What it means to be a Sustainability Champion at Saint-Gobain Weber
Weber’s dedicated team of sustainability champions helps us progress on our journey to reducing our environmental impact as a business.
In this blog series, we will be speaking to them to find out more about what they do.
The next installment comes from marketing executive Katy Prutton, who highlights some of the key initiatives she’s worked on and explains how she helps to communicate our sustainability efforts both internally and externally.
Can you tell us about your journey to become a sustainability champion?
I became a sustainability champion about a year ago.
The team has grown as sustainability has become a bigger focus for Weber, opening up the opportunity to become a sustainability champion to more people. When a position became available, I jumped at the chance to get involved.
Sustainability is something I’ve always been passionate about and at home, we’re big on recycling and minimising waste.
For me, it’s not just about doing the right thing but also about following the science and evidence. That’s what inspires me to also champion sustainability at work – combining data-driven insights with creative communication to make a difference.
How does your role as a sustainability champion complement your role in marketing?
Being a sustainability champion is more than a voluntary role – it’s part of my job. Sustainability is constantly on my mind and shapes everything I do in marketing and communications.
From ensuring our internal newsletters include sustainability updates to embedding them in our external campaigns, my focus is to keep the message consistent and impactful. It’s about telling our sustainability story and educating our audiences to inspire change.
What are some key initiatives you’ve led as a sustainability champion?
One of the most rewarding projects has been becoming a facilitator for our Climate Fresk workshops.
These sessions educate employees about climate change using scientific data, helping them to understand the issues and empowering them to take action. Seeing participants’ reactions and their journey from concern to commitment is incredibly fulfilling.
We’ve exceeded our participation targets for the year and are planning to evolve the programme further by turning individual pledges into measurable actions.
How does Weber communicate its sustainability efforts to customers and stakeholders?
For example, our latest product, weberpral E, highlights our efforts to innovate sustainably by incorporating recycled materials.
We also ensure our customer-facing teams have the tools and information they need to discuss sustainability with clients. It’s about weaving the message into everything we do, both internally and externally.
What challenges do you face in promoting sustainability?
One challenge is engaging customers who may have a misconception that being sustainable means extra cost.
Certain customers value innovative sustainable solutions, while others prefer to stick with what they know, rather than try new things. This is where education is crucial to achieve more of a balance.
Regulations will eventually mandate sustainable practices, so our role is to stay ahead of the curve and help our customers prepare for what’s to come.
What are your plans as a sustainability champion, and what’s next for sustainability at Weber?
We have a lot planned as we work towards achieving our 2050 net zero target.
Building on the success of our Climate Fresk workshops, we’re creating the next iteration of the programme to maintain momentum.
Another major focus is advancing Weber’s sustainability roadmap, which includes definitive targets aligned with Saint-Gobain’s 2050 net zero goal.
Collaboration with our executive team and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, will be key to promoting sustainable practices throughout our supply chain.
Internally, we’ll continue to prioritise education and communication to ensure sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do.
For me personally, it’s all about making the world a better home. Small changes, whether in our work or personal lives, can collectively have a massive impact
What would you say to others who want to champion sustainability in their own roles?
Start with small steps and focus on what you can influence. Sustainability isn’t a once-and-done effort; it’s an ongoing journey.
By keeping the conversation alive and integrating sustainable practices into everyday decisions, you can drive meaningful change – both within your organisation and beyond.
