Andrea Goertz, TELUS’ chief sustainability officer
Q&A with Andrea Goertz, TELUS' chief sustainability officer
Why is sustainability important?
Environmental issues around the world are a topic of concern. It's not enough that governments are stepping up to address this – businesses also have to take on leadership roles. Everyone has a responsibility to do what he or she can to drive more environmental accountability. At TELUS, we integrate sustainability into our decision making because we feel strongly that it is something that we need to be accountable for. It's an area in which we are demonstrating leadership and are striving to do more.
How does sustainability fit into TELUS' brand identity?
Our vision is to create a healthier, more sustainable future. We feel that we have a responsibility to current and future generations to integrate sustainability into our business practices. When we think of our "future-friendly" branding, we embed that across the organization, whether it's into customer service areas, product innovation, even in our buildings across the country. It reflects how seriously we take not only financial prosperity but also social wellbeing and environmental leadership.
What is the response to those efforts?
Increasingly, we see that people are making their decisions on whether they want to participate with companies on a variety of different aspects, including environmental sustainability. From customers and stakeholders, to current and potential employees, I think they are increasingly considering sustainability when they make their decisions. And from our shareholders' feedback, we know that investors are increasingly looking at sustainability as part of the criteria by which they evaluate our performance.
Has this focus found resonance within the organization?
Our team members are incredibly passionate about sustainability and have been very engaged in suggesting different activities that we should embark upon in our various locations, things like solar panels, lighting retrofits, waste diversion, shifting to a hybrid fleet, etc. Through our Work Styles Program, which we have pushed to great success over the last few years, we have team members working from home or on a mobile basis – this is another example of how we invest in sustainability.
How do buildings like TELUS Garden fit into that concept?
TELUS takes a balanced approach to business, considering social and environmental impacts along with economic outcomes. When you have an opportunity to display the strength of that message through a building such as TELUS Garden, it does send a signal to the community that we are truly dedicated to this sustainability vision. Most importantly, the work environment we are trying to create for tenants and team members is one that supports innovation and creativity.
What is your sense about sustainability leadership across the country?
We are continuing to see a variety of businesses and governments commit to leadership roles in this area. Recently, we saw Ontario and Quebec take a stance on climate change. As governments and businesses take up stronger leadership positions, you are going to get more businesses and consumers talking about this and taking steps towards environmental responsibility.
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