Set your net-zero goals
Once you have highlighted the parts of your business that need to be improved then you can start setting your targets to reduce your businesses carbon emissions. These targets can be short or long-term goals but should be aimed to be implemented by the UK Governments of net zero by 2050.
Some of the ways in which you can achieve a net-zero target within your business are:
Replace your heating boiler – When it comes to energy carbon emission, almost 40% is a result of heating. By replacing your boiler with an electric boiler or an air source heat pump, you could be well on your way to becoming a net-zero business. In the UK, 23 million homes are currently connected to the gas grid, using a boiler and wet-based central heating system according to figures by the Climate Change Committee.
Introduce a cycle to work scheme – A cycle to work scheme is just as commonplace as the mandatory ping pong table and mini bar found in many start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses. By actively encouraging you and your team to cycle to the office during the week, you could reduce a person’s carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over the year.
Minimise your product and packaging waste – According to a report from the BBC, the UK generated 222.9 million tonnes of waste in 2016, with the most common waste being food scraps, newspapers, cardboard, glass bottles and plastics. To help reduce your product and packaging waste within your business, ensure that you have recycling bins on your premises while actively encouraging a recycling culture within your company. Where possible, you should also try to avoid the use of single-use plastic and instead, use recycled materials.
Switch to LED bulbs – LED bulbs use 90% less energy and can last up to 50 per cent longer. They are also the easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce your energy consumption. According to a UK Government report, 29% of businesses have already switched to low emission lightbulbs, with a further 11% of business owners planning to switch to LED bulbs in the future.
Insulate your building – Much has been made of the social activist group Insulate Britain and their public protests while demanding that the UK Government ensure homes are insulated to be low energy by 2030. Low energy homes use less energy and use renewable energy for heating and electricity and are effective ways in achieving the net-zero goal. By insulating your workplaces windows, walls, doors and roofs you would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also ensuring you and your team are kept warm during the colder months.
Switch to electric vehicles – If your business involves the transportation of goods or offers a vehicle-based service you should consider electrifying your vehicle fleet. According to EDF Energy, just one electric car can save an average of 1.5million grams of CO2 and emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. If you drive to and from work, you may also consider switching to an electric vehicle.
Install a smart meter – By installing a smart meter within your premises you actively measure your energy, water or natural gas consumption and increase your awareness of your carbon emission usage. Installing a smart meter is usually free demanding on your supplier and can also help take control of your energy use and cost.
Change the way you use energy – From avoiding using air conditioning when windows are open, to ensuring that electrical items are switched off when not in use, being more mindful and aware of how we use energy in our daily lives can go a long way in helping achieve a zero net business. Remember to switch off lights when not in use and turn off you’re heating when it is not cold for maximum impact.
Some of the following steps are small ways in which you can save energy:
- Turn off electrical appliances when not in use and unplug devices
- Turn off your lights when you’re not using them or when not in the room or on the premises.
- Reduce your water consumption by ensuring running taps are switched off when not in use
- Keep the thermostat at a lower temperature of 17 degrees
- Use smart automated devices where you can to lower the use of energy
Switch to a renewable energy supplier – Ensure that you change to a green and renewable energy company to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are many green energy supplies based in the UK that offer 100% green gas and renewable electricity. Use a price comparison website and find the best green deals that work best for you and your business.
Go paperless – According to Toner Buzz, global paper usage has increased by 400% in the last 40 years, with the average person using more than 700 pounds of paper every year. In a digital world where many activities are online-based from email and instant messaging, cutting paper usage completely from your business can go a long way in achieving net-zero. However, if there are situations in which paper is required, you should instead consider using FSC sustainably sourced or recycled paper.
Plant trees – Turn your workspace into a green zone by planting trees in and around the area of your premises. Trees are effective in consuming carbon dioxide from the air and help reduce pollution. If you do not have the required permission to plant a tree near your office building, a minimum amount of £5 can be donated to the National Trust which will be used to plant a sapling and help create green spaces for people and wildlife to thrive.
How much will a net-zero business cost?
The major apprehension of many business owners is the cost of implementing a net-zero business, and more importantly, who will be fitting the bill for such an ambitious project.
Reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is certainly not going to be cheap, with Climate Change Committee estimating a £1.4 trillion bill to achieve the UK Governments goal of net-zero.
According to the Financial Times, this could see every household in the UK paying higher taxes or regulated prices for energy networks at an extra cost of £1,700 per year, while additional costs of switching to electric vehicles for example being paid for by the individual.
However, McKinsey proposes a plan for the European Union which it says could achieve net-zero at net zero cost.
The McKinsey report says that five sectors emit the bulk of the European Union’s greenhouse gases: 28 percent comes from transportation, 26 percent from industry, 23 percent from power, 13 percent from buildings, and 13 percent from agriculture. Across sectors, fossil fuel combustion is the biggest source of GHGs, accounting for 80 percent of emissions.
To reach net-zero, McKinsey suggests that investments and cost savings would be higher in some of these sectors than others. But if the decarbonization costs and savings were passed through to households, the aggregate cost of living for an average household in a climate-neutral European Union would be the same as it is today and lower-income households would see reduced costs of living. In other words, McKinsey found that the European Union could achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at a net-zero cost.
Under McKinsey’s cost-optimal path, EU member states would achieve climate goals collectively so they can pool their advantages and lower transition costs. For example, countries with more abundant solar resources or natural carbon sinks could help other countries offset their emissions at a lower cost than if they had to reduce emissions locally using carbon capture and storage (CCS). If member states pursued reduction targets individually rather than in aggregate, the transition cost would increase by roughly €25 per tCO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent tonnes).
McKinsey’s net-zero plan depends on an extraordinary amount of international cooperation. While the EU ponders that, in helping business owners prepare for net-zero, the UK Government have launched UK Business Climate Hub. Launched as part of the Together for our Planet ‘Business Climate Leaders’ campaign, the UK Business Hub provides business owners practical tools, resources and advice in converting their business onto the path of net-zero.
Net-zero is happening, and businesses must get on board to help achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By taking small steps now to reduce your carbon footprint, not only are you becoming a net-zero business, but you are also helping in creating a better (and greener) tomorrow.
SEE ALSO: Understanding the 17 Global Goals of Globalgoal.org