TL;DR SMEs can adopt several straightforward and effective measures to reduce their CO2 footprint while enhancing environmental awareness within their organization, all without requiring significant investments.
These quick wins, such as implementing a sustainable travel policy and minimizing data storage, are not only easy to implement but also deliver immediate results.
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Introduction: What is a CO2-Footprint?
As the tale of Tom Thumb reminds us, our footprint leaves significant marks. Consequently, companies are increasingly challenged by governments, employees, and consumers to reduce their ecological impact. 82% of Dutch SMEs undertook efforts last year to reduce their CO2-footprint.
The CO2-footprint reflects the environmental effect an organization has on the planet through the emissions generated by its operations (scope 1-2-3 emissions).
While transitioning to sustainable business practices can seem daunting, there are numerous quick wins available to help you start significantly reducing your company's environmental impact.
Curious about your company's CO2 footprint? Try our 'Footprint Navigator' to find out.
Opportunities to implement quick wins exist across all business operations
The implementation of a CO2 reduction strategy requires a comprehensive approach that examines every aspect of your organization. You’ll find that decisions ranging from building management to transportation and office supplies directly affect your company’s CO2 footprint. Below is an overview of several ‘applicable-to-all’ measures , referred to as quick wins, that can help lower your organization’s CO2 emissions.
Discover more about how a CO2 strategy can assist your company in reducing its footprint
Practical solutions to reduce the CO2 footprint of your business premises
You don’t need to own your business premises to lower the CO2 footprint of its use. Consider the following steps:
• Water savings: To meet climate targets, we need to reduce water usage by 20%. Vitens, the largest drinking water company in the Netherlands, can assist you with this. They offer a water scan for large business users to identify savings opportunities; in some cases, it is possible to use up to 40% less water. Additionally, Vitens provides a business information sheet outlining the importance of sustainable water use and a step-by-step plan filled with water-saving measures.
• Implement smart temperature control: Use energy management systems to optimize heating and cooling, minimizing energy consumption and reducing the need for artificial climate control. This explainer from Milieu Centraal can help you make the right choice for a smart thermostat.
• Install LED lighting: LEDs consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, thus reducing energy consumption and associated emissions. This explainer will assist you in replacing and installing your LED lighting.
• Apply insulating window film: Purchase insulating window film to improve the insulation value of single and double glazing. Check out this explainer from Milieu Centraal to choose the right window film
Reduce costs and your CO2 footprint with a sustainable travel policy
• Encourage remote work: 45% of Dutch people work from home at least once a week. It’s a good choice for the environment and your work-life balance. After all, who likes sitting in traffic? Luckily, there are alternatives.
• Promote biking and public transport: By offering employees discounts or subsidized public transport tickets, you can facilitate and encourage environmentally friendly commuting. This approach can reduce your company’s CO2 emissions by up to 35%. Additionally, it is much cheaper. In this explainer, the Chamber of Commerce (KVK explains how an employee reimbursement for commuting via public transport is 40-70% cheaper than a leasing plan or car reimbursement.
• Implement a stricter company air travel policy: Limit unnecessary flights and only allow air travel for trips longer than eight hours by train, while encouraging train travel wherever possible. The AndersReizen coalition, comprising some of the Netherlands' largest corporations such as KPN, Philips, and ASML, has already set a precedent! Their insights are now compiled in the Flight Guide, a roadmap for making your organization's travel and flight policy more sustainable.
You are what you eat; offer sustainable office meals
26% of our environmental impact comes from food production: As illustrated in the graph below, dairy and beef have a significantly large impact on climate change. Offer vegetarian, non-dairy, local, and seasonal food options, and encourage sustainable catering practices to reduce your company’s environmental impact.
Other quick wins:
• Form a ‘green team’: Establish a sustainability committee composed of engaged colleagues to promote sustainable initiatives, enhance employee involvement, and integrate creative solutions into your company culture. The Green Business Club has prepared a guide for setting up a Green Team within your organization.
• Minimize data storage: Did you know that the energy required to store data in data centers and in the cloud accounts for approximately 6% of global emissions? Switch to a sustainable browser like Ecosia and encourage employees to delete unnecessary data, such as irrelevant emails and outdated documents.
• Did you know the average office worker disposes of up to 200 paper cups a year? Invest in reusable coffee cups.
• Use green cleaning products: Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products that minimize environmental impact and potential health risks. Check out this guide for eco-friendly cleaning tips.
• Choose sustainable giveaways for events: Offer environmentally friendly promotional items made from recycled materials, organic cotton, or sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic items. Visit the Ecogiving webshop for inspiration.
Conclusion
Reducing your company’s CO2 footprint can be both straightforward and cost-effective. By initiating quick wins, such as implementing a sustainable travel policy, conserving energy and water, and minimizing data storage, you can quickly realize significant improvements.
These measures not only benefit the environment but often result in cost savings and increased employee engagement. By making informed choices in every aspect of your operations, you can positively impact climate goals and ensure your company’s sustainability in the long term.
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Looking for extra info?
Want to know more about CO2 management through tooling? ➔ Discover the top 10 carbon footprint calculators in our explainer article
➔ Learn how to calculate your company’s CO2 impact with our step-by-step guide
➔ Discover all Regreener’s Carbon Footprint Calculator has to offer
Want to know the difference between carbon neutrality and net zero? Read our article that clearly compares both concepts.
➔ Learn more about the difference between carbon neutral & net zero
Keen to understand how CO₂ is measured and reduced? Read our articles on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and CO₂ emissions factors.
➔ Learn more about Scope 1-2-3 emissions
➔ Learn more about CO₂ emissions factors
Curious how to communicate sustainably and credibly? Read our articles on the do’s and don’ts of sustainable messaging and authentic green marketing.
➔ Discover the do’s and don’ts for green marketing
➔ Learn more about greenwashing & authentic communication
Want to build a credible green reputation? Explore the best sustainability frameworks and certification systems.
➔ Learn more about sustainable frameworks and certificates
Looking for ways to combine sustainability with profit?
➔ Learn more about quick wins for cost-effective reduction of your CO2 footprint
➔ Find out why sustainable companies will are becoming increasingly profitable
Looking for a meaningful way to offset your CO₂ emissions and support nature?
➔ Discover the 5 best tree planting organizations in the Netherlands
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