How can I encourage my colleagues to be greener?
Promoting behaviour change among colleagues can be difficult, but there are ways to bring people on side, Abi Rimmer hears Samantha Holmes, former BMJ sustainability fellow, says, “Attempting to encourage your colleagues to ‘be more green’ can feel like a daunting task. As healthcare professionals, we work in busy clinical settings with plenty of demands on our time, energy, and brain power. Tackling sustainability in the workplace can feel like yet another task for your own list, let alone trying to convince your colleagues to do the same. “You may wonder whether your green credentials will be up for scrutiny, or whether you’ll have enough authority to ask your colleagues to change something about the way they practise or deliver healthcare. You may feel concerned that you’ll be faced with a hostile or unreceptive audience. But there are ways of encouraging behaviour change that don’t require a direct approach, and, depending on your colleagues, may be more effective. “The only thing