Small Businesses
If you are a business owner, it can seem overwhelming to be required to take green issues into account in every financial decision. But there are basic steps which can make any business greener, an lay foundations for you to naturally be considering the climate when making financial decisions.
1) Make it easier to recycle
Most people recycle as a matter of course in their homes, but at work it’s all too often a different story. Placing a standard paper bin under every desk is a good way to encourage landfill waste, so work out how you can make recycling bins accessible to even your busiest employees. Invest in clear labelling too; this helps them find the right bins for each piece of recycling and saves time.
2) Encourage low-carbon commuting
This can come in a number of forms, from a ride-to-work scheme to season ticket loans for public transport. If people must drive, consider ways to encourage car-pooling, perhaps with an incentive for people who save the most car journeys per month.
3) Get a smart meter
Smart meters are a brilliant way to save energy, protect the environment and keep a lid on your organisation’s cost base.
By tracking power use in near-real time, employees have more control over the energy consumed within your business. Set challenges to reduce the money everyone spends on energy each month and reward employees, perhaps using the money saved. Contact your energy supplier to find out about getting a smart meter for your small business.
4) Check the supply chain
Look at the businesses you buy from: are they environmentally friendly or major polluters? By comparing your supply chain with competitors in the same market, you’ll get a good picture of which firms follow best practice.
5) Improve communications in your business
The coronavirus pandemic forced all businesses to re-evaluate their communications technology, in many cases leading to investment in both hardware and software applications.
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In future, these upgrades will come in useful to reduce the number of unnecessary in-person meetings. Instead of flying to that event in Geneva, you could just as easily use Zoom, Skype or Teams.
Whether you have a relatively small business or a large business, it is important to address climate change in your company’s key financial decisions. Finance has such a significant role in tackling the infamous crisis so understanding and adapting through the situation in your investments will help your business and also aid the long-term battle.