What is the ecoWheel?
The ecoWheel framework can be used by any type of organisation to develop and implement a sustainability strategy. The power of the ecoWheel framework lies in its simplicity and its ability to visually communicate a shared sustainability vision.
The ecoWheel framework was created based on research and consulting experience in New Zealand industry. In general terms, companies struggle to effectively engage staff and create momentum in their sustainability and environmental management programmes. There is often a focus on paperwork and ‘ticking the boxes’ of standards such as ISO 14001. While it is important to meet the requirements of international standards, the focus should not be on compliance and bureaucracy, rather it should be about facilitating an effective organisational culture and infrastructure for collaborative learning and improvement for sustainability.
The ecoWheel framework takes into account the challenges companies typically face on their sustainability journey. The framework involves three phases which progressively take an organisation on a journey from a defensive approach to an integrated sustainability maturity level.
This white paper is broken down into three sections which align with the three elements of the ecoWheel framework: Baseline, Strategising and Integrating. Each element of the framework introduces specific tools and solutions to overcome the challenges that organisations face at the respective maturity level.
Most organisations still have a defensive approach to sustainability and environmental management. This means that they will only implement improvement initiatives when either their customers force them to, or if they are required to by law. Companies with this approach are often unconvinced of the commercial benefits of sustainability or too busy with day-to-day operational business problems to be in a position to implement improvement initiatives. The latter situation is particularly typical of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). The ecoWheel Baseline framework introduces a set of strategic business tools which will help organisations identify their areas of environmental impact, understand their key stakeholders, prioritise sustainability initiatives and realise the financial benefits of improved performance. In implementing the Baseline element of the ecoWheel framework, organisations can gain the support of senior management – a critical success factor often lacking in organisations with a defensive maturity level.
Many organisations are starting to see the benefits of sustainability and are making real and concerted efforts to reduce their environmental impact. These organisations can be said to have a Proactive sustainability maturity level. Organisations in this maturity level often struggle to embed a systematic and effective infrastructure to implement their sustainability strategy. There is often a focus on one sustainability issue (such as emissions reductions), while neglecting other important areas of concern. The ecoWheel Strategising Framework introduces a strategic visualisation tool to develop and communicate a holistic sustainability strategy. The ecoWheel Strategising Framework is customised for each individual organisation to create improvement programmes with objective-based roadmaps in the areas applicable to its specific industry and situation. The ecoWheel Strategising Framework can also be used to facilitate the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS).
More and more organisations are in a position where they are actively managing their environmental and sustainability risks. These organisations can be said to be at a Managed level of sustainability maturity. However, very few organisations can claim that they have a culture for sustainability and environmental management which is integrated into all aspects of their activities. To reach an Integrated level of sustainability maturity, staff and management need to understand and embed sustainability principles into their day-to-day jobs. The ecoWheel Integrating Framework introduces a cloud-based infrastructure to manage sustainability. The ecoPortal enables staff to operationalise their sustainability strategy, effectively collaborate to achieve objectives and targets and disseminate and share their successes.
The ecoWheel Framework is being implemented in organisations in a range of industries around the world through the ecoPortal Adviser network.
How was the ecoWheel conceived?
During my PhD research and consulting experience I identified a range of barriers that organisations typically face which limit their ability to implement effective sustainability strategies and environmental management systems. These barriers include (but are certainly not limited to):
- Limited resources for environmental improvement
- Lack of buy in from key stakeholders
- One person responsible for ‘the environment’ in the company
- Lack of knowledge and experience with environmental issues
- Short term focus on individual issues without considering the overall impacts of the organisation
Based on a clear understanding of the challenges or companies 6 principles for effective sustainability management were conceived:
- Be holistic – include all aspects of your organisation
- Pick the low hanging fruit – be systematic and create momentum
- Be inclusive – delegate responsibility for each sustainability issue to its main stakeholders
- Manage projects – treat each objective as a project and break it down into manageable targets
- Be transparent – communicate with all stakeholders regularly and provide them with access to all the information
- Tell everyone – communicate your objectives and targets to your stakeholders
The ecoWheel was conceived and tested in a range of case companies to facilitate the development of a shared understanding for the sustainability strategy of the organisation.
