7 Simple Ways to Start Saving on Carbon

Updated: January 5, 2024
Lowering business emissions may seem daunting, but no matter what the size or sector of your operation, it’s simple to make a start at taking a more sustainable approach.

Improving the energy efficiency of your business needn’t require upfront costs or investment. As a starting point, implement simple measures which are free or cost-effective, for a viable way to start your journey towards Net Zero.

1. Improve energy efficiency
Consuming less energy means you could save while lessening the impact of your carbon footprint. Smart meters can help your business to chart energy use, giving detailed information on consumption and costs in real time. Understanding these insights may help to make more cost-effective changes across your operation, with no up-front or installation costs.

2. Switch to direct debit
Direct Debit payments offer lower associated carbon emissions. Direct Debits with paper billing have a carbon footprint of 73.36g of CO2 per year, compared to 591.36g for cheques. Direct Debits with paperless billing lowers this figure to just 35.51g of C02 per year. So, it’s well worth rethinking how you make your payments.

3. Cutdown on emails
This might not spring to mind in terms of taking a greener approach, but emails have environmental costs attached. In 2019, an estimated 64 million unnecessary emails were sent in the UK each day, amounting to 16,433 tonnes of CO2. Pick up the phone or hit video call instead for greener communications.

4. Overcrowding the cloud?
Cloud-based storage or server-based activities rely on an energy-intensive data centre. This activity contributes carbon unless powered by a renewable energy provider, which presents your business with an opportunity to reduce IT-related emissions.

5. Remote working
Providing staff with a flexible, remote working option brings a huge reduction to business and transport emissions. Transport accounts for around one-fifth of global CO2 emissions, so there is scope for large reductions in collective emissions, which can be supported by online collaboration and less commuting.

6. Recycle it!
Recycling reduces your organisation’s carbon footprint and also promotes a greener working culture. A ton of recycled paper can save up to 17 trees from deforestation, as well as 7000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 4000 kWh energy, and 3 cubic yards of landfill space. Well worth a few seconds of shredding.

7. Sustainable Suppliers
Along with ensuring your business is sustainable, support suppliers with ISO 14001 or CarbonNeutral® certification. This proves an organisation has environmental management and is improving resource efficiency and waste reduction.

GEAB provide expert energy advice tailored to any budget. Call GEAB today to discuss how your business can start to lower emissions, from 9am to 5pm, on 0191 303 7750.