Most people understand how important it is for all of us to do what we can to tackle climate change. By doing what you can to reduce your carbon footprint not only will you know that you are doing the right thing but so will your customers and everyone in your supply chain. That will help you to keep ahead of your competitors and enable you to seize the benefits of being climate savvy.

So how do I go about it?

You need to take a systematic approach, this includes identifying the sources of emissions that are ingrained in your activities, setting achievable targets, creating a strategy to help you to reduce emissions, and enacting a method to enable you to track your progress over time. Here are some steps that you can take:

1. Conduct a carbon footprint assessment: This involves identifying the sources of your organisation’s emissions and calculating your carbon footprint. This will help you to prioritise which actions you can take to reduce emissions and enable you to set targets for emissions reductions.
2. Set emissions reduction targets: Based on your carbon footprint assessment, you can set targets for emissions reductions. These targets should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). It is important to make sure that these targets align with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
3. Implement measures to reduce emissions: Based on your carbon footprint assessment and emissions reduction targets, you will be able to identify and implement measures to reduce your emissions. These measures may include:

• Improving your energy efficiency: This could include upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, improving your insulation, and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
• Switching to renewable energy: This could include installing solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal heating and cooling systems.
• Implementing sustainable transport options: This could include encouraging members of staff to use public transport or car sharing, promoting flexible working and utilising technology to have remote meetings, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles.
• Reducing waste: This could include the reduction of printed matter, recycling waste, and composting organic matter.
• Procuring sustainable products and services: This could include sourcing products and services from sustainable suppliers.

4. Track progress and report on emissions reductions: To maximise the benefit of your actions it is important to track progress towards your emissions reduction targets and report on your organisation's emissions reductions. This will help you to identify areas where further improvements could be made and to demonstrate your organisation's commitment to reducing emissions.

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In short, reducing your organisation's carbon emissions requires a systematic approach that includes identifying the sources of your organisation’s emissions, setting targets, implementing measures to reduce emissions, and tracking your progress over time. These positive steps will help you to prepare for future challenges, be more agile and invest in forward-looking, efficient technology.

Carbon Sense have been helping many small to medium size organisations in Cornwall and throughout the UK to calculate their carbon footprint and take manageable steps to reduce their carbon emissions in line with Net Zero targets.