Case study 2 Managing for sustainability - Using goal-setting theory to improve sustainability What does it require to foster a more sustainable approach to avert a future global crisis in relation to global warming and climate change? How do we motivate individuals, households, organisations and the wider society to be involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increase the level of recycling so that we can use our planet's natural resources in a more sustainable manner? One way would be to increase the level of knowledge and understanding through education. For instance, did you know that a ceiling light with a 75-watt globe left on for three hours a day generates 62 kilograms of carbon dioxide over a year, while an energy-saving 5-watt LED light generates only 4 kilograms of carbon dioxide? Using a hairdryer for ten minutes a day generates 123 kilograms of carbon dioxide over a year, while a mobile phone charger used overnight generates 16 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Some of you may be surprised to hear what your lifestyle is contributing towards greenhouse gas emissions. Awareness may create a desire to set goals to reduce our impact - for example, setting a goal to reduce our energy or water use by, say, 15 per cent. And do not forget that you can save money, too, in addition to reducing your carbon emissions! According to goal-setting theory, specific goals are a powerful motivating force. Another area could be to do more recycling by avoiding buying items with excessive packaging, and looking for brands that can be reused or recycled or which have an established recycling scheme. What about walking, cycling or using public transportation more, instead of using our car? It all comes down to our own motivation in setting goals and then making the behavioural changes that will result in lowering our own carbon emissions and use of resources. The same motivational forces need to be in place in organisations to make them more sustainable, too. If organisations are willing to rethink the way they are operating by using employee education and engagement, together with other motivational strategies, to reward and reinforce desirable behaviours, there will be real opportunities to achieve positive outcomes. For example, simple changes such as general office lighting coming on an hour later in the morning and going off two hours earlier at night during those times of year with adequate natural light; installation of individual light switches so that staff can turn off lights if they deem them unnecessary; and installation of bike racks and showers for those who opt to cycle to work, can all make a difference. Of course, organisations can also set more challenging goals that require more innovation or new approaches to be pursued, but the most important thing is willingness to do something and setting specific goals to be achieved. While we may not have all the answers to how we can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there are promising signs that the motivation to do