Thought Leadership Post – From the series “Simplifying Sustainability”
It is almost certain that your business has an impact on the environment and its day-to-day activities cause greenhouse gases to be emitted, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, to start addressing this impact, it is crucial to understand your carbon footprint. But what is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (which are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat) that are emitted by the activities of a person or business. These greenhouse gases drive to the climate crisis, and it is therefore the responsibility of all businesses to understand their carbon footprint and take positive action.
The science is clear: to avoid catastrophic climate change, global carbon emissions should reach net zero by 2050. At JustOne, we want to help all businesses adopt Net Zero practices and support them with creating their roadmaps to showcase how they will set and achieve their targets. We understand this can be a daunting task and setting a net zero carbon target takes a lot of planning.
However, here are some immediate steps you can take to reduce your impact – and save money too:
1. Measure and review your carbon footprint
You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and to take positive action you are going to need to understand your carbon footprint. This will help you identify the areas where you can make the most impact.
From a recently conducted survey, we’ve received feedback that while many businesses have the desire to take positive action for people and planet, cost and poor quality data have been identified, as major reasons holding businesses back.
In response, JustOne recently launched our Carbon Footprint Service, priced at cost only. This is because we believe taking meaningful climate action shouldn’t cost the earth. Our goal is to empower as many businesses as we can, so we refuse to make a profit on climate action essentials. If you would rather do it yourself, we can also support you with guidance and then help you verify the data.
To discover how we can help you successfully reduce your carbon footprint and become a Net Zero business, get in touch today at hello@justone.uk
2. Minimise your energy demand
Once you know where your carbon emissions come from, you can start planning on how to avoid them. In many cases the key emission sources relate to energy needed for lighting, heating and cooling. Some simple steps to minimise your business’s energy demand include making the most of natural light and ventilation, turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use or installing motion sensors. You can also turn down your thermostat by a degree, tweak time controls for your heating and cooling, or invest in insulation.
3. Increase efficiency
Making your business more efficient is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint. There are several ways to do this, but one of the most effective is to invest in energy-efficient technology. These can include LED lights which use about 75% less energy than incandescent lighting. Another opportunity is to regularly maintain your operating equipment so that it runs efficiently, and to replace it with energy-efficient alternatives at the end of its life.
4. Consider renewable energy options
Another way to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is to switch to renewable energy sources. This can include solar panels and wind turbines. It is worth noting that while onsite renewable sources of energy are better, they may not be economically feasible. As such, switching to a green tariff is also an option.
5. Reduce waste
Waste reduction is an often-overlooked part of reducing your business’s carbon footprint. To start, look at your business’s processes, assess your procurement data for better efficiency and see where you can reduce or eliminate waste. If you produce a lot of waste, consider reusing it as a resource in another business process and investing in recycling or composting facilities. You can also encourage your employees and customers to recycle or compost their waste.
6. Educate your employees and customers
Finally, one of the best ways to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is to educate your employees and customers about sustainability. Encourage them to make positive choices, such as recycling, composting, and using public transportation. This is an opportunity to lead your sector and industry by making sustainable choices in your own business and converting your actions into engaging stories to tell.
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JustOne is a team of passionate sustainability experts, and we can help you calculate your business’ carbon footprint. We’re currently offering free discovery calls to help people take positive action in their businesses. To speak to expert sustainability consultants, email: hello@justone.uk
Your friends at JustOne UK| Sustainability consultancy
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