In the race to build a more sustainable future, organizations are increasingly turning to digital technologies to drive efficiency, transparency, and innovation. Yet, as Publicis Sapient’s experience and client work consistently show, the true engine of sustainable transformation is not technology alone—it’s people. Digital sustainability is not just about deploying new tools or platforms; it’s about empowering employees at every level to become active participants in the journey toward a greener, more responsible business.
Sustainability ambitions often falter not because of a lack of technology, but because of a lack of engagement, skills, or cultural alignment among employees. As organizations set bold net-zero targets and invest in green technologies, the challenge becomes: how do you make sustainability real for your people? How do you ensure that every employee—from the boardroom to the front line—understands their role, feels equipped to contribute, and is motivated to drive change?
At Publicis Sapient, we believe that digital business transformation is fundamentally human-centered. Our own internal journey, as well as our work with clients across industries, has reinforced that the most successful sustainability initiatives are those that put people first—by building new capabilities, fostering inclusive cultures, and making sustainability a shared, lived experience.
Change management is at the heart of any successful transformation. When it comes to sustainability, this means moving beyond top-down mandates to create a sense of ownership and purpose among employees. It’s about connecting the dots between individual actions and organizational impact, and making sustainability part of the everyday employee experience.
For example, in our work with clients, we’ve seen the power of clear communication and storytelling to bring sustainability strategies to life. By focusing on the human impact—how digital solutions can help a single mother avoid eviction, or how a new platform can enable frontline workers to make greener choices—organizations can inspire employees to see themselves as agents of change. At Publicis Sapient, we’ve used storytelling not just to communicate our purpose, but to unite our teams around a shared mission and to celebrate the real-world impact of our work.
The shift to a sustainable, digital-first economy is creating new roles and skill requirements across every sector. From data scientists who can model carbon footprints, to engineers designing energy-efficient systems, to marketers who can tell authentic sustainability stories—organizations need to invest in upskilling and reskilling their people for the green jobs of the future.
At Publicis Sapient, we’ve quadrupled our investment in learning and development, with a focus on technology-based training and bespoke support. We recognize that every employee, regardless of their background, needs access to the tools and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. This includes not only technical skills, but also the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn as new technologies and sustainability standards emerge. Our approach is to democratize access to training, ensuring that everyone—from new joiners to senior leaders—can build the capabilities needed to drive sustainable outcomes.
Culture is the invisible force that shapes how people behave, make decisions, and collaborate. To embed sustainability into the fabric of an organization, leaders must create an environment where sustainable choices are the default, not the exception. Digital tools play a critical role here—not just as enablers of efficiency, but as catalysts for new ways of working and thinking.
For instance, we’ve helped clients implement real-time emissions tracking platforms that make the environmental impact of business decisions visible to everyone, not just sustainability teams. By integrating sustainability metrics into everyday workflows, organizations can nudge employees toward greener behaviors—whether that’s optimizing delivery routes, reducing energy use, or making more responsible procurement choices. At Publicis Sapient, we use data and analytics to monitor engagement and well-being, ensuring that our people feel supported and connected as they navigate change.
Sustainability is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human one. Building a sustainable business means creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute. This is especially important for underrepresented groups, who often face barriers to participation in both digital and sustainability initiatives.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our approach to sustainability. We’ve launched programs to support women returning to the workforce, created accessible digital experiences for people with disabilities, and fostered employee resource groups that give voice to different perspectives. We know that diverse teams are more innovative, more resilient, and better equipped to solve complex sustainability challenges.
Publicis Sapient’s own transformation has been a living laboratory for people-first sustainability. During the pandemic, we moved thousands of employees to remote work almost overnight, reimagined our people strategy, and rewired our metrics to focus on engagement, well-being, and impact. We learned that technology is only as powerful as the culture and capabilities that surround it—and that the most meaningful change happens when employees are empowered to lead.
Our client work echoes these lessons. Whether helping a retailer optimize delivery routes for lower emissions, supporting a government agency in delivering digital services to vulnerable citizens, or enabling a manufacturer to track and reduce its carbon footprint, the common thread is people. Success depends on engaging employees, building new skills, and creating a culture where sustainability is everyone’s responsibility.
As organizations accelerate their digital sustainability journeys, the imperative is clear: put people at the center. Invest in change management that inspires and equips employees. Upskill your workforce for the green digital economy. Use digital tools not just to measure, but to motivate and empower. And build cultures of inclusion, belonging, and shared purpose.
At Publicis Sapient, we are committed to helping our clients—and our own people—thrive in the brave pursuit of next. Because the future of sustainability is not just digital. It’s human.