Like their for-profit counterparts, many nonprofits are working to reduce their own carbon footprints and promote sustainability. While reducing unnecessary waste has become an important goal for nonprofits, the focus on other obligations like funding and determining how to best leverage limited resources often takes precedence over sustainability.
Fortunately, making even minor changes can be an effective way to bring a business’s operations into alignment with large sustainability goals. To help nonprofits on a budget prioritize sustainability, 11 Forbes Nonprofit Council members each share one cost-effective, impactful way a leader can ensure their organization’s operations are in line with global sustainability efforts.
1. Make A Commitment
A true commitment is a start. Make sure sustainability is reflected in your values and your strategic plan. For example, consider a virtual meeting rather than one requiring a lot of travel. If you do travel, consider offsets. Search for sustainability-oriented vendors for your supplies. Order food for your meetings from sustainable farms and producers. These may be small steps, but they add up. – Magdalena Nowicka Mook, ICF (International Coaching Federation)
2. Implement Ways To Monitor Waste
Measure what matters. We include a metric in our strategic plan to reduce and monitor waste, which includes reducing utility expenses. To this end, we upgraded to LED lights and timers that shut off the lights when the room or building is unoccupied. Not only does this small step reduce the carbon footprint, it also saves the organization money by eliminating the wasteful use of electricity. – Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
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3. Prioritize Locally Sourced Food
One often overlooked opportunity for achieving sustainability goals is food purchases. According to the Environmental Working Group, a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions could be the product of animal agriculture and animal feed production by 2050. One way to reduce these emissions is by adopting a policy to prioritize the purchasing of locally sourced, plant-based foods. – Andrea Joy Albrecht, Mercy For Animals
4. Close The Loop
Activate a closed loop at the office. Ask yourself questions like, “Are we generating renewable energy to power the office?” and “Are we charging vehicles and appliances with self-generated energy?” You can then take it further by considering how you could enable carbon reduction through your supporters. Are there ways for you to increase sustainability performance in the communities in which you serve? – Jonathan Prosser, Compassion UK
5. Reduce Nonessential Traveling
Given the immense amount of carbon and greenhouse gasses that get emitted during flying, it is essential for nonprofits, especially international ones, to ensure that their trips are essential and as long as possible to decrease the frequency of travel. Additionally, nonprofits should align with emerging carbon credit markets and take advantage of climate-based finance opportunities currently available. – Bruce Maj Pelz, Maji Safi Group
6. Hire A Sustainability Team
Recruit to form an internal sustainability team or task force to evaluate the quick and easy opportunities. This is also a way to engage your team in being part of the solution. Be sure to have a diverse team at every level of the organization so you can capture a wide range of perspectives and be the most impactful. – Nicole Suydam, Goodwill of Orange County
7. Move To Digital Records
Transitioning paper archival processes to primarily digital ones enhances global sustainability efforts. Many digital systems are available for retaining required legal, financial and regulatory documents as well as an organization’s historical archives. This also reduces administrative expenses, which is especially important for national nonprofits and other very large organizations. – Shari O’Loughlin, The Compassionate Friends
8. Eliminate The Use Of Business Cards
We have eliminated business cards in our organization and instead use digital business cards. Our pockets are not only lighter during conferences, but we also have a record of who we chatted with and the ability to email them right away. Using the service HiHello has also meant we can be consistent in our brand and presentation. – Erin Mote, InnovateEDU
9. Examine How Events Currently Operate
Think about your events. Fundraising galas often create a lot of waste, involve a lot of transportation and driving and use many single-use items. Consider using sustainable dinnerware, hosting the event near public transportation and reflecting on the environmental impact of the swag or giveaways you have. As budgets allow, think about food and how you will source it at the event as well. This all can save you money, too. – Matthew Gayer, Spur Local
10. Consider A Shift To Remote Work
In our case, the decision to move to a fully distributed workforce was the most significant and strategic move we’ve made to reduce our overall carbon footprint and support global sustainability. According to a recent study published in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” (PNAS), fully remote workers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 58% compared to onsite workers. – Michael Horowitz, The Community Solution Education System
11. Implement Online And Electronic Processes
Increasing the use of online and electronic methods to accept donations, thereby decreasing paper checks and pledge cards, will reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, moving to online platforms to manage payroll and process invoices will do the same. These simple adjustments will allow you to promote a healthy, sustainable organization while you increase your operational efficiency. It’s a win-win. – Victoria Burkhart, The More Than Giving Company
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