The Net Zero Journey - What Businesses Can Do
Most businesses can make significant reductions in energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint through measuring a baseline, promoting a more sustainable culture throughout the workforce, identifying simple steps to improvement, and regular monitoring. By reducing your overheads, you can increase the competitiveness of your products or services. Moreover, customers, staff and potential employees are increasingly expecting companies to be environmentally responsible so it is likely to enhance your reputation.
If you are a SME, the SME Climate Hub is one place to start. It provides free resources and access to a business carbon calculator. You’ll be asked basic information about your size, sector, market, energy costs and spend on items such as travel. Once you have a benchmark, it is easier to set realistic and measurable targets for reduction. The UK Business Climate Hub is the UK partner of the SME Climate Hub and is a collaboration between the UK Government, businesses and business groups. It outlines 7 Steps to Sustainability, starting with the basics and progressing to topics such as international standards and product certification. Interestingly, the second step in this action plan is to involve your team. If you can change the culture at your business, then the team works together to implement changes. You also make yourself more attractive when you want to recruit.
Many companies will be able to make improvements in a number of areas. You could choose to use an ISO standard such as ISO 50005 to help you structure your approach. You could consider how you can make savings in some of the following areas:
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Lighting
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Heating and Air Conditioning
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Equipment
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Transport and Travel
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Resource and Waste Management
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Pension Investments
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Use of Outside Spaces
Lighting
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Use low energy light bulbs where possible.
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Turn off lights in empty rooms, corridors and toilets when not in use.
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Keep windows and skylights clean and clear from obstructions so that you can maximise the daylight.
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Clean light fittings annually to maximise light output.
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Consider use of motion sensors in areas that are not used continuously.
Heating & Air Conditioning
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Improve insulation.
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Upgrade to more energy efficient heating and cooling systems. Funding may be available towards this, and you may need planning permission or consent if you are making changes to your premises1 – seek advice.
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Maintain your heating system regularly.
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Switch to a renewable energy supplier.
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Set thermostats at the recommended temperatures of 19°C for offices, 16°C for workshops and 10-12°C for stores and warehouses.
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Use thermostatic radiator valves on radiators.
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Ensure the thermostat and radiators are not blocked by furniture.
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Don’t heat empty rooms.
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Keep doors closed between areas of different temperatures or fit automatic closers.
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Keep windows closed when the heating or air-conditioning is on
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Make sure external doors and windows are draught-proofed.
Equipment
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When replacing equipment, look for more energy efficient products.
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Switch off all equipment at night, and when not used.
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If you have energy intensive equipment, consider monitoring usage to understand how you can optimise.
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Turn PC monitors off when not being used.
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Only photocopy or print necessary documents and print double-sided.
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Ensure energy saving features on equipment are activated.
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Don’t place printers, PCs, or photocopiers underneath temperature sensors.
Transport and travel
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If the business provides vehicles, consider changing to electric options as vehicles are replaced or the leases expire.
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Use online meetings where they can meet objectives.
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Encourage the use of public transport, car sharing, cycling and walking for work trips and commuting.
Resource and Waste Management
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Try to reduce your production of waste – eg through better stock control, printing less etc.
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Explore options for giving away surplus or unwanted stock (eg to charities) where it is safe and legal to do so.
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Stock-take before reordering.
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Encourage reuse of resources where practical.
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Provide recycling points at your premises and educate your staff in the correct disposal of waste.
Pension Investments
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Discuss sustainable pension options with the business’s pension supplier.
Use of Outside Space
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If you have outside space, consider how you can encourage nature eg through wildflowers, bird boxes, insect piles.
 Need Further Help or Advice?
The Environment Agency provides details of legislation affecting this area.
Further Advice can be found from the Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.com.
There is additional advice and information on the Council’s website including details of any current grant schemes:
Planning & Building Guidance | Test Valley Borough Council
Grants & Funding | Test Valley Borough Council
Business Support, Resources and Events | Test Valley Borough Council
Renewable and Low Carbon Energy | Test Valley Borough Council