7 Ways To Decarbonize Your Business
by Christina Robertson
By now, every business has examined the economic risks companies face when addressing climate change. Everyone has heard, read, or discussed the fact that reducing emissions is essential to limit temperature rises and avoid severe climate impacts to our planet overall. Every day I meet people who ask me how they can approach the idea of decarbonizing their business and if this indeed is needed to reduce their business risks.
The up-and-coming generations are more than aware of the importance of the topic and their decisions as customers and business associates are driven by those expectations. Here are a few ideas to help you get started to find an answer that fits your business needs:
#1 Measure your company’s carbon footprint
This baseline data can help you identify ways to reduce greenhouse emissions and become more sustainable.
#2 Set your carbon reduction target
Establishing a reasonable timeline and overall goal will help you track progress and be economically feasible.
#3 Encourage recycling in your office spaces
Recycling reduces the need to source raw materials to create products from scratch. Remember this – recycling a single soda can would save enough energy to power a laptop for an hour!
#4 Reduce your employees’ road travel emissions
Travel is responsible for almost 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, so review your company’s transportation practices and look for ways to improve.
#5 Reduce your business energy use & switch to renewable energy
Renewable energy is climate-neutral, resource-saving, and can help reduce your business’s carbon footprint. Look for ways to reduce your overall energy consumption and consider investing in updated equipment in your facilities.
#6 Use sustainable suppliers
Who you do business with says a lot about your company. End-to-end sustainability has become increasingly important in today’s business world. Choose your suppliers wisely.
#7 Offset your carbon emissions & invest in carbon credits
Once you’ve reduced, reused, and recycled as much as possible, you can offset the remaining emissions by investing in carbon credit projects like Rebellion Energy Solutions’ Methane Abatement Heartland 1, 2 & 3. Check on third-party ratings on projects like the Rebellion’s most recent BeZero “A” project and consider the importance of projects that are issued through reputable registries such as ACR.
