Last year, the UK government made an announcement that a 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is the target by 2030 when compared to 1990 levels. The European Union also pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
This puts businesses across Europe under a magnifying glass, they need to have their sustainable actions in place, otherwise, they might risk backlash from future investors. It’s either fear or awareness that has morphed into action, more and more businesses are looking for ways to incorporate sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint. Attaining net zero emissions may seem too ambitious but with the right strategies set-up, it is seeming pragmatic.
Below we have cited five different ways for your workplace to get started with environmentally friendly practices – 42% of business leaders believe sustainability to be the biggest growth driver among companies.
Embrace & invest in green energy
Research has clearly stated that energy consumption such as heating & electricity (23%,) transport (14%), agriculture & forestry (24%) and industries (21%) contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential area for businesses to focus on when trying to reduce their carbon footprint.
The best way to bring down a business’s carbon footprint is to start by investing in green energy equipment. Many energy providers might offer a green tariff, or you could fund your own renewable energy source. Most organisations are willing to invest in solar panels as a way to reduce carbon emissions and not worry about rising energy costs. These technologies have been around for many years but were prohibitively expensive until recent advances in technology made them affordable and more efficient.
Guarantees of Origins (GoOs) scheme in Europe, also known as Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) in the UK, provides transparency to consumers, implying that the electricity has been generated from renewable sources. It is best to pick suppliers by checking the information tools to reduce the greenhouse effect. Install a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts cooling and heating based on room temperature and occupancy levels. However, estimates for energy savings vary, a fair starting point is 10%. Certain smart thermostat retailers claim their product saves 12% – 15% on energy. But in the end, you will have to test for yourself to see exactly how well it works.
Use of sustainable supplies
Another tip for minimising your company’s carbon footprint – reconsider your supply chain. The effort you take towards reducing the environmental impacts might account for zero if you support unsustainable businesses that do nothing or the bare minimum to protect the environment.
An effective method to avoid this culpability – select sustainable suppliers with ISO 14001 certificates for any of the finished or raw materials that might be used in your supply chain. This certification demonstrates that an organisation has the requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). Companies need to be actively improve resource efficiency and waste reduction. Be mindful of the suppliers who contribute to the rising level of emissions and do not have their environmental commitments at the heart.
If your organisation is producing physical goods, you can minimise your global carbon footprint by using recyclable or compostable packaging. Slowly reduce mass production of single-use items wherever necessary. Further you can make sure the components of the products can be either recycled or composted.
Incorporate sustainability in office space & travel
Sustainability is not just a trend – it’s the future of business. The days of a company pursuing just profitable growth at all costs are over; now, a lot of companies have started to think about how they can sustain their growth while reducing their impact on the environment.
To compete in today’s marketplace, companies need to create sustainable business practices and reduce their carbon footprint. This will not only help them attract new customers but will also increase employee satisfaction and retention rates. Here are some ways you can incorporate sustainability into office space and travel:
| Office Space   | Travel   |
| Reduce paper use by adopting digital communications tools.  | Take public transportation whenever possible for travelling to work. |
| Use lesser electricity consuming lighting & HVAC systems | Offer green alternatives to commuting (e.g., carpooling) |
| Utilise sustainable products and office stationary/supplies   | Allowing employees to work from home.  |
| Eliminate waste wherever possible   | Fly economy class & choose low-emission airlines |
As a business owner, you have an opportunity to lead by example and help your employees adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives.
Partner with Zalaris
We believe that businesses have a responsibility to sustain their operations and the communities they serve. With Zalaris’ My Carbon Footprint Solution organisations can track their CO2 emissions resulting due to business travel and also provide employees the option to calculate their carbon emissions on daily commutes.
This type of reporting (that falls within Scope 3 of ESG reporting in the EU) creates awareness amongst employees and the wider organisation on the volumes of carbon emissions and empowers them to take thoughtful actions to reduce the same.
Know more on the topic
Zalaris offers:
- Automatic tracking & calculations for business travel-related emissions; integrated into travel & expense solution.
- My carbon footprint app for employees to calculate individual travel patterns & emissions as a result of the daily commutes.
- Assists employers on staying compliant with environmental regulations.
- Involves employees on their day-to-day corporate sustainability efforts.
At Zalaris, we can help you towards incorporating greener business practises into your organisation. Just get in touch with us, and let our experts help you.