How Employees and Businesses can Reduce their Carbon Footprint

December 21 2022 - The emission of carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases, is something that concerns businesses and consumers alike. This concern is reflected in government policy, too. For example, we might look at the proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, which will come about in 2030. According to a 2022 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, only drastic and immediate action can avert a future catastrophe.

The economy of the future, if there is to be a future, is therefore one that will operate in a far less carbon-intensive way. Promising technologies like nuclear fusion and widespread wind power might have a role to play in the future - but what simple things can businesses do, right now?

Office-based businesses

Office buildings can be made more energy-efficient in a number of ways. You might install insulation in the roof or replace the double-glazing. You might bring in a more efficient boiler, a ground-source heat pump, or an air-conditioning system.

But perhaps just as important as your premises are your working practices. Incentivising employees to come to work via low-polluting means, like cycling or walking, can make a big difference. The same might be said of carpooling. It’s better for four people to arrive in the same car than in different cars. You’ll save on space in your car park, too.

Offering employees the chance to work from home might be beneficial, too, as it will reduce the amount of travel required. But we should consider that home workers might spend more on heating their separate homes than they would if they congregated in a single shared working space.

What to do if you struggle to make the switch

Adopting these practices might not be straightforward. There are certain kinds of business, after all, which rely heavily on practices which are inherently polluting. If you feel that you need expert assistance, then it might be a good idea to get in touch with a specialist energy transition law firm.

Hands-on businesses

If you’re working with your hands, rather than at a desk, then you might face a different set of carbon-related challenges and opportunities. If you’re doing a lot of driving, then you might make the switch to a more efficient electric vehicle or adopt more efficient driving practices. This applies especially in major cities, which will be rolling out increasingly stringent low-emission charges as time goes on.

Looking for materials and equipment that save energy can be invaluable, too. You might look to the second-hand market, where the items on offer are vastly more energy-saving compared to the new equivalent. In general, adopt a principle of repairing rather than replacing.

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