Empowering change for Net Zero success: Q&A with Fiona Harvey

At Amber, we know that the journey to Net Zero is as much about people as it is about technology and systems. We caught up with our Lead Net Zero Consultant and resident employee engagement expert, Fiona Harvey, to learn more about empowering teams and creating lasting change.

What’s the difference between employee engagement and behaviour change?

Understanding the difference between employee engagement and changing behaviour is crucial for achieving Net Zero. Focusing and communicating a push for behaviour change can create negative feelings, pushing the onus on to employees and making them feel they are doing something wrong.

Engaging employees pulls that onus back on to the company to be engaging and create a culture that fosters passion and a sense of value, encouraging them to take meaningful steps towards change.

By promoting a fair and positive environment, businesses can inspire change and sustain momentum effectively.

Why employee engagement matters for Net Zero

Fiona highlights the critical role of staff engagement in sustainability: “Nobody knows their job and spaces better than the people in them, day in day out. They have the answers; they may need support gaining knowledge or implementing change, but your people are your greatest asset. It’s not just about cutting emissions; it’s about shifting attitudes and creating a culture of continuous improvement that spans every aspect of business operations.”

A holistic approach

Recognising that energy is just one piece of the sustainability puzzle, Fiona says: “Energy is just one space. There is an opportunity to engage a wide spectrum of different topics.” These include:

1. Energy: Reducing energy waste by empowering staff to adopt best practices.
2. Communication: Creating open dialogues that foster collaboration and innovation around sustainability goals.
3. Circular Economy: Encouraging sustainable consumption, waste reduction, and recycling practices across teams.
4. Travel: Promoting eco-friendly commuting, business travel alternatives, and efficient transport.
5. Nature: Reconnecting staff with nature to inspire a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship.
6. Innovation: Cultivating a culture where fresh ideas thrive and contribute to sustainability and Net Zero goals.
   

Keeping positivity and energy high

Net Zero can often feel like a long and difficult road. “Encouraging people’s passion and creating an open dialogue opens up a realm of possibility to help drive change within businesses,” says Fiona.

“It isn’t just about training employees once and moving on. It’s about creating an ongoing culture shift where people feel heard and therefore motivated to contribute, preventing fatigue and ensuring sustainability remains a priority.”

Fiona adds that “engaging employees in behaviour change helps maintain momentum”.

Integrating new employees and fresh ideas

Fiona also shares the unique opportunity team members bring from the start. She explains: “There is even more opportunity for success when integrating new employees with fresh eyes and ideas. If they enter an environment where the norm is to look for ways to make incremental improvements that are heard and valued by leadership, you create a culture that, over time, drives real innovation and change.”