Why go Green?
Within the office environment, we have become used to the 24/7
convenience of electricity being available whenever we need it.
However, if the whole world consumed as much resource as the UK
did, we'd need three planets to support us!
Qualify for tenders
Moral obligation isn't the only reason to start thinking
green. Larger companies often demand green credentials within
their supply chains. Research by government agency NetRegs, a
provider of environmental guidance to businesses, shows that
95% of contractors are more likely to contract with firms that
prove they are green.
"In a poll of 14,500 people
in 15 countries, more than half said they were active ethical
consumers".
BBC
(survey by Fairtrade)
Save money
It goes without saying that using
energy-efficient technologies and watching your output will reduce
consumption and associated cost. If you're interested in
purchasing energy-efficient lighting, boilers, insulation etc. or
low-emission vehicles, businesses can now obtain
Enhanced Capital Allowances
and even get
interest free loans.
If your business uses more than a domestic level of energy,
there is an additional climate change levy added to energy bills.
If you use less energy, the tax paid is reduced. Simple!
Improve stakeholder relations
The figures already show that the majority are concerned about
the environment and it affects their buying decision. Don't forget
that these 'consumers' also work within your business, so informing
and involving them in any environmentally friendly initiative is
great for employee morale. It doesn't end with current employees
either, demonstrating your environmental credentials is an
attractive quality when recruiting too.
At a time when differentiation is important as ever, standing
out from the competition is imperative. When pitching for work
outside of tenders, your environmental credentials could be the
determining factor for choosing your business.
How to go green
See where you are now
To really see how efficient you are with energy at the moment,
you can use a Carbon Footprint Calculator. Based on the results,
you will get supplementary advice based on your industry sector.
The basics
It helps to have an
office walk-round to appreciate
the types and quantities of waste your business generates.
Getting all staff involved will provide an impression of what is
needed, what can be changed and what can be removed entirely.
Do all of the office lights need
to be on, all of the time?
Could you have sent an e-mail instead
of a letter?
Do you turn off electrical equipment
when not in use?
Wasting water? A dripping tap can
cost £400 a year.
Are you recycling or reusing
paper?
Could you use Skype (or similar)
instead of travelling to a meeting?
Maintenance is also important in achieving energy efficiency. Make
sure that your premises are kept properly insulated and that draught
excluders are fitted. Keep equipment clean and well maintained to
reduce operating costs.
As well as day-to-day activities, maintenance is key to sustaining
your environmental performance. Ensure that your business premises are
well insulated and draft excluders are fitted. Even small things like
cleaning windows may reduce the need for using lights unnecessarily.
Your suppliers
It's all very well looking at your own energy consumption, but could
your efforts be undermined by your suppliers? You can be strict and
enforce environmental requirements or simply be more selective about who
you use. Think about how you can work with suppliers to reduce waste.
The products you buy from suppliers are just as important. Obvious
improvements such as obtaining recycled paper (ideally FSC approved) from
your office stationary supplier are easy to make.
Demonstrating your green credentials
It's all very well saying what you do but there is more weight behind it
when its been proven through external verification.
ISO 14001 certification
Recognised throughout the world, the ISO 14001 environmental management
standard can open up new markets and make a powerful statement about your
organisation's environmental credentials. Not only does the standard help
you demonstrate conformity with legal requirements, it can also help cut
energy consumption and waste management costs.
Carbon Trust Standard
The Carbon Trust Standard certifies that you have made genuine reductions
to your carbon footprint and are committed to making further reductions year
on year. Achieving the Carbon Trust Standard helps you prove you’re tackling
climate change, build your reputation and reduce the cost of compliance under
the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).
Demonstrating your commitment to managing your environmental
output helps galvanise employees and can give your organisation a new sense
of mission. The Carbon Trust has a range of
motivational stickers and posters to keep employees reminded about how
they can make a difference.
More information
The Business Link website has more information on improving your
environmental performance and sustainability within your business. The
Government's NetRegs website also provides up-to-date information on
environmental legislations.
