Sustainability Month

We recently celebrated Sustainability Month with a series of activities, insights and challenges centred around four key sustainability themes. By shining a spotlight on a different topic each week, we encouraged colleagues to learn something new, share ideas and take practical steps towards a more sustainable future.

Week 1: Nature and Wildlife

We kicked off the month with Nature and Wildlife week, which focused on understanding, appreciating, and protecting the natural environment around us. The week began with an engaging lunch-and-learn session hosted by Manx Wildlife Trust, offering valuable insight into the importance of nature and the role it plays in our daily lives.

We were also treated to a fascinating talk by our very own Dave Taylor about all things bees. Dave is an avid beekeeper and came equipped with some interesting beekeeping equipment and a wealth of knowledge and experience. He even brought along some of his 100% pure Manx honey for us to enjoy. His session proved so popular that he returned later in the month for a second talk.

Throughout the week there were also some great activities to get involved with. The Nature Recovery Questionnaire, developed by Biosphere Isle of Man, encouraged us to assess the wildlife value of our land, gardens, and local green spaces, helping us to identify opportunities to support biodiversity. Dave Taylor achieved the highest score and was crowned our Most Nature Positive colleague.

We also launched a nature photography competition, with colleagues across our offices sharing stunning images of local beaches, countryside, and wildlife. The competition was won by Cal Butler, whose beautiful photograph of a kingfisher received the highest number of votes in our staff poll.

Week 2: Energy and Emissions

The second week focused on energy and emissions, featuring the launch of two engaging challenges. The “Guess the Wattage” quiz, won by Keyaam Hendricks, had colleagues estimating the energy consumption of a variety of household appliances. Participants also used the WWF Footprint Calculator to measure their carbon footprint, with Jill Harrison achieving the best score.

Week 3: Community and Wellbeing

Week 3 was packed with activities and discussions focused on community and wellbeing.

We were led through a mindfulness session by Mike Kewley, who introduced the concept of “The Art of Self-Mastery”. The session explored the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, helping us better understand our emotions and use that insight to make more conscious choices in how we think, act, and respond to different situations.

We also enjoyed an excellent nutrition session from Steve Hinds, who shared practical advice on fuelling both our bodies and minds. This was followed by an informative presentation from our own Sean Mills on financial wellbeing and the importance of building healthy financial habits.

Our activity for the week was the Strava step challenge. Congratulations to Kevin McKay, who claimed the victory after logging an incredible 125 miles throughout the month.

Week 4: Recycling and Waste

For the final week of Sustainability Month, we turned our attention to recycling and waste. The focus was on waste management, recycling practices, and how small changes can make a meaningful difference.

This week also featured a bonus session from our own Cal Bulter, who delivered an engaging talk about birds and local wildlife.

Sustainability Champion

To round off a fantastic month, we were delighted to announce the winner of our coveted Sustainability Champion Award. This award recognises the colleague who demonstrated outstanding commitment throughout the month by attending sessions, participating in activities, and fully embracing the spirit of Sustainability month.

Congratulations to Jenn Attridge-Castles on being named our Sustainability Champion!

Finally, congratulations to all of our competition winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who organised, presented, and participated in our Sustainability Month activities.

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Disclaimer: The views, thoughts and opinions expressed within this article are those of the authors and not those of any company within the Capital International Group (CIG) and as such are neither given nor endorsed by CIG. Information in this article does not constitute investment advice or an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of any company within the Capital International Group of companies to buy or sell any product or security or to make a bank deposit.