How To Reduce Your Business Carbon Footprint
Increased awareness of environmental sustainability has made it crucial for businesses to find ways to minimise their emissions. A company’s carbon footprint comprises all the direct and indirect emission it causes due to its operations. Admittedly, managing a brand is a tedious task involving various environmental costs. However, ignoring sustainability standards in the quest for success isn’t a good habit. Moreover, reducing your carbon footprint will cut operational costs and improve your brand’s image. Here are some great ways to achieve this.
- Create carbon reduction goals
One way to improve your sustainability culture is to set carbon emission targets for your business. A zero-emission policy may seem unrealistic. However, you can achieve these dreams with the right carbon reduction strategies. Your carbon reduction goals should center on your business objectives and efforts to go green. Consider conducting an extensive review to determine the sources of your major emissions and how they impact your brand internally and externally.
- Minimize your energy consumption
Studies show business energy consumption usually accounts for the major portion of their carbon footprints, making it an essential area to concentrate on. You can cut electricity usage by investing in energy-efficient equipment, disconnecting appliances after use, and leveraging renewable energy solutions like solar. These simple steps can help you save money and reduce your company’s carbon emissions.
- Limit your business travel
Business owners have a core responsibility to protect the environment. Reducing business travel is an effective way to lower your carbon footprint and benefit your operation and bottom line. You can include travel restrictions as a key component of your greenhouse gas emission protocols. Switch from flying to buses and trains and use public transport as much as possible. you’ll also find it helpful to encourage carpooling among teams moving together to reduce individual emissions. If your company relies on diesel engine vehicles for operations, ensure you comply with Adblue regulations. Adblue is a clear liquid solution composed of demineralized water and urea; it plays a key role in reducing nitrous oxide from diesel engines. As environmental safety concerns and regulations tighten in the UK, vehicle owners, including businesses, must comply with the standards and contribute to cleaner air and reduced environmental impact.
- Schedule online meetings
Consider adopting a hybrid work model with remote employees and in-house teams to help your business transition to eco-friendly online meetings and events. Virtual meetings are more environmentally sustainable because there is no requirement for long-distance travel. The transportation sector accounts for one-fifth of total global emissions. Therefore, scheduling more online meetings and events will help businesses fulfil their carbon footprint reduction goals and save money on transportation.
- Recycle and reuse
Reusing and recycling are great ideas to make your business eco-friendly. You can apply these concepts in several areas of your business, such as office supplies, packing, and processes. For example, if your team takes drinks from aluminium cans, you may want to arrange for a local recycling company to empty your containers regularly. Additionally, instead of tossing waste paper into the bin, you may want to shred them for recycling.