Going Green Guide

There is more to going green than many businesses realise. It's not just about looking good, there are genuine cost savings to be had, not to mention improved staff morale as a result of doing the right thing. Read on for more information on how to become a more environmentally friendly business...

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.

> Use Carbon Footprint Calculator

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 businses 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 status

Its 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.

> More on ISO 14001 Certification

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 climage change, build your reputation and reduce the cost of compliance under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

> More on Carbon Trust Standard

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.

> Business Link website

> NetRegs website

The British Assessment Bureau reputation was established in 1965. Today, our core business is the accreditation of people, services and organisations. We certify organisations to the latest ISO management standards and design and manage bespoke accreditation schemes. Such schemes are based on the establishment of standards, which can be developed to be recognised company-wide, industry-wide, nationally or internationally.

For more information visit www.british-assessment.co.uk.

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