Business emissions: How you can reduce them

All businesses want to become greener – it sounds like a simple target, but it can often seem hard to achieve. The reality is there are a few methods that you can implement, without excessive effort or cost, that will start your journey towards net-zero.

Firstly, let’s recap what your emissions consist of. Then we will explain what you can do to reduce them.

What type of emissions are you responsible for?

Scope 1 Emissions

Scope 1 emissions are those that are emitted directly as a result of a company’s activity. This refers to emissions from company cars, offices, and warehouses, including those caused by the combustion of fuel in furnaces/boilers as well as petrol and diesel. They’re simple to track and simple to reduce.

Scope 2 Emissions

Scope 2 emissions are those that you’re responsible for, but indirectly. Although you are accountable for the emissions, you have no influence over how they will affect the environment as it’s beyond your control. The emissions from purchased power, heating and cooling all go into these categories. They’re slightly harder to reduce easily.

Scope 3 Emissions

Scope 3 includes all emissions that come from the buying, selling, and general operations of your business. Most prospects for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and costs for many businesses are found outside of their own operations. This makes it hard for your business to combat these emissions without a serious, concerted effort from your industry or nation.

How to find out your current business emission levels

A carbon consultant will be able to explore your business’ emissions over scopes 1, 2 and 3. This will give you a measure of what emissions your offices, staff and materials are responsible for.

How much you know about your processes and providers will be important in determining your emission levels. The more information you can provide, the more accurate your tracking and guidance will be.

Reducing emissions from your business

There are plenty of ways to reduce your emissions, across scopes 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 emissions are often the simplest to reduce. Moving to hybrid work structures, investing in a fleet of EVs or reducing energy usage over downtime (evenings and weekends) are quick ways to go green without upending your existing premises or business practice.

Scope 2 emissions can be reduced with the help of a low carbon consultant such as one of the team here at Demiurgic Consulting Engineers. We can advise on the installation of more energy-efficient technology within your property or business premises. Installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, or investing in your insulation to cut heating costs, can all significantly affect the carbon emissions of your business. Heat pumps are another great way to reduce costs, with EDF claiming they can cut your carbon emissions by more than 23 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years.

As for scope 3 emissions, industries or individuals can lobby their suppliers, energy providers and even governing bodies (local, national and global) to change the way their industries operate. With enough commitment from enough people, as we’ve seen with COP26 and the Paris Climate act, there will be a positive change.

The benefits of reducing your emissions

Surprisingly to some, there are serious financial benefits to switching to renewables. Especially in the current financial climate, it’s becoming more appealing to invest in solar and renewable sources on-site for many businesses. This will reduce emissions as well as costs.

It feels great to be a part of something bigger than just your business. By joining others in reducing carbon emissions, you’re creating a positive change in your industry and for our environment. The positive PR attached to being carbon neutral or even carbon positive is a huge selling point for millennials and Gen-Z staff as well as customers; useful if you are hoping to attract your industry’s next generation of rising stars to your organisation.

Looking for expert guidance?

A low carbon consultant can help explore the options available to your business to reduce emissions and keep our planet greener for longer.

Demiurgic Consulting Engineers is a specialist building services design practice, as well as experienced low carbon consultants. With our assistance, you can make sure that your current property portfolio or new construction is optimised for energy efficiency, cost savings, and a decrease in carbon emissions.

Want to talk to an expert and start your journey toward lower emissions? Visit our contact page to get in touch now.