It’s time for a GreenShift

Cutout image of a baby plant sprouting from soil.
Americans’ climate change concerns are at record levels. And increasingly, they expect action—from the government, their employers, and each other. While it will take all three to address the climate crisis, American companies have a remarkable opportunity to lead in building the critical mass of people taking meaningful climate action.

Rare’s GreenShift initiative undertook research on how to engage effectively employees around climate-positive actions. We distilled the findings into the following materials that offer employers and employees guidance on developing an internal program that will positively impact the climate and culture of sustainability in the United States. These suggestions are designed to help companies tailor-fit a program to their unique culture, environment, and business practices. Our research employed the best practices from behavioral science, digital marketing, and employee engagement to motivate employees to take small individual actions that have a big collective impact.

Download the toolkit

Make a GreenShift


Who is GreenShift for?

If you’re part of a corporate sustainability team, this program is designed for you and your workplace. But the included tools and resources could work just as well for a neighborhood or faith-based community or any group interested in working together to improve their carbon footprint.

Why use a formal sustainability program?

Your organization may already have a sustainability program, as well as initiatives focused on improving employee engagement. But it’s amazing what can happen when efforts are combined and infused with a proven, behavior science-backed structure. GreenShift offers simple ways to step up your impact on employee satisfaction and sustainability.

How to use GreenShift

Whether it’s inspiration or simplification you’re looking for, it’s all here.

  • Strengthen what you’ve got: Already have an employee sustainability program in place? No need to reinvent the wheel. Incorporate our tips and behavior change levers to build upon what you’ve got, supplementing or refining your program so it’s even more robust and impactful.
  • Put it all together: Starting from scratch, or from a place with disconnected initiatives and efforts? Get organized with our behavior science-based structure and foundational tips to develop a truly targeted and engaging program for all involved.

Download the toolkit

Take small steps with big impacts

GreenShift’s research focused on the three areas where individuals have the greatest direct impact on the environment – food, energy, and travel. Learn more about how personal actions in these three areas impact climate change, and small changes that can have big collective impact. We’ve developed this information for you to use and share. Feel free to incorporate bits and pieces into your program or send your team directly to these action pages!

Food

Reduce your food waste and eat a plant rich diet

Transportation

Look to electric vehicles, or better yet, look beyond your car

Energy

Power your house with clean and sustainable energy sources

Why focus on Food, Transportation, and Energy?

For most Americans, these are the three area of our lives that most contribute to carbon emissions. These are also three areas where we can make simple and impactful changes.


Learn more and stay up-to-date on the latest in behavioral science at Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment (Be.Center).