Every year, the Emissions Gap Report is published to highlight the difference in the greenhouse emissions that are expected to be in 2030 to where they actually should be to prevent the worst effects of climate change. By 2050, the carbon budget we as individuals have left to accomplish the UN aim of reducing global warming to 2° Celsius will be between 600 and 800 Gt carbon. At the conference of parties, Paris agreement 2015, all the representatives from countries have established their reduction methods at an individual level. The restrictions made are affecting a wide range of industries, so it is their responsibility to create and execute reduction strategies.
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In the battle against climate change, it is our responsibility to have urged that we should lower our carbon emissions. A corporation can reduce its carbon emissions in a variety of ways.
1. Recycling
A simple strategy to lower a company’s carbon emissions is to recycle at work. We lower the number of raw materials that must be gathered to make items from scratch when we recycle. Recycling a tin can might save sufficient energy to run a computer for an hour. Tons of paper is being used by companies, so if a ton of paper is recycled, it can save 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil and 3 cubic yards of landfill space. Introducing recycling collections at your office may also help to foster a more environmentally conscious workplace which might also improve employee enthusiasm.
2. Investing In Renewable Energy
Unless we are utilizing green resources, energy use produces carbon emissions. The use of solar and wind power which are both clean and sustainable is the fastest-growing substitute of energy resources. Even though the early expenditure would be high, harnessing the potential of renewable energies will save the firm money over the long run.
3. Upgrade Your Office
With the installation of renewable energy in the office, companies can consider replacing some old gadgets and appliances with newer equivalents. Upgrading old, inefficient incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to save money and energy. Investing in effective blinds and shade, replacing the doors and keeping the company’s heating systems in good working order. With upgrading offices in these ways it reduces the amount of energy as well as the money and not to mention the number of carbon emissions produced.
4. Encouraging Workers For a Hybrid Work Mode
Considering the present pandemic, which has compelled individuals to work from home, this is extremely important. Invest in better internet connectivity, high-performance home PCs, virtual office suites, and streaming platforms. This can be encouraged to be done once or twice a week where workers will be less likely to produce harmful gases into the atmosphere by not using their vehicles or public transportation and will be determined to work from the comfort of their homes.
5. Utilizing Sustainable Suppliers
It’s no longer enough to make sure that the company is contributing to environmental protection; you must also use [sustainable suppliers](https://www.shredstation.co.uk/blog/11-ways-businesses-can-reduce-carbon-emissions/#:~:text=1 – Recycle,reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint.&text=With paper recycling%2C a ton,cubic yards of landfill space.). If you go to great lengths to reduce your environmental effect yet support businesses that do nothing or the bare least to safeguard the environment, you could theoretically be contributing to the funding of unsustainable activities. ISO 14001 is an excellent certification to check for when picking providers. It verifies that an organization’s management systems include environmental management.
6. Travel Smart
Automobile manufacturers are pouring money into creating electric vehicles. Many more inexpensive alternatives, like the [Skoda CITIGOe iV and SEAT e-Mii Electric](https://www.shredstation.co.uk/blog/11-ways-businesses-can-reduce-carbon-emissions/#:~:text=1 – Recycle,reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint.&text=With paper recycling%2C a ton,cubic yards of landfill space.) (£15,000 and £16,000), nowadays are broadly accessible, making electric vehicle ownership a more realistic option for organizations of all sizes. Electric cars are also accessible at leases. There could be a considerable difference in the country’s carbon impact if all companies and individuals switched to electric vehicles.
7. Encouraging Online Meetings and Online Events
Company meetings or business functions could be hosted online rather than traveling long distances. This will save the employees time and money on commuting, as well as lessen the company’s carbon footprint. Approximately one-fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions come from transportation. Therefore, if everyone travelled a bit less, there would be significant reductions in overall carbon dioxide emissions.
8. Business Trips
Several companies might ask to fly to another area right away. Air travel, however, contributes to a variety of emissions. So, if we avoid air travel and instead rely on technology, we end up reducing our carbon footprint. For every 1600 miles of air travel avoided, we save 720 pounds of carbon emissions. If business trips are to be attended in person, taking public transportation is an approach to cut carbon emissions.
