Building an ESG culture with lessons from safety

‎‎‎For decades, companies have prioritised safety, meticulously constructing robust cultures where procedures are paramount, risks are identified and mitigated, and employee wellbeing takes centre stage. From high-risk industries like mining to the seemingly mundane office environment, organisations have learned that cultivating a safety culture isn't just about ticking boxes and compliance; it's about embedding safety into daily operations and individual mindsets.

As the pressure to address pressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns intensifies, a question emerges: can the proven techniques used to build safety cultures become the blueprint for cultivating robust ESG cultures? The answer is a resounding yes, and companies that embrace this connection stand to unlock profound benefits for their employees, the planet and their bottom line.

Here's why the parallels between safety and ESG culture development are so powerful.

Shared foundation: risk management and proactive action

At its core, both safety and ESG cultures are rooted in risk management. In the safety realm, risks are identified and mitigated to prevent accidents and injuries. Similarly, an ESG culture focuses on assessing and addressing environmental, social and governance risks, proactively preventing harm to the planet, stakeholders and the company. This shared foundation of risk management necessitates a proactive approach, one where anticipating and mitigating potential pitfalls becomes routine, not reactive.

Leadership commitment and visible action

Just as visible leadership engagement is crucial for safety cultures, it's essential for nurturing an ESG culture. Leaders must champion ESG values, integrate ESG into strategic decisions, and actively demonstrate their commitment through concrete actions. This could involve participating in community clean-up drives, attending diversity and inclusion workshops, or setting ambitious targets for carbon reduction. When leaders visibly walk the talk, they send a powerful message that ESG is not just a box to tick but a core principle guiding the company's journey.

Empowering employees and encouraging open communication

A strong safety culture thrives on empowered employees who actively participate in hazard identification, report issues and hold each other accountable. Similarly, an ESG culture flourishes when employees feel empowered to raise concerns about environmental practices, social injustice or unethical behaviour. Fostering open communication channels, providing avenues for feedback and encouraging employee participation in ESG initiatives are crucial to building a culture where everyone feels responsible for collective progress.

Continuous learning and improvement

Just as safety procedures require regular updates and training, an ESG culture demands continuous learning and improvement. Staying abreast of evolving ESG regulations, best practices and emerging technologies is vital. Conducting regular company-wide ESG audits, providing training on relevant topics, and encouraging the sharing of best practices ensure that the company remains on the cutting edge of responsible practices.

Celebrating successes and recognising contributions

Acknowledging and celebrating safety achievements reinforces positive behaviours and strengthens the safety culture. Similarly, publicly recognising and celebrating successes in ESG initiatives boosts employee morale, fosters a sense of community and motivates further action. Highlighting individuals or teams who champion ESG values sends a powerful message that these actions are not just expected but actively valued and rewarded.

ESG-specific challenges 

However, despite the similarities, building an ESG culture presents unique challenges compared to safety, including:

• greater complexity – ESG encompasses a much broader range of issues than safety, making it more complex to define, measure and implement

• external dependence – environmental and social impacts often extend beyond the company's direct control, requiring collaboration with stakeholders and engagement with broader systemic issues

• long-term focus – while safety improvements often yield immediate benefits, the true impact of ESG initiatives may take years – even decades – to fully materialise, requiring sustained commitment and long-term vision from leadership.

These challenges necessitate a broader and more nuanced approach to ESG culture development. Companies must:

• develop a clear ESG vision and set specific, measurable goals – unlike safety, which often focuses on avoiding harm, ESG involves creating positive impacts, so it is essential to articulate a clear vision for the company's role in addressing environmental and social challenges to provide direction and motivate employees

• integrate ESG into existing company culture – rather than treating ESG as a separate add-on, weave it into existing company values, performance appraisals and decision-making processes to ensure that ESG considerations become an inherent part of how the company operates

• collaborate with stakeholders – building strong partnerships with stakeholders (including NGOs and community organisations to suppliers and customers) leverages diverse expertise and creates a broader ecosystem for collective impact, which is crucial for tackling complex ESG challenges.

The time has come for companies to expand their focus beyond hard hats and safety checklists. Building a robust ESG culture, informed by the proven principles of safety culture development, can unlock a future where environmental sustainability, social responsibilityand good governance become fundamental tenets of every organisation. By embracing this broader vision, companies can not only mitigate risks and enhance their reputation but also attract and retain talent, unlock innovative solutions and create a new world of sustainability.