Strategic Green Human Resource Management for Sustainable Transformation: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Innovation driven Workforce Practices

Abstract

In today’s global landscape, organizations face increasing pressure to align their strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting environmental responsibility, social equity, and sustainable economic growth. Green Human Resource Management plays a vital role in this transition by integrating sustainability principles into core HR functions. This conceptual study explores how Green Hiring, Green Training and Involvement, and Green Performance Management serve as catalysts for sustainable organizational performance through the mediating effect of Green Innovation. Based on existing literature, the study emphasizes how these practices foster environmentally conscious employees, strengthen a culture of innovation, and boost long-term organizational resilience. It also shows that GHRM directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), especially SDG 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth; SDG 12, which encourages responsible consumption and production; and SDG 13, which calls for urgent climate action—by cultivating sustainable work environments, environmentally responsible practices, and innovation-driven growth. By aligning HR policies with global sustainability frameworks, organizations can enhance accountability, increase employee engagement, and contribute significantly to the broader sustainability efforts.