Carbon is now a major topic for businesses. Any business, no matter how big must think about how they can reduce and control the carbon footprint. In the UK, UK is the first nation to establish standards for carbon offset schemes and it makes business sense to cut down and offset carbon emissions.
Reducing energy consumption and traveling are among the easiest ways to decrease carbon emissions however carbon offsets can be employed as a business strategy. More often, customers will ask questions regarding what your company is doing to minimize your carbon footprint. They need answers. It is the first thing to determine the exact carbon footprint is. then take action on it.
What is my company’s carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint an indicator of the impact human activities can have on the environment in terms the amount of greenhouse gas created. Since carbon is among the most significant gases that is produced, carbon footprints are determined by the amount of carbon dioxide produced. Small businesses’ primary carbon generators are travel and energy. It’s simple and easy to estimate your carbon footprint. All you have to be aware of is annual use of energy and your travel mileage. Use carbon-based calculator, and adhere to the straightforward steps. It takes only a few minutes to determine your company’s carbon footprint. However, you have to figure out what you can do with the outcome. Alongside reducing the use of travel and energy consumption, you could decide to offset a portion or all the carbon emissions that your business generates. Pick a trustworthy company to offset your carbon.
What exactly are carbon offsets?
Carbon offsets allow people as well as organizations to lessen the impact of carbon emissions. Carbon offsets enable carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gasses) to be removed of the atmosphere or reduced other parts of the world. There are many ways of offset one’s carbon footprint. It is possible to plant a tree. Trees breathe carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. This process is referred to as carbon sequestration’. It is also possible to purchase carbon dioxide credits then never use the credits. This means that other people, organizations and nations from employing these credits. Another option is to donate or invest to organizations or companies that study and develop sustainable and renewable technology. Also, you can purchase energy-efficient technologies and then give them to countries in need.
What are the advantages for business from carbon offset?
Customers will be more likely to come to you to begin. If your company offsets its carbon using a carbon credit exchange, you’ll prove your green credentials and improve your public relations marketing, brand leadership and marketing. Customers who are currently customers will be happy and, if you have shareholders, they’ll also be satisfied. Depending on the business you offset with, you could be eligible to use an offsetting quality label that can also increase the value of your the business. Offsetting is a way to show your commitment to sustainability and can also attract prospective investors who want to make a bet on your eco-friendly business.
Offsetting can be utilized as an advertising tool to increase retention of customers, gain new customers and assist in attracting the most talented employees to your company (and employees will be engaged in the issue of climate change and its impact on business). Additionally, you’ll reduce the possibility of being removed from the supply chain for environmental issues and you will be able to satisfy the obligations under the law and your corporate social responsibility needs. Certain companies already have restrictions, while others doing so on a voluntary basis. It is very likely that every company will eventually be controlled and if you begin now you’ll be prepared.
Offsetting is an effective way to attract customers with your products or services. You can, for instance, provide carbon-friendly rewards to customers who purchase your products. For instance, you could offer 100 grams of carbon per each PS1 that is spent. It’s very efficient. It is possible to offer customers the possibility of offset their carbon footprint as part of the deal. Perhaps offsets for company emissions can be a part of a larger plan for environmental management. If you are a host of events or events, you might decide to also repair any environmental harm. You can choose the best option for your needs.
What can I do to offset?
Choose what you wish to reduce. Operations for your business, customer’s usage of your products and services or your own products and services, or maybe your own events? If you are looking to offset the greenhouse emissions generated by your business activities start by calculating your business’s carbon footprint.
Which firms should you select to offset your costs with?
It should be easy however it’s not. There are fake schemes, as well as many that aren’t transparent and inconsistent. The government recently issued an open consultation paper in the hope of setting up a gold standard which should be beneficial. It only announced four companies out of 61 UK offset operators which appear to be in compliance with the guidelines. Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets have been named by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Your company could pick any of them. They will provide customers with the assurance that when they purchase offsets, the money will be spent on projects that will result in carbon dioxide emissions reductions. However, there’s a caveat. The standards of the government are based upon the existing Kyoto carbon market, where carbon is only traded when offset projects go through a strict certification process similar to that of the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The focus of these schemes is on large-scale enterprises that are a part of both the UN as well as the European Union’s carbon reduction scheme. Smaller , voluntary initiatives that aim to cut carbon emissions at the ground have been exempted. For instance, less than 1 percent of Kyoto-compliant schemes are in Africa However, the majority of the ones funded through offsets offered by voluntary organizations are located in Africa. If you’re looking to support smaller-scale projects, then you’ll need to consider other options. A lot of smaller-scale projects are great and, even though they’ve not received government approval but some may receive it once the guidelines are finalized. For instance, First Choice Holidays and lastminute.com have committed to meeting the requirements at the at the end of the year.
Businesses need to offset their carbon footprint with businesses they are comfortable with.
It is crucial that offsets are not used to excuse other aspects. Your company doesn’t want to convey the impression that just a little bit of carbon offset will relieve it from the obligation of reduction of emissions.