On Earth Day — and every day — organizations like Kyndryl are tapping into technology to achieve their sustainability goals. But businesses are also focusing on another powerful force to increase environmental awareness: their employees.

Each individual has a role to play in sustainability success. And employees are among the top advocates for sustainability policies and practices, according to the Global Sustainability Barometer study.

By prioritizing environmental education and engagement efforts, companies can create a workplace culture that encourages employees to embody the spirit of Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, throughout the year.

Here, five Kyndryl employees from around the globe share why they’re inspired to contribute to a greener future. 

Planting the seed

I joined Kyndryl’s Green Guild, an employee network designed to develop sustainability skills, to understand Kyndryl’s sustainability strategy and offerings because I needed to prepare for a roundtable as an advisor on the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Women in Cloud. Since then, I’ve participated in Green Guild activities as a member and continued to learn from the Guild. I use my knowledge to help customers consider their environmental impact now, so they can benefit in the long run.

Branching out

There are small things we all can do — we just have to make them a habit. At work, I try to use technology more intentionally to save energy. As an example, I’ll turn off my video in meetings when it is not required and I monitor my email storage for attachments. My family and I also monitor our energy consumption at home, and we try to make a new change every year that reduces our footprint.

 Growing impact

I’m trying to do as much as I can on my own and share my knowledge with others, including our customers. Organizations are increasingly interested in how they can become more sustainable — and that is a positive sign.

Planting the seed

I like to work with my hands and see results, so I participated in a volunteer beach clean-up as part of the Seastainability program in Portugal. We collected plastics along the shore as program leaders talked about environmental challenges, including the prevalence of microplastics in the ocean. It was a great way to connect with dozens of colleagues and learn something new.

Branching out

My family was biking by the beach one day when we saw piles of litter. We realized we didn’t need someone to organize an event to make a difference. So, on the weekends, we grab our garbage bags and gloves and get to work.

Growing impact

I like to feel that I’m doing something good for others — and I like meeting people who feel the same. Participating in environmental programs is a great way to do both.

Planting the seed

As soon as I heard about the Carbon Literacy program, I was eager to start. I studied biology in college and care about sustainability, but, through the program, I learned more about greenhouse gas emissions and what needs to happen for us to make significant reductions.

Branching out

Participating in Carbon Literacy gave me a jumpstart on designing projects at Kyndryl to reduce waste and energy use. I’ve led an effort to increase awareness about reducing emissions during business travel, which impacts our Scope 3 emissions, as well as a project to reduce energy consumption on-site here in Costa Rica. Personally, I limit my driving, I compost, I try to reduce my trash. I’m more aware of the emissions I generate and how I can cut back.

Growing impact

If I don’t do something, then who will? What I can do is my best. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. I want future generations to be able to appreciate nature the same way I can now.

Planting the seed

I’ve always been interested in the outdoors, and spending time in nature is how I recharge. The catch is, the more I learn about environmental challenges, the more sobering all the work ahead seems. The Green Guild has been a source of inspiration. I’ve learned from leaders across the business and have become more vocal and innovative in my own thinking. Bringing so many smart people together has illuminated different ways to solve these challenges.

Branching out

My personal carbon footprint is carefully managed — I’ve also participated in a Carbon Literacy course and made my carbon reduction pledge. But I’m largely focused on solving customers’ business challenges and helping them connect how they can drive revenue and reduce emissions and waste to make a positive environmental impact — a win-win-win situation. Having these conversations is one of my favorite things about my job.

Growing impact

I want us all to be bolder. If our company can play a role in spreading sustainability, which I think we can, and if I can play a role in that effort to make a difference, then I’ve done my part.

Planting the seed

We have a passionate team here in Poland and they care deeply about the impact we have on society. They created Eco Stream, a grassroots employee program focused on encouraging sustainability in our everyday lives. The program leaders have brought in guest speakers and organized volunteering opportunities. And now the program is in dozens of countries.

Branching out

The group challenged me as a leader to make our workplace more sustainable. One idea was to create a plastic-free bottle policy for official meetings, which we’ve put into effect. We also have a tree planting initiative and even have some trees planted by our senior leaders at our Wroclaw campus. It’s becoming a tradition. Personally, I’ve installed solar panels and have enjoyed following the environmental math: the yearly outcome from the panels is equivalent to planting 323 trees.

Growing impact

The Eco Stream team is so passionate that their spirit is contagious. I want our employees to feel like they’re part of an inclusive environment, and part of that is respecting the value that they — and I — recognize in environmental engagement.