9. Start Offsetting Carbon
Another option to manage the total greenhouse emissions is to neutralize/offset our carbon emissions. We can achieve carbon neutrality by reducing the overall emissions to zero. A carbon-neutral certification partner can assist in determining the most cost-effective choice for the company. Carbon neutrals accreditation will play as a proof card that the company is serious about decreasing its carbon footprint. A greenhouse gas analysis documenting the emissions from the company’s normal operations is generally part of the accreditation procedure. Electricity used, amount of waste produced, mileage travelled in company vehicles and other factors are typically analyzed. These then will be confirmed by a third party which will offer a variety of projects to offset the company’s emissions.
10. Plant Trees, Participate In The Real World
Tree plantation or establishing a workplace garden can be a wonderful approach to improve employee morale while also reducing the company’s carbon footprint. A great project was planned at Shred Station, Shred a Ton, Plant a Tree scheme. This scheme was to plant a tree for every ton of paper they shred, this was easy to manage and also great for the environment.
11. Buy Used Office Furniture
Purchasing pre-owned office equipment not only saves the firm money, but it is also environmentally friendly. Reusing and recycling things helps to prevent future depletion of natural resources such as wood and metals. Using secondhand does not imply compromising the quality of furniture, utilization of sustainably sourced or recycled office equipment like recycled polypropylene cafeteria seats and bamboo tables is another excellent approach to reduce carbon footprints.
12. Educating and Spreading Awareness Among The Staff and Customers
Trying to reduce individual carbon footprint won’t count if the company does not know about it. So having a courteous discussion with the employees, board members and even customers about the subject will make them aware of the carbon-reduction policies. This way we can help them work on their footprint.
13. Embrace Technology
Several businesses still run their activities on paper. It is, however, time to accept technology and abandon paper. Investing in the software will make sure we use less paper and if we use paper we must print on both sides.
14. If Not In Use, Unplug
When the electrical goods are not in use, they still draw power from the system while they are turned on which has a negative impact on the environment. When the electrical appliances are not in use, unplug them completely. This is the simple teaching that we can pass on to the staff and members to reduce our emissions.
15. Switch To Smart Shipping
If the business relies on product shipment, we should consider using more environmentally friendly shipping options. We should avoid shipment by air because it consumes more gasoline than land transportation. Instead of delivering multiple light loads that burn more fuel, we must decrease the number of shipments by optimizing capacity.
16. We Should Preserve Water
Saving up on water will reduce energy costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas pollution. We should fix leaky faucets and fixtures at the workplace as they can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day.
17. Evaluating The Current Carbon Consumption
Hire a carbon management company that can assess your business’ carbon footprint in an efficient way. This aids in determining your present carbon emission status and determining how this might grow. You’ll be capable of building a proper approach based on the current volume of greenhouse gases emitted.
18. Utilize Fair Trade
International trade will not halt because of climate change. To lower a company’s carbon emissions, sustainable globalization solutions must be implemented. Fairtrade organizations strive to provide small scale farmers with the resources they need to manage and battle climate change, as they will be overwhelmingly impacted. Developing nutrient-rich soils and engaging in forestry programs are two of these strategies. These initiatives help to trap carbon while also promoting environmentally friendly agricultural goods.
19. Engaging With Sustainable Farmers
Consider forming a partnership with other local businesses that are also fighting climate change or working to make the world a greener place. Simultaneously, only collaborate with companies that reflect your commitment to reducing carbon footprints so that you may jointly create a better influence on the environment.
20. Raise Your Business Voice
Businesses and corporations have an influence, and they should utilize it to help reduce their carbon emissions. Consumers that are concerned about the environment only purchase from firms that share their beliefs and the best way to attract this is to support environmental regulations. Consumers, shareholders, and workers will respond the same way if businesses and companies are vocal about decreasing carbon emissions.
It is a must to check if you’re remaining on target and decreasing your carbon emissions consistently. It should be accomplished by tracking the company’s carbon performance and developing a regular scheduled strategy.
