Sustainability in social care: key insights from our recent webinar

Following on from an insightful panel discussion at Care Show London, this week saw Care Show’s very first webinar. Hosting online educational content marks a key step in creating a year-round learning experience for our community and keeping important conversations alive within the sector. This webinar brought together experts to explore practical ways care providers can embed sustainability without compromising the high standards of care that service users rely on. Below are some of the key insights that were shared earlier this week.

1. How ESG creates measurable value in care settings

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a powerful framework that can deliver clear, measurable benefits in care environments. By embedding ESG principles, care providers can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance care quality all at once. For example, smarter waste management can significantly cut expenses whilst lowering carbon emissions.

During the webinar, the following votes were cast to indicate where ESG has created the most measurable value for providers so far. Results showed:

• 43% hadn’t seen any measurable value yet
• 23% had seen cost savings and efficiency gains
• 15% had seen better care outcomes for service users with another 15% describing stronger brand reputation and trust
• Only 5% however had seen improved staff retention and morale

Overall, it seems there is still a lot of progress still to be made within the sector in terms of measurable value.

In this segment, the panel made specific reference to the importance of investing in ESG to demonstrate accountability and transparency to stakeholders, helping to build trust between service users, families, and regulators. This can be done by embedding ESG in everyday actions, and not solely focusing on policies.

2. Evaluating suppliers’ ESG credentials while staying on budget

With such intense financial pressures on the sector at the moment, one challenge that many care providers face is balancing sustainability goals with tight budgets. Choosing suppliers who share your ESG values can help, but how do you evaluate these credentials without breaking the bank?

During the webinar, the panellists explored how to rely on trusted voices and avoid those who are simply greenwashing. Once you begin to build a network of trusted suppliers who have been assessed to external standards, it becomes easier to know what to look for.

During the webinar, providers indicated how they evaluate ESG credentials when choosing suppliers. Results showed:

• 48% don’t currently assess ESG performance
• 26% ask questions during procurement or tenders
• 19% rely on relationships and reputation
• Only 6% use a formal ESG/sustainability checklist

With a long way still to go, the panel provided encouragement and suggestions for moving towards a place where care providers become more proactive in choosing ESG-aware suppliers.

3. Reducing carbon emissions without compromising care

During the last section of the webinar, panellists moved the conversation towards a discussion of some of the challenges that come with reducing emissions in a care setting.

Providers voted to indicate what they saw as their biggest barrier to reducing emissions in their care setting:

• 34% said they had not yet started measuring emissions
• 31% said staff/client travel and transport
• 14% said lack of time or resource, with a further 14% indicating energy demands from equipment was their biggest barrier
• 7% indicated the nature of the 24/7 service model was the biggest restriction

Reflecting on the poll results, the panellists suggested various options to tackling these differing challenges including creating more guidance to empower clients and families and looking to switch to more sustainable methods of transport for their staff. The panel summarised by emphasising how small changes like these add up to meaningful environmental gains.

Moving forward together

The key message from the webinar is that sustainability and quality care can go hand in hand. By embedding ESG into your day-to-day operations, evaluating suppliers wisely, and focusing on care improvements that lower emissions, you can lead your organisation into a healthier, more sustainable future one step at a time.

If you’re interested in practical tools and ongoing support, don’t forget to check out the free Sustainability Guide available via the link below, and stay tuned for future webinars and resources.

Sustainable Care: How to Put Environmental and Social Policy into Practice

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xznTSBHJwDypMJj4xovPEiw5cCLxoGgYSbwe9HxmED8/edit?usp=sharing   

Check out the full webinar recording here: https://www.careshow.co.uk/webinar-demand