Taking steps to offset your company’s emissions is a very good business strategy these days, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult objective. There are lots of practical ways to reduce your carbon footprint and ultimately drive more profit to your company.
The reasons to make the effort are truly valuable and can give your business a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability can attract and retain customers, improve brand reputation, and command premium prices for their products or services. Investors are increasingly looking for sustainable companies too, and businesses that demonstrate leadership in environmental responsibility are more likely to attract funding and partnerships.
To help your firm capture all of that potential, we’ve gathered four straightforward recommendations from expert sources that can help your company shrink your carbon footprint.
Optimize the Supply Chain
Your company’s supply chain could be one avenue where major carbon reduction possibilities may exist. The first step in this category would be to evaluate the sustainability efforts of your existing suppliers. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) recommends choosing partners that prioritize environmental responsibility and transparency in their operations. Look for companies with a commitment to renewable energy, sustainable materials, and ethical labor practices. Also, consider collaborating with your partners to minimize packaging and optimize shipping routes so you can reduce transportation emissions and waste.
Secondly, prioritizing local sourcing options could make a big dent in your supply chain’s carbon footprint. Less travel means less emissions. When possible, source materials and products from local suppliers to reduce transportation distances and support the local economy.
Easy Investments
Organizations like the World Bank and Climate Action Tracker have been publishing a great deal of information lately about how corporations have been working to offset their carbon emissions through targeted investments. Often, this would involve calculating your company's carbon footprint and then supporting projects that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as tree-planting initiatives, renewable energy projects, and carbon capture technologies. Another option would be to purchase carbon credits from verified organizations that support these kinds of endeavors.
Reducing Waste In House
There are lots of little ways to reduce waste throughout your facilities and adopt a companywide culture of daily sustainable practices. Even the simplest things can add up.
One step you could take is to make it easy for employees to recycle paper, plastic, glass, and other materials. Encourage employees to minimize waste by using reusable containers, reducing packaging, and opting for durable, long-lasting products.
Also, although it might sound silly at first, the collection and composting of food scraps to create nutrient-rich compost for landscaping can actually be a fun team-building activity. Instead of just wasting these materials by tossing them in the trash, they become purposeful fertilizers that could be used when planting trees or perhaps a company garden.
Whatever your company decides to do, one of the most important things to remember is to make these behaviors visible and habitual. Employees need to see the outcomes of their daily activities so the effects become tangible rather than invisible. Once sustainability becomes “real,” it really tends to stick with people.
Equipment Efficiencies
There are likely quite a few ways to improve efficiency among the equipment your company uses every day. Beginning with infrastructure, replacing outdated equipment or appliances with energy-efficient models can significantly reduce your energy consumption. Consider switching to LED lighting, ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, zone heating/cooling, and smart thermostats.
Many companies have also been transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles whenever possible, and incentivizing employees to switch to alternative modes of transportation like cycling, walking, or other eco-friendly commuting options. These are all measurable carbon offsets that your company can advertise and promote as part of your sustainability practices.
Small Steps, Big Impacts
Remember, every action, big or small, can add up to a substantial reduction in your company’s carbon output. By implementing any of these practical and impactful strategies, your company can stand out as a leader in environmental responsibility, save money on energy, and possibly even connect with new business opportunities.
