Today, we consistently hear that an organization’s stance on social and environmental issues plays a significant role in a person’s decision to work there. Recent surveys found that 88 percent of business school students think that learning about social and environmental issues in business is a priority, and 67 percent want to incorporate environmental sustainability into their future jobs. Many want their company’s mission to go beyond profitability, encompassing benefits to the wider community on social, environmental and economic extents. Employees are eager to work for companies where they feel they can make a difference.

Sustainability efforts can result in a positive impact on business performance. For instance, if you fully engage employees in work that feels meaningful they will take pride in their job and the organization they work for. Additionally, the benefits of employee engagement are wide-ranging for companies that want to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce. They not only have the capacity to increase profitability but also can instill brand loyalty and trust. Which will contribute to an improved reputation with customers as well.

“The key to creating a vibrant and sustainable company is to find ways to get all employees, from the top executives to assembly line workers, personally engaged in day-to-day corporate sustainability efforts.” Paul Polman, Unilever’s CEO, wrote in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

On the whole, this approach to combine sustainability initiatives and employee engagement can create a culture that has a positive impact on the organization, employees, and for the communities they live in. As conversations around climate change and sustainability continue, there is a need to recognize that sustainability is a significant tool to recruit, retain, inspire and motivate employees.