Creating a Culture of Conservation in the Workplace

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When it comes to conservation in the workplace, employee awareness can really make a difference. BC Hydro's Workplace Conservation Awareness Initiative is a recently completed pilot project that examined the impacts of implementing a standardized education program targeting energy conservation and other green initiatives in the workplace. The pilot, which was launched in September of 2007, consisted of 10 organizations that worked with BC Hydro to create cultural and behavioural changes in the workplace. Participating organizations included property management companies, hospitals, schools and universities.

To get started, each participating organization met with BC Hydro to develop a plan of action, identify the strategies that would be a good fit for their organization and to determine how to overcome the barriers to success. During the four-hour planning workshop, which was run by a BC Hydro Power Smart specialist, participants were asked to consider:

1. The behaviors that they want to change in the workplace;
2. The strategies that are a good fit for their office;
3. The benefits for their employees;
4. Any barriers that would prevent the desired actions; and
5. A communications strategy.

The successful organizations in the pilot shared a common action of identifying six to eight people in their organization to form a "green team," who would be responsible for encouraging their peers to become more energy efficient.

Following the planning workshop, the participants were equipped with the knowledge and resources to promote conservation in their workplace. Successful tactics included: pledge forms, newsletters, posters, a suggestion box program, workstation audits, lunch and learns, fun contests with prizes, speeches from senior management, and regular reporting and feedback on progress through emails.

"The key to the success of a behavior change program is to ensure that it is customized to your specific workplace," said Simon Vickers, Program Manager at BC Hydro. "The benefits need to be connected to the things that are important to your employees."

The preliminary results are very promising. Jawl Properties has shown a savings of up to 18% on their electricity bill, while Vancouver Island Health Authority Central North saved 23% at one of their facilities. The complete results will be available later this summer.