Green Decision Making : Think Green For today and for tomorrow

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Decisions make us what we become. Decisions also entail what businesses and societies become. From the minor to the major aspects of individual and social fabrics, the way we think and decide underlies the lives of people, animals, environment, and earth-at-large. However, the major focus in decision making has been largely tailored to evaluate individual (and sometimes group-level) utilities that cross-talked between psychology and economics – driving a lot of academic research and corporate stakes. There was a miss regarding how decisions can be seen more broadly, impacting not just ourselves, but the environment as a whole. We need a departure and a new focus on green decision making; as individuals, organizations, societies., and governments.

Green decision making necessitates a much-needed re-orientation. It requires seeing (most of) our decisions in light of impacts on the environment, and hence a different mindset. One can think of green decision making as choices that atleast considers, and at most, prioritizes (environmental) sustainability and well-being of earth-at-large. A broadening of our minds and also our businesses are a dire need, not a luxury any more, without which most of our targets might be difficult to reach locally and globally. It is a seamless mesh where individuals, corporations, and nation-states need to work in tandem with an appreciation for sustainability and the environment. All of us are stakeholders, today and for tomorrow. (Although a specific area, environmental decision making or broadly, environmental psychology was an exception which has been studying decisions that crosscut with the environment, we need a fundamental change in focus.)

The major part is to consider both short-term and long-term impacts of our decisions on the environment with a goal to minimize harm, factor in ecological impacts, and reduce resource consumption (along with a hope to replenish if feasible). These are guiding principles towards a sustainable future, that need a sustainable mindset – in consumption, business processes, and spaces we create. Many specific goals are being worked upon by people, organizations, and governments; like reducing carbon footprints, reducing water footprints, increasing conservation of green and blue spaces, alternative energy sources which are renewable, using eco-friendly materials and more. It is and will need to span individuals (consumer choices, habits, mindsets), businesses, organizations, and government policies. At the heart of such initiatives is our own thinking that will drive action. Hence, green thinking will be a major part of the puzzle towards a green planet. The foundational change is that decision making processes and human behavior need to be integrated and entailed with environmental considerations and not be seen as secondary or tertiary, as has largely been the case. 

Individuals

Green decision making could underlie a range of consumer and lifestyle choices. For example, in the domain of mobility, this would involve higher use of public transports, cycling to nearby spots, purchasing fuel efficient vehicles; in household and office electricity consumption, look for energy efficiency (star ratings in India), unplugging or shutting down devices when not in use, usage of energy efficient lighting (and also convince wherever possible so that others do the same); while consuming water, look for all ways to cut down consumption, insist on non-plastics in home and workplaces, purchasing water efficient consumer goods like washing machines, fixing leaks and turning taps off everywhere; thinking seriously about waste that would include waste segregation (and cleaning before disposing packs – especially with food or gravy), reuse – refurbish whatever is possible, never dispose waste in the open environment (especially plastics) and stop others from doing so, start composting if possible, avoid plastic and leather consumption, indulge in slow purchases – only what we need and when we need (some occasional quick buy is alright); and most importantly move towards mindful and sustainable consumption with going green on the mind.

Businesses and Organizations

Businesses can and need to play a major role both regarding their business operations and also for channeling consumer choices to some extent. Hence, processes need to prioritize environmental concerns but not as an additional aspect to business but rather as integrated to business processes, offerings, operations, and strategies; with a goal of positive impact towards the environment. One can take an additional step towards sustainable goals in general where the environment is an interconnected one along with many others. Some initiatives are already in place Corporate Social responsibility initiatives which can continue, but businesses can go beyond – by interconnecting goals to business processes. An integrated approach can go a long way, both for the world and also for the businesses because it can also offer financial benefits (at times), consider new offerings, increase brand reputation, and enhance value perception in a world where even youngsters are getting serious about sustainability. Some example areas are sustainable sourcing and packaging, energy-saving initiatives, efficient waste management, promotion and usage of eco-friendly products both internally and channel consumption (especially those in the service sector) among other potential green practices. 

Public sector organizations are the other key player who can leverage and act upon using a green mindset. In addition, social sector organizations (NGOs), civil societies, and even religious organizations amass large reach and can provide key inputs.

States and Governments 

Apart from green initiatives in operations, states can direct green thinking at scale. Starting with communication and commitments, governments can also necessitate reports (like those on sustainability, there could be specific green reports as mandatory in public and private sectors across all verticals from manufacturing to education to tourism and (IT) services) which trickle down to businesses and other organizations and then further down to individuals. The other aspect is creation of more green spaces or rather necessitating green space in public places and built organizational setups, given we know its favourable effects on both physical and mental health. Finally, the most important aspect is tailoring peoples and steering green thinking through policies. Governments are becoming aware, and some committed to going green and hope we see more of that trend. When behavioral science meets policy, with the core being thinking, other aspects follow.

Intersections that cross-cuts policy and behavior. The hope is everyone starts seeing the importance of green thinking (and gaps can be ironed out).

About Sumitava Mukherjee

Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi and initiator of Green Decision Lab.