The Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality for IT Businesses.
With the effects of climate change becoming more and more evident, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to do their part for the environment. While going green is inherently good for our planet, it has a host of other benefits; for example, it will likely improve your company's public image and competitiveness, attract and motivate employees, and lower your operating costs.
Owing to these factors, a recent survey found that 83% of Techies Go Green signatories aim to become carbon-neutral by 2025. This is an impressive goal - but how can companies actually achieve it?
Read on to learn about the eight simple steps on the Techies Go Green roadmap towards carbon neutrality.
1. Switch to a green electricity provider
Electricity from non-renewable sources is often a major contributor to a company's overall emissions, especially in the IT/tech sector. Switching to a renewable electricity provider is a relatively quick and easy first step to take towards carbon neutrality.
Unlike energy produced from fossil fuels, renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power has no emissions associated with it. Additionally, the cost of renewable energy is highly competitive and decreasing all the time. Businesses in Ireland and the UK can find lists of suppliers offering renewable energy here.
2. Measure your company's carbon footprint
Achieving carbon neutrality necessitates examining your business as a whole and identifying the key sources of emissions that need to be reduced. The most straightforward way to do this is by measuring your company's carbon footprint. This work can either be done internally or can be outsourced to a third-party consultant. Once you know exactly what your company's emissions are and where they are coming from, managing them becomes a lot easier.
3. Reduce energy usage and improve energy efficiency
Conserving energy and improving energy efficiency are essential to minimise your heat and electricity emissions, particularly if you rely on fossil fuels such as gas or oil for your heat supply. Even if you use renewable electricity, only using what you absolutely need is still important in order to minimise pressure on the grid.
Conserving energy can be achieved through simple measures that many of us already take, such as switching off electronics when not in use and only turning on heaters when really necessary. Improving energy efficiency involves structural measures such as improving your building's insulation and ensuring that all company appliances have good energy ratings. If your building is well-insulated, installing a heat pump is an excellent way to provide carbon-free heat to your business.
Although these measures can be expensive, they will pay off in the long term through savings in emissions and reductions in energy bills. Your business may be eligible for grants to help improve its energy efficiency.
Options to reduce energy usage and improve energy efficiency. Image source: Minnesota Power
4. Minimise waste
Waste management needs to be considered throughout your entire company as well as your products' life cycles from production to end of life. Although it will likely be impossible to eliminate waste entirely, ensure that you reduce waste (especially non-recyclable materials such as certain plastics) as much as possible. Whatever waste you do produce should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner - for example, electronics should be recycled and food waste should be composted.
5. Greenify your transportation
Any fuel-powered vehicles that your business owns are likely to be major sources of emissions. There has never been more options for electric vehicles than at the present moment, and supply is forecasted to continue increasing over the coming years as governments aim to phase out fuel-powered cars. The next time you purchase a vehicle for your fleet, consider electric options. You should also encourage employees to commute by walking, cycling, or taking public transport rather than driving.
6. Offset any remaining emissions
Carbon offsetting can be defined as reducing or sequestering carbon emissions in one area in order to compensate for emissions made in another area. After you have taken steps to reduce your emissions as much as possible, you should offset whatever is left over through a scheme verified by a reputable third party such as Gold Standard.
Once you have done this, congratulations - your company is carbon-neutral!
7. Enshrine carbon reduction measures into company policy
Although you have achieved carbon neutrality, your work is not finished yet. It is essential to integrate all measures taken to monitor, control, and continually reduce emissions into company policy to ensure that your company has a united approach to managing its environmental impacts in the future. These measures should be outlined in a location accessible to all employees such as the employee handbook and should be highlighted in the onboarding process for future employees.
You could also create an environmental management system (EMS) to simplify the process of managing your environmental impacts and improving your performance. Having a certified EMS is a great way to strengthen your company's green credentials.
8. Spread the word
A large proportion of most companies' emissions are indirect and come from upstream/downstream activities in their value chain. Now that you have done everything you can to reduce and control your company's direct emissions, you are in a position where you can advocate for the importance of sustainability in business. Reach out to partners in your value chain and chat with them about the mutual benefits of making their practices more sustainable. Share with them things you have learned and resources you have found helpful. For example, you could encourage them to become a member of Techies Go Green!
Start your journey with Techies Go Green.
If you want to learn more about sustainability and what your company can do to help the environment, consider joining Techies Go Green.
Techies Go Green is a movement dedicated to decarbonising IT and tech-oriented companies through collaborating and sharing knowledge. Membership is open to both companies and individuals within the UK and Ireland. We would love to have you join and to help you in your journey towards sustainability and decarbonisation.
Membership is FREE and open to UK and Irish businesses in the tech sector.