At a time when businesses are under pressure to demonstrate meaningful ESG progress, a surprising insight from the OECD offers a new path forward: physical activity isn’t just a health issue; it’s a climate matter, too. According to new findings, boosting movement at a population level could not only curb chronic disease and boost productivity, but also reduce global carbon emissions by up to 11% by 2050.For HR leaders, this represents a game-changing opportunity. By encouraging walking, cycling, and more movement-friendly workplace practices, businesses can support employee wellbeing while contributing to their environmental goals. It’s the kind of joined-up thinking ESG strategies have been missing.As the OECD and WHO both state: "The benefits of increasing physical activity are enormous and go well beyond health outcomes. It's a solution for people, the planet, and the economy.” Inactivity is costing the planet and the economyInactivity is now one of the top four risk factors for mortality globally, according to the World Health Organization. But its impact goes beyond the doctor’s office. As a recent OECD and World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) report makes clear, inactivity is also driving up emissions, contributing to poor air quality, and costing businesses billions in lost productivity.Globally, over a third of the population fails to meet minimum recommended activity levels, and without intervention, the healthcare costs associated with physical inactivity are projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.Active commuting offers one of the clearest opportunities for impact. The OECD’s analysis finds that if cycling and e-bikes represented a greater share of transport modes, we could reduce CO₂ emissions from urban transport by 7-11%. What’s more, the economic case is undeniable: every £1 invested in promoting physical activity yields a £4 return through improved health outcomes and productivity.“We vehemently believe that investment in physical activity is not only a solution to improve public health, it also gives us an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions through active transport and active mobility," says Emma (Mason) Zwiebler, CEO of the WFSGI.Why the workplace mattersThe OECD stresses that the workplace is where change can happen fastest, and we at YuLife wholeheartedly agree. Employers are uniquely placed to influence daily habits, especially commuting. HR leaders looking to embed ESG principles into their operations can do so by investing in physical activity infrastructure and policies:Incentivise active commuting: Promote cycle-to-work schemes, subsidise public transport, and offer incentives for walking or cycling to work.Re-think office design: Include showers, bike storage, and flexible working hours that make movement easier.Make movement part of the culture: Encourage walking meetings, lunchtime walks, and step-based challenges.These changes help the environment while also cultivating stronger engagement, reducing stress, and building better resilience, all of which lead to higher productivity and employee retention.With the ability to influence daily behaviours at scale, companies can be powerful enablers of long-term health and climate impact, especially when backed by supportive public policy.“It's about getting the inactive active,” says Lauren Berkemeyer, Chief Marketing Officer at YuLife. “Delivering tools that help people engage in a very accessible and simple way, that is rewarding, uplifting and attainable, will move the needle.” From carbon accounting to behavioural changeThe problem with many ESG strategies is that they focus on measurement, not motivation. Reporting frameworks are essential, but they don’t tend to drive day-to-day change. That’s where workplace wellbeing platforms like YuLife come in.YuLife incentivises healthy behaviours through scientifically validated gamification, allowing your employees to earn YuCoin for walking, cycling, meditating and more. “We've used the methodology around game mechanics and nudge theory, and what triggers that motivation, to reward people for everyday simple activities such as exercise, mindfulness, and brain training,” adds Lauren.These rewards can be redeemed for everything from shopping vouchers to charitable donations. It’s a low-barrier, high-impact way to promote behavioural change.And it works! On average, 80% of employees with access to YuLife have downloaded the app and engaged with it in the last 30 days. What's more, 93% of members are actively engaged on an ongoing basis, while 1 in 3 engage daily. Over the month, YuLife members engage on 20 out of 30 days, compared to 10 out of 30 days for non-gamified wellbeing programmes, which is equal to 100% more engagement versus other benefits and wellbeing providers.By making movement part of the workday, YuLife helps businesses shift from reactive to preventative health strategies, while also reducing the carbon intensity of daily routines.A smarter, more human approach to ESGAs Caroline Brooks, Head of Physical Activity at the WFSGI, notes: "Studies have shown that CO₂ emissions can be reduced by 11% if cycling and e-bikes represent a greater share of transport modes by 2050… The economic case is particularly strong."The challenge is no longer proving the ROI; it's giving people the tools and motivation to act. HR leaders have a critical role to play in enabling these changes.Creating a movement-friendly workplace doesn’t require large capital investments. It requires a mindset shift within your senior team to recognise that sustainability starts with people. The small, daily choices your employees make, whether they drive or cycle, sit or walk, disengage or participate, are where the most scalable and cost-effective ESG gains lie.“The knock-on effect in terms of helping to drive that sustained engagement over time throughout the whole workforce creates healthier employees, a healthier population, and a healthier business. Everyone wins,” says Lauren. The future of ESG won’t just be written in carbon credits and compliance documents. It will be measured in steps, cycles, and choices, and the companies that understand this now will be the ones who lead.Ready to walk the talk? Discover how YuLife helps businesses incentivise daily movement, boost productivity, and support long-term ESG goals.