Our commitment to sustainability
What we’re doing to become more sustainable and have a greater positive impact on individuals, organisations, communities and wider society.
What we’re doing to become more sustainable and have a greater positive impact on individuals, organisations, communities and wider society.
Our profession can play a significant leadership role in helping organisations become more responsible and sustainable. Learn more about what we’re doing to become more sustainable ourselves, and how we’re helping our profession take the lead in their own organisations.
We believe that by increasing our reach and influence, we can have a greater positive impact on individuals, organisations, communities and wider society. But we’re determined to do this in a sustainable way.
We’re committed to improving sustainability in all the ways we work – as an organisation and employer, as a business partner and customer, and as the leader of our professional community. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is shared by our community: 88% of our members have told us it’s important for the CIPD to be sustainable. We have a huge opportunity to harness our community’s insights, positioning our profession as the leader in responsible and sustainable business practices as we support the global ambition to reach net zero by 2050.
We’re part of the United Nations Global Compact and we're guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people, our societies and our planet. Our strategy and operations aim to make the most significant contribution to ten of the SDGs. These form our framework for auditing and tracking our progress on sustainability:
We’ve shared our environmental policy and commitment with our people and with their ideas and enthusiasm, we’ve made great progress.
Thanks in no small part to an employee suggestion to close our head office on Fridays, we’ve reduced our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and impressed the Investors in the Environment auditors with our robust sustainability strategy and environmental management system. With silver accreditation now firmly under our belt, we’re working towards achieving green accreditation – the highest accolade.
We’ve cut our combined scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 19% since 2020/21, but we’re now measuring more factors which means our overall emissions have increased.
People professionals must take the lead in building responsible and sustainable organisations. We continue to support our members in the practical steps they can take, whatever the size or sector of their organisations, including:
Get started on your net zero journey with our guide.
We’ll continue to use our voice and platforms to highlight environmental sustainability and to develop resources that equip our professional community in their leadership role on this key issue.
In support of our iiE accreditation, we’re exploring ways to further reduce the impact of our business travel. In September 2023, we held our first conservation team-building day in the UK. Colleagues from across the organisation came together to cut back invasive scrubs and saplings on Wimbledon and Putney commons, helping to promote biodiversity. We're planning more conservation days in the future.
Explore the practical steps you can take, whatever the size, industry or sector of your organisation.
Read our sustainability guideTackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.
Our public policy team champions better work and working lives by shaping public debate, government policy and legislation.
At the centre of your organisation, you have the connections and insights to help shift cultures, ways of working and behaviours to promote greater. Read about the steps you can take in our guide. Listen to our podcast to appreciate the business case. And explore our Profession Map to understand how you can help your organisation grow responsibly and sustainably.
Podcast
Episode 174: Understanding the impact that your business and working practices are having on the environment is a vital first step in your sustainability journey. But how can organisations and people professionals embed environmental sustainability into the core of their business?
Understanding your organisation, the commercial context and the wider world of work
We are growing and broadening our professional community, because our organisations, economies and societies need many more champions for better work and working lives. Our governance arrangements ensure that we do this responsibly and sustainably. Read about our approach to corporate responsibility, our purpose and impact, our work this year, and the expertise and commitment of our people.
How our structure, governance and leadership keep our charitable and business activities responsible, accountable, sustainable and transparent
Better work and working lives for all
Growing our reach, growing our impact
Our success relies on the expertise and commitment of a wide range of staff, volunteers and associates