We aim to help local businesses across Northern Ireland join the green revolution by switching to 100% locally generated, renewable electricity. As the UK works towards achieving its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we have highlighted 5 top tips to help reduce your business’s carbon footprint and adopt a greener future.
Reduce water waste
Water waste is often overlooked when considering ways to reduce your carbon footprint. However, water usage is one of the largest contributing factors to energy consumption.
By lowering your water wastage, your business can benefit from saving money on water bills whilst improving your environmental impact.
You can reduce water waste by habitualising simple tasks such as only boiling the amount of water that is needed, installing more efficient pipe systems, repairing leaks faster or using aerated faucets. Simple repairs including fixing dripping taps or running toilets will also help to drastically reduce your water usage over time.
Switch to 100% locally generated green electricity
By switching to a reliable, renewable electricity provider such as 3T Power, you can significantly lower your business’s carbon footprint. We take pride in connecting local generators to numerous businesses across Northern Ireland, supplying green electricity sourced from the wind, sun, water and waste. There are numerous benefits to switching to 100% locally generated green electricity, including improving your marketability, preparing your business for future legislation, supporting the local economy, reducing reliance on imported fuel sources, and saving money on your energy bills.
Reduce emissions from travel
Did you know that aviation is responsible for 12% and road transport for 74% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources? The Covid-19 pandemic has shed light on the effects of travel emissions on our atmosphere, showing that with reduced travel and aviation, we could continue to see a decline of 6.4% in CO2 emissions. The pandemic therefore unveiled the need to reconsider the necessity of travel for business purposes. With the normalisation of online conferencing via Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom, it has become easier for businesses to reduce their emissions from travel, and these temporary measures being taken now during lockdown can be extended beyond the pandemic with ease.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Businesses often overlook sustainable procurement when thinking of ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and instead look towards the more widely acknowledged methods of recycling by separating plastics from cardboard and putting them into their assigned bins.
However, sustainable procurement looks towards the conscious thinking and sourcing of recycled materials to be used within the workspace. Such materials can include recycled paper, refurbished phones and IT equipment and reusable cutlery or cups. By engaging your workforce in sustainable procurement as well as the more conventional methods of reducing, reusing and recycling, you can guarantee a reduction in your business’ carbon footprint and support of sustainable supply chain.
Increase the efficiency of your lighting
There are numerous methods to increase the efficiency of the lighting within your office space, including opting for LED or energy saving bulbs, or installing solar panels on to the roof of your building. Other options include making the most of natural lighting in your workspace, which can help reduce money on your electricity bills and has also been found to improve sleep and health risks that are associated with unnatural lighting and improve staff well-being. Therefore, by taking the necessary steps to improving the efficiency of your office lighting, you can reduce money on your electricity bill whilst reducing your carbon footprint.
Find out how more about how switching green energy supplier could benefit your business here.