Debunking Net Zero: Practical steps from GBC members

For this blog, we would like to look closely at how our members have been working towards net zero, and members who offer offsetting services as part of their business, in line with their GBC environmental component. We have just chosen a few to talk about on this blog, so this is not an extensive list by any means! We hope their ideas encourage others to look deeper at what they are doing within their organisations to work towards net zero.

First of all, we have some tips from GBC member Eco Offset on what practical steps you can make to reduce your carbon emissions.

Eco Offset

Eco Offset Ltd are an Environmental Consultancy, who specialises in supporting businesses of all sizes to manage, reduce and offset their carbon emissions. Minimising your companies environmental impact can help you to reduce your energy costs, retain staff and attract new customers.

Here are some of their top tips for reducing your businesses carbon footprint:

  1. Switch to a renewable energy supplier

Emissions from our energy use can make up to a quarter of our overall carbon footprint. Change your energy supplier to a green and renewable energy company. There are several to choose from and their prices are competitive. Spend a few minutes on a price comparison website to see what works best for you. Green suppliers include Ecotricity, Good Energy and Green Energy UK.

  1. Become energy efficient

Whether it’s electric, gas or oil, we can have a big impact (and often make a cost saving!) when we are mindful about the amount of energy we consume, whether it’s renewable or not.

Is your heating on and yet the windows are open? Are you turning your electrical appliances off when you leave in the evening? Do you have LED lights installed? They are low cost and very efficient.

  1. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle

Ensure your waste is segregated correctly. The more we recycle the less will end up being incinerated or in landfill. Do you have a water cooler in reception/the office? Ditch the plastic cups for recyclable paper cups and put a small recycling bin next to it. If you notice a lot of plastic water bottles going in to your bin, consider branded reusable water bottles for your team to use.

  1. Go paperless

Can you reduce your paper use in practice? Even go digital completely? If you let your clients know you’re looking at digital communications to become more environmentally friendly, most of them will support and celebrate your aim. Where you must use paper try to use recycled or FSC sustainably sourced paper.

  1. Set up a green team

Working together on green initiatives is more effective when done together. Speak to the whole team and set up regular meetings to focus on sustainability and form a plan together. You may have a team member who is particularly passionate about this, if they are really keen and want to take the lead, make them your champion.

Thank you Eco Offset for some great tips! We now have some GBC members, who operate with a sustainable focus and offer carbon offsetting services.

Positive Planet

Positive Planet works with organisations of all sizes to help them simplify and accelerate their transition to a net-zero economy. For companies looking to embrace sustainability as part of their strategy or organisations looking to meet the requirements of increasing regulatory compliance, they provide accessible low-cost solutions. 

Stephen Henry, Founding Partner of Positive Planet said: 

“As a business committed to sustainability, we have already made significant progress to becoming net-zero in our own operations, including switching to responsible banking, sustainable technology partners and even using an eco-conscious insurer. 

We offer a suite of services for businesses to help them Measure, Reduce and Offset their carbon emissions as well as certification for Carbon Neutral and Net Zero businesses.”

Conference care 

We did a blog earlier this year on GBC member and events agency Conference Care as they announced the launch of a new service – Carbon Consultancy by Conference Care. The consultancy will enable event organisers to accurately measure carbon emissions generated by an event, provide solutions which educate, create behaviour change and deliver carbon reductions. It also offers a portfolio of carbon programmes allowing the remaining footprint to be offset if required, making the event carbon neutral.

We also have some GBC members who operate outside of the environmental sector, but have been implementing changes to work towards net zero.

Sales Untangled 

Sales Untangled is an organisation that helps business owners with sales growth by building sustainable sales capability through sales coaching, consulting and sales training. Their Director, Martin Knowles told us more about how they have been operating sustainably: 

“We are already running net zero and it amuses me we’re 29 years ahead of the government’s target! Admittedly we have a simple business with two co-founders and no manufacturing so our emissions are quite low anyway.

In the last couple of years, we’ve changed my car to electric and converted our home office to renewable electricity, which in total reduced our emissions by c70%. Then we’re having to offset the rest (at least for the time being), which was about 1 tonne last year. It’s been a relatively simple process to achieve this and we’re always keen to share that story where we think it can help others demystify the approach.”

Penney Financial Partners

Penney Financial Partners are experts in investment management, asset protection, retirement strategies and inheritance tax/estate planning.

In 2021, Penney Financial Partners committed to becoming a carbon neutral business with a five-year target of achieving net zero. 

The practical steps they are taking include:

  • Embracing technology to reduce the amount of business travel by colleagues
  • Ensuring their offices are paperless and all day-to-day materials used are 100% recyclable
  • Committing to 100% renewable power at both their Shrewsbury and Cheltenham offices
  • Supporting colleagues in going electric and promoting a sustainable transport culture within the practice.

Capita

Finally, our first GBC member Capita, have announced their roadmap to net zero. Their three-phased approach begins with being operational net zero by 2025. The second milestone is operational plus travel net zero by 2030 and thirdly, full net zero including supply chain by 2035. To read more, you can visit their website here. 

 

If you would like more information and support, please see

https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk

and

https://businessclimatehub.org/