Small actions, big impact: simple things businesses can implement to reduce their carbon footprint

With more extreme weather events occurring around the globe, several major cities experiencing ‘climate flips’, and the decimation of climate protections by the US government, it can be easy to feel helpless and powerless in the fight against climate change.

However, reducing our carbon footprint doesn’t have to entail significant costs or drastic lifestyle changes to have an impact. Here are eleven simple but effective, sustainability practices businesses can adopt –

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1. Measure your carbon footprint
2. Invest in renewable energy
3. Optimise energy efficiency
4. Implement a remote work policy
5.  Limit business travel
6. Implement an efficient waste disposal system
7. Adopt a green procurement policy
8. Support local sustainability initiatives
9. Engage your team
10. Offset your carbon emissions
11. Measure your impact

Measure your carbon footprint

The first step in reducing your carbon footprint is to understand your current impact, allowing you to set a baseline. When measuring your carbon footprint, it is necessary to look at three scopes:

Scope 1: The emissions created directly by your organisation (e.g. emissions created from fuelling company cars).

Scope 2: The indirect emissions created by your organisation (e.g. emissions created from the generation of electricity used in your buildings).

Scope 3: The indirect emissions that occur because of your business’ activity (e.g. emissions created in employees’ commute).

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Image credit: Zevero

By setting this baseline you will identify areas for improvement and establish measurable goals for success.

Invest in renewable energy

One of the greatest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by investing in renewable energy sources to power your business. While the initial investment may be high, the long-term cost savings of using renewable energy are well documented.

Optimise your energy efficiency

Another effective method for reducing your carbon footprint is to optimise your energy efficiency. Make sure you are –

• Switching off lights when those areas are not in use (or install lighting timers).
• Turning off appliances and monitors at the socket when not in use.
• Timing your heating and cooling systems when employees are in the office and consider switching them off over weekends and breaks.
• Insulating doors and windows to reduce heat loss.
• Investing in tools such as smart meters and energy-efficient lightbulbs.
• While these may seem like obvious actions, nearly half of business’ electricity usage occurs outside of standard operating hours.

Implementing the above practices will help reduce your carbon footprint.
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Implement a remote work policy

One of the benefits to come out of the Covid pandemic is the rise in remote working. For an organisation, a remote work policy can reduce your carbon footprint – allowing your employees to work from home even once a week means you’re significantly reducing the number of people commuting every day, and the associated emissions.

You can also help support your employees to switch to renewable home energy suppliers, bringing them carbon reduction benefits in their own home.

Limit business travel

Transportation accounts for a significant portion of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing business travel, where possible, makes a significant impact on your business’ carbon footprint. Seriously consider whether business travel is necessary, or whether meetings can be held remotely. Where travel is unavoidable, encourage your team to carpool, use Electric Vehicles, or use public transport.

Implement an efficient waste disposal programme

Ensure you’re providing bins for recycling, composting, and general waste. To ensure effectiveness, educate your employees on how to use these systems correctly – a 2024 survey found that only 9% of UK citizens feel ‘very confident’ about what can, and cannot be recycled, with the majority (58%) feeling ‘mostly confident’.

Adopt a green procurement policy

Reduce your Scope 3 emissions by sourcing office supplies and products from sustainable – and preferably local – retailers. Do your research and ethical and responsible organisations to partner with.

Support local sustainability initiatives

For your next team building activity, participate in a sustainability initiative such as a community clean up. Your team members will bond while also feeling they’ve made a meaningful contribution, boosting engagement and satisfaction. Every year, the team at Transform Comms participates in a community clean up . It’s a tradition we hold dear for a cause close to our hearts.

Engage your team

Offer training and information sessions on sustainability practices. Encourage and incentivise your team to implement sustainability practices into their day-to-day lives. Employee involvement is key to successful implementation of sustainability strategies and when an employee believes in their company’s values, they are more engaged, motivated and productive.

Equally, there are inventive initiatives that combine training and development with charitable causes. Visit our friends at Fusion Initiatives to see this in action.

Offset your carbon emissions

After reducing your carbon footprint as much as possible, offset your remaining emissions. This shouldn’t be the first solution in your sustainability plan – offsetting should complement your reduction efforts, not replace them.

Measure and report your impact

Measuring your impact is extremely important. Using KPIs to assess your effectiveness will show where you are delivering real impact, and where you still need to refine your strategies for improvement.

Report on what you have achieved and also lay out a clear plan for future improvements. Do remember, perfection doesn’t exist, landscapes and priorities change. As long as you show your commitment, communicate clearly and have a plan for your journey – with milestones to achieve – you will record the positive impact you’re making, the challenges you have overcome, and the future challenges that you will aim to address.

What are the benefits of implementing more sustainable policies?

For businesses, there are a number of benefits to increasing your sustainability efforts:‍

• Regulatory compliance and risk management: Businesses operating in the UK are subject to laws relating to environmental protection and carbon reduction targets. By complying with regulations, you avoid fines, legal issues and operational disruptions. Legislation lags though so you can outperform competitors who are waiting for regulation to comply with reporting requirements.
• The ability to plan, rather than react: Sustainability measures are about being strategically strong for future growth and development. Over the next 5-10 years, regulatory requirements will only increase. By acting now, businesses have the opportunity to plan for success, rather than scrambling to keep up down the line.
• Enhanced reputation and brand value: Consumers are increasingly prioritising companies that are environmentally engaged. Businesses that demonstrate that they are taking action to reduce their carbon footprint build stronger customer trust and loyalty, enhancing long-term profitability.
• Cost savings and efficiency: Businesses that invest in energy-efficient operations and waste reduction initiatives often yield long-term financial benefits, as implementing solutions such as solar panels or energy efficient solutions, reduce expenses over time.
• Employee engagement and retention: Ethical business practices improve workplace culture, job satisfaction and attract top talent, particularly when it comes to younger generations

Our partner organisation Action Net Zero CIC has some fantastic guides on how to reduce your environmental impact at work. Visit here for guide on how to Take Action at Work.

Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how you can embed sustainability communications to engage your people, your suppliers and your industry as part of your ESG strategy.