In recent years many organisations have focused on environmental sustainability in an effort to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. However, some have been accused of greenwashing with claims their policies might be more about creative marketing rather than any real effort to save the planet!
One of the biggest barriers to ‘going green’ is that some business leaders perceive environmental efforts as being too costly. In fact, helping the environment and your bottom line needn’t be mutually exclusive.
A great example of this are learning management systems (LMS) that organisations use to administer, distribute and track learning programmes online across multiple locations and audiences. Making previously complex L&D programmes more efficient and cost effective.
So if your training programmes are still paper-based or fully face-to-face, below are 5 reasons to go green with online learning today:
1. Reduce CO2 emissions
For organisations with multiple sites, perhaps scattered across the country conducting face-to-face training can involve some serious business miles. Mobile trainers need company cars and company cars need fuel. Conventional face-to-face training may also involve learners travelling from multiple locations which all adds up to a sizable environmental impact. An Open University study calculated that online learning consumes an average of 85% less CO2 emissions than conventional face-to-face training.
An LMS system allows you to deliver training remotely. No trainers zooming up the motorways and no need for learners to travel beyond their usual base.
2. Cut the junk
We’ve all attended training sessions where you go along with a notepad and paper only to discover that the training team have also kindly provided paper along with the training booklets and plastic pens scattered across each table. There may even be a stack of plastic throwaway cups and don’t forget the paper feedback forms and plastic bags provided for you to carry away your newfound clutter at the end! For online learning, you need a computer, tablet or smartphone. Nothing more!
3. Attract more customers
Companies making the switch to online or blended learning will be making a positive environmental impact and shouldn’t be backwards in shouting about it!
For example, it should be possible to calculate how many business miles are being saved without the need for travel. People are more likely to trust hard facts rather than vague promises to ‘go green’ and research consistently shows that people are more likely to buy from ethical businesses.
4. Be a leader
We humans tend to have a herd mentality. Our own behaviours are shaped by those of friends, peers and society at large. When organisations start to behave in a more ethical way, others follow. Go back 20 years and few organisations were touting their environmental credentials. Now few can afford not to. When you establish an eco-friendly online training programme you encourage other organisations to do the same.
5. Comply with the law
For many organisations reducing environmental impacts isn’t just an aim, it’s a legal requirement.
For example, EU regulations mean European auto manufacturers have legal requirements to cut the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. There are also a myriad of different laws around everything from waste management to air and noise pollution that didn’t exist a few decades ago. Laws will only get tougher so switching to e-learning is one way to get ahead of the pack!
Discover how your organisation could save money and time with online learning, while doing your bit for the environment. Take advantage of our free comprehensive LMS guides!
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