The role of business in creating a more sustainable planet

“More than 75% of Millennials consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work. This trend is even greater with Gen Z,” says John Hagan, President, Manomet.   “Manomet believes that the for-profit sector is the key to a more sustainable 21st century and it’s clear to us that the next generation shares this belief.”

Our work with the for-profit sector—from the timber industry to commercial fisheries to small businesses—is rooted in the idea that in order to solve the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges we face, we need everyone to participate to scale impact on a global level. Conserving birds comes both from scientific research as well as trusting relationships with commercial and private landowners whose millions of acres of forests, coastland, and grassland hold valuable habitat when managed effectively. Clean air and water is made accessible through good forest management and private land-owners are key to this management. We can only slow and eventually reverse the impacts of climate change when businesses adopt sustainable practices and cut back on waste.

Working with the for-profit sector allows us to effect much greater change than research alone, and has led to an overall exciting and positive impact on our mission in action. What’s even more exciting? The next generation vehemently agrees.

As young adults begin to enter the workforce and consider the type of place they hope to work for, many feel that sustainability is too important of an issue to ignore when researching potential employers. For businesses aiming to recruit Millennials and Gen Z’s, changing their hiring strategy to reflect the values of their target demographic could be the best way to attract new hires and contribute to more sustainable world.

On May 14, Manomet will host a multi-faceted sustainability forum at Boston’s Federal Reserve Plaza to help businesses recognize how their sustainability values and mission can attract and retain new talent. “Win the War for Talent: Is Sustainability What’s Missing from Your Hiring Strategy?” will include sessions to educate, inspire, and spark conversation around getting businesses up-to-speed with the values the next generation requires their employers to integrate in their operations.

The program will feature Nancy Stager and Penny Billington Hunt of Eastern Bank; Elzan Godlewski, State Street Corporation; Lane Jost from PwC; and our keynote speaker Justin Kang, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

“Doing good things to help people prosper is the foundation for everything we do at Eastern and that mission aligns well with what Millennials and Gen Z are looking for in prospective employers,” says Nancy Stager, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Charitable Giving at Eastern Bank. “We have a long history of creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and supporting our employees and the communities we’re part of. This has helped us to keep our employees happy and engaged, and has attracted others to our organization. Eastern is excited to be a part of this event.”

Supporters of this event include Eastern Bank, State Street Corporation, Mintz, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Chimento & Webb, the Climate Action Business Association, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, and Get Konnected!