The UK Government set an ambitious but necessary target of achieving net zero by 2050. Reducing our carbon dioxide emissions is critical to achieving this goal and mitigating the effects of climate change and global warming.
Small-to-medium enterprises are responsible for 60-70% of the world’s industrial carbon emissions alone, therefore, decarbonisation should be a high priority to ensure we reach the national sustainability goal.
Creating a robust carbon-reduction initiative will propel your corporation towards net zero. This 6-step guide outlines the process of creating a strategy to work towards the all-important goal of becoming carbon-negative.
Step 1: Assessing your Corporation’s Current Emissions
The crucial primary course of action to achieving net zero is identifying where your company’s emissions are coming from. Corporate emissions are categorised into three groups, scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Scope 1: direct emissions that are owned or controlled by your company, for example, from fuel combustion in vehicles or boilers.
Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased energy consumption, such as electricity, heat, or cooling.
Scope 3: all other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of your organisation, including both upstream and downstream activities. This is the biggest contributor to your carbon footprint.
Understanding where your company is producing emissions is an essential step in outlining your net zero goals.
Step 2: Set Out Carbon Reduction Initiatives
Once you have visibility of your corporate emissions, you can create an overall carbon reduction initiative outlining the specific measures your company will take to achieve a carbon-neutral organisation.
Our organisation, Energy Efficient Solutions Group (EESG), highlighted our progress towards net zero and our carbon accounting in the company’s 2023 carbon report. The most rewarding accomplishment of 2023 was obtaining the esteemed B Corp Certification with an impressive score of 103.3. This achievement demonstrates our continued dedication to reducing our social and environmental impact. In line with our efforts in 2021, we worked with Carbon Neutral Britain throughout 2023 to double offset the emissions that we cannot control or influence and provided support to sustainable projects worldwide. These measures reflect the steps we are taking to achieve net zero within our own business.
It is imperative to implement carbon reduction initiatives to combat climate change, but these measures will look different for each business based on varying factors, such as the size of the business. Our team can assist your organisation in identifying the right solutions tailored to you. Your carbon reduction initiative could include a transition to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency through operations and investing in carbon capture and storage technologies.
Additionally, your organisation could create a learning environment for employees to educate and encourage carbon reduction practises, such as transportation to work. Collaboration is crucial on the journey to net zero, and it is important to ensure that all aspects of your business are working towards the same goal to achieve results.
Step 3: Set Attainable Targets
While your carbon reduction initiative may outline your strategy over several years, setting regular targets that can be reassessed at intervals will contribute towards ensuring your organisation remains on track.
A lack of expertise can delay both the initiative and your incremental targets. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research and seek valuable advice.
Our company, EESG, is committed to addressing climate change. Our primary objective is to offer effective solutions that aid in reducing both direct and indirect emissions and advancing your journey towards achieving decarbonisation and net zero emissions. We can provide you with valuable guidance on the most appropriate energy-efficient technologies that align with your company’s needs.
Our team of experts will conduct a comprehensive site survey to analyse your corporation’s energy consumption and systems. This analysis will enable us to design a customised plan that is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to establish and accomplish achievable goals.
Step 4: Become More Energy Efficient
Once your targets have been created, your organisation can identify the necessary measures and begin making real strides towards reducing your emissions.
There are several ways to improve the efficiency of your business operations, and one of the most effective technologies that you can easily integrate is LED lighting. By upgrading your lighting system to LED, you can achieve significant cost savings and enjoy attractive payback periods. If your LED fittings are older than 5 years, it is worth considering upgrading to the latest generation of fittings to yield optimal performance benefits.
Solar PV is a viable option for any size business, yielding significant energy savings while simultaneously reducing reliance on the grid and rising electricity costs. Several options can be considered to provide the optimal solution for your organisation – from roof mounts to solar carports and ground mounts.
Incorporating EV charging stations at your corporation can help you tackle the growing number of electric vehicles and prepare your company for the future of the motor industry. This initiative can also generate additional revenue for your business and increase the value of your property.
Implementing heat pumps, solar thermal water efficiency measures, and waste reduction can further reduce energy consumption and increase profit margins for your company while also benefiting the environment.
Step 5: Implement Renewable Technologies
At EESG, we provide a variety of sustainable and renewable solutions, including energy saving lighting, solar PV, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and heating solutions. We also offer finance options that allow you to spread the cost of implementing projects to reduce carbon emissions.
Our team will ensure a smooth execution of the implementation phase of your strategy. We’ll assign a dedicated project manager to maintain streamlined communication between your organisation and all key stakeholders. Our accredited in-house installers will work around your specific schedule, ensuring that day-to-day business operations can continue uninterrupted.
Step 6: Reassess Your Carbon Footprint
After taking steps towards decarbonisation, it is crucial for your corporation to regularly reassess its carbon footprint. This helps to track progress, identify areas that still need improvement, and adjust strategies accordingly. Regular assessments of a corporation’s carbon footprint demonstrate environmental responsibility and ethical practices.