The planet cannot wait any longer. At the UN Climate Change Conference in November 2021, 450 companies controlling 40% of the world’s financial assets agreed to pursue net zero carbon emissions. 

The work these companies will do will help with limiting climate change. But they cannot save the planet by themselves.

Every small business must reduce its business carbon footprint today. You can start once you familiarize yourself with effective steps. 

How can you calculate your carbon emissions? What are some simple ways to bring your emissions down? What do carbon offsetting and net zero carbon mean? 

Answer these questions and you can help the planet and your business today. Here is your quick guide.

Assess Your Carbon Emissions

Your carbon footprint is how much greenhouse gas your company produces from its operations. Your footprint can include indirect emissions, such as the emissions created by contractors you hire.

Most people measure their footprint in kilograms of carbon dioxide, but you can use any unit of measure you want. Keep in mind that carbon dioxide is just one of many greenhouse gases, so you should look into your other emissions.

It can be difficult to find an exact measurement of your carbon footprint. You can use calculators online to get a general sense of what your emissions are like. If you want to be more precise, you can hire an environmental consultant who will look at your company’s operations and make calculations. 

Reduce Your Transport Emissions

The transport sector accounted for more than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. It is the largest emitting sector, and the UK has failed to take comprehensive steps to reduce its transport emissions. 

Reduce your air travel as much as possible. Conduct interviews and meetings with videoconferencing software. If you need to get across the country, you can use the train or bus.

It is okay to use cars and trucks to transport supplies. Try to switch to electric or hybrid vehicles so you use less gasoline.

Ask your employees to carpool or share rides so they are not taking their cars to work. You can also give them discounts or free passes for public transport. 

Reduce Your Energy Usage

While emissions in the energy supply sector have gone down, the sector still contributed 21% of emissions in 2019. Driving fewer cars and flying on fewer aeroplanes will cut down on your energy footprint. But you have to take more steps than that. 

You should prioritize natural lighting inside your office space. Open the curtains to let in more sunlight and install windows that face to the east. As the sun rises, the light will travel through the windows, illuminating your space during the morning. 

When you need to use artificial lighting, you should use LEDs. Remove your incandescent bulbs and switch over to LEDs as soon as possible. You should install switches to dim your lights so you don’t have to use your light bulbs at full power. 

You don’t need to have your heating and cooling system running at all times. You can use temperature controls to activate your system at certain moments. Talk to your staff about using your system so they don’t create dramatic changes in temperature, which can drive up your energy use.

Be Careful With Your Contracts

Reducing your business carbon emissions does not have to harm your contracts. Read your contracts carefully and see what you can do to be environmentally friendly. 

90% of emissions from large businesses stem from small companies making products for them. If you are creating products for someone, try to use recycled materials. Make sure your consumers can recycle your products as well and avoid using dyes and unusual plastics.

You should also minimize how much packaging goes on your products. Try to wrap your products in paper instead of plastic. 

If you are making a report for someone, send them your findings in an electronic document instead of printing it out. If you must print it out, you should use recycled paper and minimize your use of coloured ink. 

Offset Your Emissions

Carbon offsetting lets you compensate for your emissions by paying someone else to reduce theirs. You can pay someone to plant trees or you can donate energy-efficient technology to your clients or other businesses. 

Take a look at a few different ways you can offset your emissions. If you have some money on hand, you can invest in carbon capture technology. If you’re looking to save on expenses, try donating money to an environmental group in your area.

Get Your Company to Net Zero

Net zero carbon means your carbon footprint is down to zero. You have reduced your emissions as much as possible and then have removed carbon from the atmosphere to account for your remaining emissions. 

Getting to net zero requires a combination of tactics. You can use carbon offsetting, but you will need to reduce your energy and transportation emissions as well as other emissions. 

You should educate your employees so they know how to reduce emissions by themselves. Convene a company meeting and discuss your plan to get to net zero. Give them steps for how they can reduce emissions, including eating less meat. 

Take Control of Your Business Carbon Footprint

Your business carbon footprint needs to be brought down. Calculate your emissions using calculators and company documents. 

Start reducing your transport and energy emissions today. Switch to electric vehicles and rely on natural lighting and LED fixtures. 

Reduce how many supplies you use when you are fulfilling contracts. When you use supplies, make sure they come from recyclable materials and produce recyclable products. Offset your emissions by buying green technology and educate your employees so you get to net zero. 

Don’t forget about growing your business. Supply2Defence connects small businesses to new contracts. Register for free today.