Measure your emissions
In order to make reductions, it is important to know the greenhouse gas emissions your business creates.
By taking this first step, you’ll be able to understand which areas to begin to prioritise in order to take action.
Tools for smaller businesses
Carbon Trust emissions calculator
Carbon Trust energy management self-assessment tool
Tools for larger businesses
Carbon Trust energy benchmarking tool
Other recommended guides to refer to as a starting point
Small business user guide - Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Green travel and commuting
For many organisations, travel and commuting is one of the most air polluting activities.
Engaging employees and embedding air-quality friendly behaviour also has additional benefits such as financial savings and promoting better physical and mental health. You could consider:
- Introducing a cycle to work scheme by supporting employees to cycle to work through a salary sacrifice scheme.
- Supporting employees in a greener commute, by setting up an e-bike sharing programme, promote carpooling to work or introduce incentives to staff such as discounted or free public transport. Additionally there are salary sacrifice schemes available to support employees purchasing EVs.
- If you own your own fleet and are in the process of adding new fleet vehicles, consider opting for hybrid or fully electric models. If you need guidance on where to start, the Energy Saving Trust, funded by the Department of Transport are offering fleet support on how to make fleet more efficient, cost-effective and lower emissions. For eligible organisations, this is offered at no cost.
More efficient ways of working
Electricity consumption in office environments is often quite high, not only putting pressure on utility budgets, and the local electricity grid too.
Ways to optimise energy efficiency in your office include:
- Investing in energy efficient technology such as LED lighting and renewable energy generation such as solar panels.
- Get a smart meter to help monitor workplace energy use in real-time. This can inform evidence-based changes to your energy use.
- Review energy labels on office appliances – this will help understand the energy efficiency of appliances.
- Consider switching to a green tariff to reduce the impact of your energy use. Using energy from a renewable source can help your business decrease its overall impact on the environment.
- Encourage behaviour change such as switching off lights and appliances when not in use and more mindful use of printers and photocopying. Running a training day/course can help keep staff informed.
If you do have staff working from home, encourage staff to work in an environmentally friendly way. Check out University of York’s top tips on how to reduce your energy consumption whilst working from home.
Educate employees and customers
Change begins with awareness and knowledge. As a business you can promote dialogue amongst staff and customers by embedding energy reduction into your day-to-day activities through company practices and policies around sustainability.
The Carbon Literacy Project - offers training and accreditations in carbon and climate awareness.
Additional advice and further useful links
There are many sources of support which can provide further help including the following:
- Midlands Net Zero Hub – facilitates investment into energy projects, with a range of toolkits to support and help with unlocking finance options for energy projects across the region.
- GOV.UK website – offers guidance on waste and environmental impact for businesses
- Environmental taxes, reliefs and schemes for businesses – relief or exemption from some taxes if you're eligible, e.g., if you use a lot of energy because of the nature of your business, you’re a small business that doesn’t use much energy or you buy energy-efficient technology for your business.
- WRAP – updates on sources of funding, advice and support to help businesses obtain the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products, and using resources in an efficient way.
- Environment Agency (EA) - news, guidance and research on environmental issues.
- LLEP Growth Hub Business Gateway - support to make your small business greener.
- University of Nottingham Energy Institute – business support for energy innovation in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or Leicestershire.
- Universities Partnership, Responsible business – a toolkit to future-proof your organisation which provides practical advice on how to manage your energy consumption.
- Leicester & Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership: Green Skills Update, July 2024 (PDF) – a round up of local and national green skills news aimed at briefing area individuals and stakeholders such as area FE colleges, universities, schools, businesses, and the voluntary and community sector.