As a business, how can you adopt carbon-neutral practices? Follow the below 10 proven successful strategies:-
- Acknowledging your carbon footprint
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the damage they are contributing to the environment and are now moving to make conscious purchases from businesses committed to sustainability. This shift in consumer behaviour has forced companies to rethink their current processes and implement a more sustainable chain of operations to prioritize becoming carbon neutral.
2. Identify Carbon consumption
The carbon footprint in business operations arises in many facets such as product distribution, manufacturing, office operation, laboratory, packaging, and business travel. Transportation and Electricity are two of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. So how are they moving towards this change? First up, carbon usage should be calculated using a reliable source such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol which uses a consumption-based calculation = Consumption x Emission Factors (EF’s) = Emissions (tCO2e).
3. Analysis of each area
With a clear picture of carbon expenditure, an analysis of each department can identify the areas within the business which are particularly draining carbon. The most efficient way is to find the best carbon offset provider in your region and purchase carbon credits. Carbon offset providers use carbon credits to support environmental initiatives to counteract what has been used. The best carbon offset providers invest the credits into reforestation supporting the ecosystems and the communities who rely on them.
4. Find the best carbon offset provider
Carbon credits should only be purchased from the best carbon offset provider, one who partners with experienced and culturally sensitive organizations. The commitment to offsetting carbon usage is about a change of lifestyle in other areas to contribute to a much bigger change.
5. Identify areas to change
Committing to becoming a carbon-neutral business, also means adopting changes throughout the organisation’s departments to complement carbon offsetting. The year 2020 demonstrated to companies a wide range of possibilities in reducing carbon emissions. The elimination of all non-essential travel was replaced by video conferencing and proved just as effective. The increase in employees working from home saw a reduction in carbon emissions produced from commuting to the office, the elimination of energy, water, gas and waste consumption at the office.
6. Work with other businesses with the same sustainability values
Other sustainable business practices include engaging with businesses who are equally committed to sustainability. Suppliers who also have carbon-neutral values and planning in place to ensure the impact of their production is also reduced.
7. Employee involvement
Share with your employees that you are committed to becoming carbon neutral and seek ideas on how best to reduce your carbon footprint. Offer employee incentives such as carbon offset credits to employees.
8. Declare the change
Implement the changes in the form of an official document/declaration so that employees can continue awareness of the changes and engage in best practices.
9. Check-in
It is important to continually monitor that the commitment to the reduction of emissions is on track. Check your emissions on a regular basis so there are no surprises at the end of the year.
10. Continual Improvement
At the end of each period, reassess your commitment to change and identify new areas of improvement or further areas in which carbon emissions can be reduced.
