Carbon is a current hot topic for businesses. Every business, regardless of size is required to consider ways to cut down and reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. It is the case that UK is the first nation to establish standards for carbon offset schemes and it makes business sense to reduce carbon emissions and offset carbon emissions.
Reducing energy consumption and traveling are among the easiest ways to decrease carbon emissions however carbon offsets can be employed as a business strategy. Customers are increasingly asking questions regarding what your company is doing to lessen the impact of your business. There are answers. First, you need to determine precisely what your business’s carbon footprint is, and then act on it.
What is my company’s carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint an indication of the effect human activities impact the environment in terms the amount of greenhouse gas created. Since carbon is among the largest gases created, carbon footprints are determined in terms of carbon dioxide units. Small businesses’ primary carbon producers are travel and energy. It’s simple and easy to estimate your carbon footprint. All you have to be aware of is annual use of energy and your travel mileage. Use carbon-based calculator, and adhere to the straightforward steps. It takes only a few minutes to determine your company’s carbon footprint, however you have to figure out what you can do with the results. Alongside reducing the use of the use of energy and transportation, you might decide to offset a portion or all the carbon emissions that your business generates. Select a reliable company to offset your carbon.
What exactly are carbon offsets?
Carbon offsets allow people and organizations to decrease the impact of carbon emissions. Carbon offsets enable carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gasses) to be eliminated of the atmosphere or reduced another region of the globe. There are a variety of ways to offset one’s carbon footprint. It is possible to plant a tree. Trees breathe carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. This process is referred to as carbon sequestration’. It is also possible to buy carbon dioxide credits, and then not utilize the credits. This prevents other individuals, organizations and nations from making use of these credits. Another option is to donate or invest to organisations or businesses that study and develop sustainable and renewable technology. You can also purchase energy-efficient technologies and then give them to countries in need.
What are the advantages for business of carbon offset?
Customers will be more likely to come to you to begin. If your company offsets its carbon, you’ll show your green credentials, improve your public relations as well as brand and marketing leadership. Customers who are currently customers will be happy and, if you have shareholders, they will also be pleased. Based on the business you offset with, you could be eligible to use an offsetting quality seal which can further help boost your the business. Offsetting shows your commitment to environmental sustainability and will also impress potential investors looking to make a bet on your eco-friendly company.
Offsetting can be utilized as an advertising tool to increase retention of customers, gain new customers and assist in attracting the most talented employees to your company (and employees will be directly involved in the issue of climate change as well as the impact on your business). Additionally, you can reduce the chance of being removed from any supply chain due to environmental issues and you will be able to comply with the obligations under the law and your corporate social responsibility needs. Certain companies already have restrictions, while others being regulated voluntarily. Most likely, every company will eventually be subject to regulation and if you begin now you’ll be ready.
Offsetting is an efficient way to get customers in your services or products. You can, for instance, provide carbon-friendly rewards to customers who purchase your products, for instance offering 100 grams of carbon per each PS1 you spend. It’s very efficient. You could also offer your customers the option of offset their carbon footprint as part of the deal. Perhaps offsets of company emissions could be a part of an overall plan for environmental management. If you organize events or events, you might be able to fix any environmental harm. In essence, you decide what is best for your needs.
What can I do to offset?
Determine what you would like to be able to offset. Your business operations, your customers’ usage of services and products as well as your products and services, or maybe your events? If you want to offset greenhouse gas emissions that your business generates start by calculating your business’s carbon footprint.
Which businesses should you pick to offset your costs with?
It should be easy however it’s not. There are fraudulent schemes, as well as many that aren’t transparent and inconsistent. The government has recently released the release of a consultation document in the hope of creating a “gold standard” which should be beneficial. However, it only announced four companies out of 61 UK offset companies, which seem to meet the guidelines. Pure, Global Cool, Equiclimate and Carbon Offsets have been named by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
For more information on how to trade carbon credits, visit this website.
Therefore, your company can choose among these. These can provide consumers with the assurance that when they purchase offsets, they will spend the money on projects that will result in carbon dioxide emissions reductions. However, there’s a caveat. The standards set by the government are based on the current Kyoto carbon market, where carbon is only traded in offset projects that go through a rigorous process of certification like that offered by the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Naturally, these schemes are focused on large-scale enterprises that are a part of those from the UN or the EU’s climate reduction program. smaller, more voluntary projects seeking to cut carbon emissions at an individual level are exempted. For instance, less than 1 percent of Kyoto-qualifying schemes are located in Africa However, the majority of the projects funded by offsets offered by voluntary organizations are located situated on the continent. Therefore, if you’re looking to support smaller-scale projects, then you’ll need to consider other options. A lot of smaller ones are excellent even though they haven’t been approved by the government but some may receive it once the guidelines are finalized. For instance, First Choice Holidays and lastminute.com have pledged to meet the guidelines at the at the end of the year.
Businesses should offset their carbon emissions with businesses they are comfortable with.
It is crucial that offsets are not used as a reason to avoid other aspects. Your company does not wish to create the impression that just a little bit of carbon offset will relieve it from the obligation of cutting emissions.