Global HR’s Green Opportunity: How Mobility Can Trigger Positive Change
This article by Jesper Lovendahl, CEO & Founder of ExpatRide, Pavla Skorpilova, Sustainability Manager at ExpatRide, and Helena Christensen, Sustainability Coordinator at ExpatRide is based on their White Paper "Global HR’s Green Opportunity: Using Global Mobility to Drive Environmental Change," which explores the great potential the global mobility industry has in contributing to a more sustainable future.
The Global Mobility industry is undeniably carbon intensive by its nature, however, relocating an employee and their families can be more sustainable than not relocating them provided the necessary support is in place. We need to take a more holistic approach, seeing relocation as more than just the logistics of the move. It should be viewed as a complete journey—encompassing preparation before the move, the relocation itself, settling into the new environment, and eventual repatriation. Relocating talent and their families worldwide can become sustainable by embedding ESG goals into policies, providing assignees with proper support and training, and rethinking the entire relocation process.
GLOBAL MOBILITY HAS HUGE POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION – SO, WHAT IF WE STARTED TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT?
Professor of Psychology, Bas Verplanken has studied extensively how behaviors are shaped. His research reveals that habits, more than conscious decisions, drive our daily actions. He also found that one of the most effective ways to break old habits is during a major life event. In such events, like a career change or relocation, the circumstances are completely changed, and routines are disrupted. This offers a rare opportunity to establish new, sustainable behaviors. Rather than relying on individuals to choose the most sustainable options and working on changing attitudes, companies should leverage this moment of change to reshape the way assignees live and work, ultimately benefiting both the business and the planet.
Habit Discontinuity Effect: How Relocation Influences Sustainable Choices
Professor Verplanken and his team studied 800 households in the UK, 400 that had recently relocated and 400 that had not. Their findings revealed that the households that had recently relocated were more likely to adopt new sustainable behaviors. The change in environment disrupted their deeply ingrained habits and made them more open to learning and adopting new sustainable practices.
For Global Mobility professionals, this presents a key opportunity to guide assignees toward more sustainable practices. Since relocation extends beyond the move itself and includes the entire assignment, calculating Scope 3 emissions must similarly be assessed holistically. This research is groundbreaking for the industry, highlighting how supporting sustainable habits can simultaneously help companies meet ESG goals and benefit the planet.
THREE KEY STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF RELOCATION
By adopting three key strategies, Global Mobility professionals can guide assignees toward more sustainable choices, benefiting both the organization and the planet.
 | 1. Integrate ESG Goals into Policies |
It is crucial to integrate ESG goals into relocation policies. This ensures that companies not only minimize their environmental impact but also align their global mobility policies with their broader business strategies. Organizations that embed sustainability into every facet of an assignment can transition from mere compliance to being a sustainable industry leader. Not only does it enhance the reputation of the company, but they can also gain better oversight in tracking and reducing Scope 3 emissions.
 | 2. Offer Sustainability Training and Ongoing Support |
Sustainability training is essential to ensuring assignees understand the importance of making sustainable choices and recognizing the impact they can have. Supporting assignees throughout the whole assignment can ensure lasting behavioral changes.
By empowering assignees to take ownership of sustainability efforts, they become more committed, which fosters long-term engagement and commitment. By integrating sustainability into the relocation program, it becomes easier for assignees to adopt sustainable behaviors without needing to apply extra effort.
 | 3. Provide Relocation Support to Enable Sustainable Choices |
The real impact for sustainability happens while the employee is on assignment, not just during the move. Relocation management companies (RMCs) are in a unique position to bridge the gap between policy and action and can make sustainable choices easy and accessible from day one, ensuring that sustainability is embedded into every step of the assignment. By leveraging their global network of vetted suppliers, RMCs can ensure that sustainability is not just an option, it’s the default.
For example, the relocation partner can leverage its supplier network to provide sustainable housing, eco-friendly moving services, and electric vehicle rental options. By integrating these options into the relocation package, sustainable choices become the most practical and convenient option, which increases the probability that assignees will adopt and maintain them throughout their assignment. By guiding assignees toward more sustainable choices, businesses can significantly cut Scope 3 emissions without disrupting productivity. RMCs excel at these transitions, making it easier for businesses to embed sustainability into their relocation programs. Partnering with an experienced RMC like Sirva ensures that assignees receive the right support, expert guidance, and practical solutions to make sustainable choices effortlessly.
Lump Sum Relocation Policies Hinder Sustainability Goals
At first glance, lump sum relocation policies may seem flexible and cost effective, but they often hinder sustainability efforts. By placing the burden of decision making on the assignee, they may invest considerable time in the process, often opting for convenient and cost-effective choices over environmentally responsible ones. This approach makes it harder for the company to influence decisions, ultimately resulting in a loss of control over Scope 3 emissions and making it more difficult to meet ESG objectives.
In contrast, a more structured relocation policy or pre-approved green relocation package can better support assignees, align with your organization’s sustainability goals, and enhance the overall relocation experience, once again, benefiting employees, the company, and the environment.
THE POTENTIAL OF RELOCATION TO GUIDE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES
Relocation undeniably has an initial environmental cost, particularly in terms of travel and logistics. However, when approached strategically and holistically, relocation can break old habits and facilitate new, long-term sustainable practices. Take, for example, an employee moving to a city with excellent public transportation options who chooses to embrace a car-free lifestyle. Over time, the reduction in daily commuting could offset the initial carbon footprint of the move. Similarly, an employee relocating to an area without public transport might choose an electric vehicle over a petrol-powered car, potentially saving more CO2 over the course of their assignment than the move initially emitted.
When sustainability is incorporated into policies and assignees are supported during their entire relocation, these sustainable habits are more likely to endure beyond repatriation, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends throughout the company and community.
Relocation is more than just moving to another country—it is a transformative life event that disrupts established habits and creates an opportunity for change. The shift offers the Global Mobility industry a unique opportunity to guide and reinforce sustainable choices. By leveraging the moment, the industry can play a crucial role in helping companies achieve their ESG goals and make a meaningful, lasting impact on the environment.
For those interested in a deeper dive into ExpatRide’s comprehensive white paper, please read the full version here and join us on our journey toward a more sustainable future. And for more information on how Sirva is helping organizations navigate the journeys of their mobility programs to sustainability, please email us at concierge@sirva.com or reach out to your Sirva representative.
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