Staff Engagement with Sustainability is on the Rise, but Barriers to Sustainable Business Practices Remain  

+ Significant decrease in firms that feel “informed” on Sustainability 

+ Staff engagement with sustainability on the rise 

7th October 2022: Just over half (52%) of firms consider themselves well informed on sustainability, according to Dublin Chamber’s 2022 Sustainability Survey, conducted by Amarach Research. This is a significant decrease from the 71% who stated the same in 2021. 

Dublin Chamber CEO Mary Rose Burke commented that “The sharp decrease in firms who consider themselves well informed on sustainability indicates the increasingly nuanced approach to sustainability that is developing within public discourse. The phrase has grown in its scope and the conversation around sustainability is becoming increasingly sophisticated.”

When it comes to what businesses associate most with “sustainability”, organisations primarily identify sustainability with improvements in waste (86%), energy efficiency (73%), and in reducing their carbon footprint (64%). Interestingly only 25% of those surveyed noted “Moving to a business strategy that is in keeping with Circular Economy principles” as a priority.

Mary Rose Burke said “The disparity between those that identified waste reduction with sustainability and those that opted for enacting circular economy principles, suggests a lack of knowledge of the term “circular economy” and its relation to reducing waste. It reinforces the idea that much of the jargon around sustainability isn’t widely known- this is an stumbling block that many members have noted as a barrier to feeling confident in adapting sustainability strategies.” 

Staff engagement with sustainability is on the rise. Whereas in 2021 21% of respondents stated that “team expertise or knowledge in the sustainability agenda” was a main barrier, only 9% reported likewise this year. Similarly, whilst 12% noted that “staff are not enthusiastic about sustainability” in 2021, only 8% chose that answer this year. Over half of firms surveyed (53%) reported prioritising suppliers who have strong sustainable and ethical practices, this is a positive progression from the 37% that reported likewise in 2021.

Mary Rose Burke noted that “It is positive to see that staff engagement in sustainability is on the rise, it counters the idea that lack of expertise equates to apathy, and highlights the importance of training programmes- such as Dublin Chamber’s Sustainability Academy- in turning interest into knowledge.”

The invasion of Ukraine and the continuing energy crisis have highlighted the importance of accelerating the switch to indigenous, renewable energy systems and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Nearly half (46%) of those surveyed reported that recent trends in energy costs, exacerbated by war in Ukraine, have prompted a change in their company’s energy usage, whilst 33% stated that it was too early to say. Yet just over half (55%) of organisations prioritise energy suppliers who produce energy from sustainable sources. 

Mary Rose Burke commented that this “highlights that in the context of high inflation, businesses are doing what they can to keep costs low. Often the more sustainable option is not the cheapest, and this is why the Chamber has called on numerous occasions for the supports available to businesses, particularly SMEs, to be expanded upon.”

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:  

**Pictures from the launch of this report will sent to picture desks by Jason Clarke @ 4pm, 6th October**

The full survey report can be found by clicking here.

More information on Dublin Chamber’s Sustainability Academy can be found here: https://www.dublinchamber.ie/Courses-Events/Dublin-Chamber-Academy/Sustainability-Academy 

Dublin Chamber is Ireland’s largest chamber of commerce with over 1,300 member companies. It is the most broadly-based business group in the Greater Dublin Area, providing representation and networking services. Its policy work focuses on developing the Dublin region’s infrastructure & transport, promoting competitiveness & sustainability, and improving local governance. Dublin Chamber is also one of the oldest chambers of commerce in the world, tracing its origins back to 1782. 

For further information please contact:

Órla Mannion | Senior Public Affairs Executive | Dublin Chamber | orla@dublinchamber.ie