How Your Business Can Help The Planet

Climate change is real, so don’t let any politician tell you otherwise. Their denials are most likely motivated by their personal goals, not what’s right for our planet.

Forbes reported from a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that there is still optimism that can keep the global temperature to just 1.5°C, but it required a massive commitment to reducing emissions to zero by 2050.

Is Time Running Out?

Milestones needed to be met before that date to show we’re on track including the commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement signed in 2016.

Most Americans believe in climate change, so have you see any notable change happening in your industry? The USA has joined and left the Paris Accord a couple of times. President Clinton joined it, President Bush withdrew, President Obama rejoined, President Trump withdrew. Now President Biden has America rejoining it to commit that the USA will reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Own Your Carbon Footprint & Change It

There are many actions businesses can take to make a difference to their carbon footprint, especially when taken collectively, i.e., businesses acting together. You’ve heard the saying: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; so in this blog article, we mention some actions you can use in your own business and share your experiences to inspire your peers to join you.

The benefits are not just for our planet; there’s also a great business case for making changes too. Consider the benefits that will arise from changing your policy and use of energy, transport, and travel. Reducing costs and doing right for future generations that’s inspiring and worth sharing.

Start With A Plan

Develop a Climate Change Action Plan – and this will be a work in progress. It will take time, but you need to start somewhere and commit to reaching some milestones that reduce your emissions.

Teamwork

Assign a team to the campaign project and choose a leader. It will surprise you just how much interest there is in doing good and how inclusion in the project will increase overall productivity and staff satisfaction.

Open Invitation Meetings

Regular meetings with an open invitation so all workers can attend and participate in the discussion. Maybe the ideas presented will see rewards for the business, including customers electing to buy from your business due to its climate change policy and over your competition.

Attracting staff may become easier too as they want to get from their work than just their pay packet.

Supply Chain

Consider your supply chain and where change can happen. You’ll be surprised where you can get a win-win, with cost savings and positive change in worker well being. Mentioned earlier in this article are areas all businesses can start on. Travel, transport, and energy use are within the business’s control, so a commitment to use less or a different approach will reduce your carbon footprint and provide other rewards.

Energy

Where is your business using energy, and where’s it coming from – i.e. the source? Consider moving using solar power and renewable energies.

Would you need your current premises if your staff could work from home and desk share when they’re in the office?

Transport

Swapping out your petrol or diesel vehicles for electric cars and trucks.

Technology

Use technology to cut down on your business travel and its carbon footprint. Videochat or conferencing, VOIP, are excellent tools for online meetings with clients, suppliers, and selling your services. Imagine the cost savings for a business without long-haul travel!

Summary

Climate change is real, and time is running out before we experience catastrophic and devasting outcomes, with the loss of many lives. There is a lot we can control to reduce emissions and, at the same time, reap the rewards for standing up and being counted as a climate-conscious enterprise.