member of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships in May 2017 and in March 2018 CORE Platform became a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Mediterranean and SDSN Youth.

CORE Platform has been engaged in a number of local and European projects. Since the organisation is an enabler and tries to work with as many stakeholders as possible, all of these projects were done while working closely with other stakeholders. Its most recent project is the National Action Plan on CSR for Malta.  Almost every other EU Member State has a strategy on CSR and, therefore, it was crucial that work started on creating such a plan. Thankfully, through the support of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, the organisation received the funding to embark on this much-needed project.

The specific objectives of the project were the following:

1) Finding out which businesses have a CSR strategy in place and which CSR initiatives or actions are priorities for Malta. A further objective was then to raise awareness among the business sector, local government, and civil society on CSR.

2) The research helped in drafting and, then, finalising a National Action Plan on CSR for Malta. This plan will give guidelines to Maltese businesses on how to become more engaged in their local communities and on how to become more responsible and sustainable.

3) The National Action Plan will be made available to businesses, especially those that have not yet set up a CSR strategy and will encourage them to change their behaviour and model to favour a more responsible sustainable approach.

4) For the project to be successful, an online space in the form of a webpage on CORE Platform’s website was created. This is accessible to all and will give more insight on the National Action Plan as well as on any CSR initiatives being done in Malta. This online space can be used by any entity or business in Malta to post or comment about any initiatives or ideas they are doing or plan on doing. Apart from the online space, there was also a campaign that raised more awareness about CSR and helped get people more involved and engaged in the project.

In addition, a number of stakeholder meetings with government ministries, local entities and businesses were held, together with workshops, all of which contributed towards the final development and creation of the National Action Plan on CSR for Malta. This plan will ultimately benefit all the business community and society as a whole.

The National Plan aims to support businesses in Malta to foster a culture of responsible corporate practices within both the workplace and the marketplace, create sustainable and fair relationships with employees, clients and suppliers, embrace diversity, build positive relationships with the community and take due consideration of their impact on the environment.

These aims are expected to be met by:

* Building awareness amongst businesses, employers and employees on CSR and on the benefits of fostering responsible business practices;

* Providing guidelines and supporting resources to develop effective CSR practices;

* Aligning the goals of this Action Plan to the national objectives and to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Whilst there is a growing awareness of the demand for responsible corporate behaviour amongst businesses in Malta, research has shown that one in three businesses are not aware of the term CSR. Businesses in Malta are already carrying out activities which could be construed as CSR initiatives, mainly through charity work. Having said this, there is a lack of understanding that strategic implementation of CSR within a company leads to enhanced business operations and gains in competitive advantage.

This Action plan develops guidelines to support businesses in the effective development of their CSR programmes, by providing examples of CSR activities. These examples are not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all of Malta’s needs but rather to provide guidance on how CSR can be embedded within the business decisions and day-to-day activities. 

This tool uses the UN SDGs as a framework for objectives to formulate CSR approaches to ensure that businesses operate within an inclusive and fair society and a prosperous economy, mitigate climate change and its impacts, and protect the environment.

Under each one of the 17 SDGs, examples of CSR practices are provided to identify desired outcomes that can be achieved through initiatives undertaken by businesses, and the impacts expected to arise from them.

These activities target four main dimensions of CSR: the workplace dimension to engage with the needs of employees, the marketplace dimension to address the company’s interactions with clients and suppliers, and the environment and community dimensions to enhance its wider impacts.

In order for an enterprise to engage in CSR, it must carry out a thought process. This would involve:

* Priority Area – Identifying an SDG or a few SDGs that the enterprise would focus on.

* Desired Outcome – Defining the outcomes that the enterprise wants to achieve by the initiative.

* Initiatives – Developing initiatives that enable the enterprise to meet the expected impacts. Setting timelines, deadlines, and targets will allow for this to be more successful.

The Government plays an important role in serving as a facilitator of CSR by encouraging businesses, through its national policy and programmes, to adopt CSR practices within their operations.

Whilst CSR activity is primarily industry-driven, measures to be implemented by the Government are aimed to support the adoption of socially responsible practices by businesses. In this regard, local councils are important stakeholders in communities as they have good understanding of the local concerns and priority areas, whilst being able to build effective relationships with the business community and with Non-Governmental and Voluntary Organisations in the locality.

Measures to support the implementation of the Action Plan

Implementing Body

1. Set up an implementing body for the measures in this Action Plan, which is to develop a programme to drive and support the Plan.

Communication

2. Identify existing and emerging Government policy relevant to CSR to examine ways in which such policies can be supported by businesses through their CSR activities.
3. Communicate the National Plan with businesses and employers representative bodies to encourage and support their members to develop CSR initiatives.
4. Raise awareness of CSR and its benefits through the relevant Government departments and through businesses and employers representative bodies.

Supporting and Promoting CSR

5. Create supportive information material on CSR to be disseminated to businesses through business and employers representative bodies.
6. Develop a platform for businesses to cooperate on CSR activities, in a manner which creates the necessary critical mass for initiatives to have sustained impacts over the longer term:

·     The platform would highlight the priority needs for the country and main areas of interest currently covered by CSR activities; 

·       It would identify gaps in CSR activities relative to national needs;

·     It would enable the measurement of achievement of CSR initiatives and highlight needs for corrective action over time.

7. Encourage the participation of large businesses in CSR practices and raise awareness of the value of responsible corporate practices to attract and retain valuable talent towards the company as well as their positive impact on the wider community.
8. Encourage and promote good governance practice in the reporting of CSR activities in the Annual Reports of large businesses. Inform large businesses with over 500 employees on the obligations of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, and encourage them to align their CSR programmes with international guidelines and principles.

Supporting and Promoting CSR

9. In liaison with the relevant Ministries, organise an event for the official launch of the National Action Plan.
10. Establish a programme to identify and reward CSR activity amongst enterprises, with awards being presented in a variety of areas of CSR in a National CSR Awards Ceremony.

Mentorship

11. Implement a Start-Up Mentoring Programme to support entrepreneurs in building profitable ventures and to realise the benefits of social and environmental responsible business practices. 

Monitoring

12. Monitor evolving trends in the implementation of CSR in businesses and identify best practices through relevant tools and studies.

For more information about CORE Platform or the National Action Plan on CSR for Malta, kindly contact Mr Matteo Privitelli, the organisation’s Executive, on matteo.privitelli@core.org.mt.

You can also watch a presentation video about the CSR National Action plan published during Earth Week Malta here.