At this point, you probably already know that according to the latest climate science, we must halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to avoid catastrophic effects of climate change. The question is, who is responsible for these emissions reductions? Governments? Oil & Gas companies? Businesses? Individuals?
The short answer is that we need governments to intervene to establish laws, regulations and incentives for the systemic change necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at scale. It would also be helpful if we stopped subsidizing oil & gas companies. However, while we wait on the government’s of the world to “do the right thing” we must do what is necessary to reduce the carbon footprint of our businesses and in our personal lives because what choice do we have? We can do nothing and “hope for the best” or we can decide to take action, and in my experience, taking action is empowering. So, with that being said, I have already written about How Your Company can Reduce its Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions, but I wanted to dive a bit deeper, so here you go….
10 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Business:
Energy efficiency: Reduce energy consumption in your offices, warehouses, etc. by improving insulation, using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and investing in renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. Start with what you can control through energy efficiency and renewable energy at your office and/or locations. You should also take advantage of local, state and Federal incentives, which are excellent right now because of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Transportation: Encourage employees to use public transport, bikes, or carpooling options to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Bonus points if your office has showers for those who bike to work. Consider switching to electric or hybrid vehicles for the company’s fleet. It is also worth considering switching to electric fork lifts, and bonus points for charging your electric vehicles with on-site renewable energy.
Waste reduction: Implement a waste reduction program to minimize the amount of waste generated by the business, including recycling and composting programs. Going zero waste in your operations is also a good step for every business to take to improve your environmental performance. Zero waste means that you divert 90% or more of your waste from the landfill through recycling and/or composting. Some of our clients were also able to find buyers for their waste, which created a new revenue stream.
Sustainable sourcing: Consider the environmental impact of products and materials used in the business and source from sustainable and ethical suppliers. A sustainable procurement policy is something every business should have because the vast majority of any company’s carbon footprint comes from its value chain, you can reduce your carbon footprint through sustainable procurement.
Remote work: Encourage remote work options where feasible to reduce travel and transportation emissions. Allowing for employees to work from home 2-3 days a week can reduce the carbon footprint associated with employee commuting.
Water conservation: Implement water-saving measures, such as low-flow toilets and faucets and collecting rainwater, to reduce water consumption. Generally speaking, conserving water saves money, and since water is our most valuable resource, it makes sense to do what you can to conserve it.
Green building practices: Use sustainable building materials and design principles to create a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly workspace. When looking for an office space to rent and/or lease, see that offices are available that are LEED Certified, Green Globes Certified, or even Net-Zero Energy Certified, which will certainly help you to reduce emissions.
Carbon offsets: Consider purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for the carbon emissions generated by the business. Once you have done what you can to reduce your carbon footprint, it may make sense to consider purchasing credible carbon offsets, which can help your company achieve carbon neutrality.
Employee education: Educate employees about the importance of reducing the carbon footprint of the business and how they can contribute to this effort. You should also educate your employees on ways they can reduce their carbon footprint at home (10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint).
Green partnerships: Partner with other businesses or organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint to share resources, knowledge, and best practices.” If you are in the fishing industry, you can consider joining the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, or other similar alliances and groups working towards reducing emissions.
All of the above are effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your business, however, the very first step is to measure your Scope 1, 2 & 3 carbon footprint. Once you have a baseline to measure progress, you would then set science-based targets for greenhouse gas reductions. Finally, report your results either through a carbon footprint report, or an annual sustainability report, because what gets measured, gets managed.
If your business would like to learn more about our Sustainability Consulting Services, contact us today!