Corporate Sustainability
As a global employer, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. Not only are we taking steps to reduce the impact on the planet (we're aiming to be carbon-neutral by the end of 2008), we're also doing our bit to promote green messages while reaching out to potential recruits.
Reducing our footprint
You may be reading about our career opportunities online but it's likely you'll come across our brochures and leaflets on campus at some point. Well, they're all printed on recycled paper (using a carbon-neutral printer), while our pens are made of recycled materials too. If you come to one of our events (and we hope you do), you won't be able to pick up handouts of the PowerPoint presentation - but fear not, it'll be delivered to you using mobile phone technology, all clean and carbon-free. And when we travel to your university, or when you come to us for interview, all the journeys will be carbon-offset by us.
Making environmentalism fun
What about our twice-yearly on-campus campaigns? Last autumn, we partnered with the charity Global Action Plan, touring universities with a 'Carbon Gym' that raises awareness of individual carbon footprints; at the events, students competed for the fastest speed on a 'virtual bike'. Then, in spring, we staged Roller Racing, with students racing on static bikes - needing no electricity for power, simply the energy generated by the cycling.
So we've integrated environmental education into our campaigns - and have enjoyed seeing students enjoy the learning process. We've also considered the 'freebies' we give away - and there's not a branded plastic bag in sight any more: attend one of our events and you're more likely to walk away with herb gardens, energy-efficient lightbulbs or muesli bars. Competition winners might typically receive a solar-powered mobile phone charger or even a mountain bike.
Spreading the message
We're also associated with some really exciting projects:
- At the beginning of 2009, PwC became a Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) corporate patron. Our membership will allow us to develop our environmental programme further by supporting WWT’s national network through our local offices. It also gives our staff an opportunity to support projects at WWT centres, to develop their team-building and leadership skills, as well as their understanding of the importance of the wetlands on climate change and ecosystems. Our involvement also provides us with the opportunity to link up with our local partner schools to work together on conservation projects at the centres.
- Realworld Graduate of the Year Competition - which acknowledges outstanding university students - PwC sponsors the category for students who've conducted corporate responsibility project; the top 100 entrants will be invited to a PwC-staged seminar, with expert guest speakers
- University of Cambridge Climate Summit - we're sponsoring the university's inaugural summit, 'Entrepreneurship for a Zero-Carbon Society', an event in September 2008 that brings together cutting-edge energy research with innovative businesses
These activities and initiatives are just some of the ways we're incorporating green initiatives into our recruitment activity. Why not find out about our wider corporate sustainability agenda?
