Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), recognised for embedding sustainability practices to its business strategy, has announced plans to align its human resource practices in line with the best practices for a green economy. 

Building on its promise of ‘Advancing the Green Economy’, CDB intends to create an environmentally friendly workforce that can understand and appreciate a green culture in the company.

CDB’s Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) strategy uses HRM policies to promote the sustainable use of resources within the organisation and promotes environmental sustainability. GHRM is directly responsible for creating a green workforce at CDB that benefits the individuals, society, nature, environment and the business in the long run. HR can play a significant role in the creation of a sustainable culture within an organisation and can spearhead the employee engagement necessary to integrate green values within the teams.

“We are delighted to introduce the GHRM initiatives to CDB. We’ve been taking small steps to make big changes; CDB began the transition to 100 percent renewable energy by installing light switch sensors and installing solar-powered lighting in branches where possible, promoting carpooling/sharing and encouraging team members to use hybrid or electric vehicles as much as possible. We also provide virtual interviews and an e-learning platform to our employees,” said CDB Executive Director/Corporate Finance Roshan Abeygoonewardena, as he shared his thoughts on this novel initiative. 

GHRM encompasses creating a green mindset in recruited talent, green performance management, learning and development, rewards and benefits and employee relations. The company has also formulated an action plan to achieve a complete paper-free organisation within the next three years, reducing or eliminating the use of paper to directly conserve natural resources, prevent pollution and reduce wastage of water and energy. Taking a massive step towards hi-tech efficiency, CDB has also introduced robotic process automation (RPA) in the Operations Division.

“CDB has already prohibited the use of plastic water bottles at all meetings, training sessions and other activities. We’ve also decided to limit and eventually phase-out, the usage of single-use plastic within the organisation and at workplace events. Internal event decorations will no longer be made of single-use materials but will instead be made of eco-friendly, sustainable materials. We want to build a sustainable and ecologically friendly environment,” Abeygoonewardena added.