Where to Start

Facts, figures and information that will build a better understanding of what it means to be carbon neutral and help you to implement greener initiatives within your business.

What's a carbon footprint and why does it matter?

A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, organisation or community. Calculating your business's carbon footprint is the first step to becoming carbon neutral. Once you know your carbon footprint and which areas of your business these are split across you can act to effectively reduce emissions.

 

What are scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions?

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard classifies a company's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions into 3 scopes:

  • Scope 1 – All direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
  • Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy
  • Scope 3 – All other indirect emissions (not included in scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions.

 

Calculating in detail is the most accurate way of reporting an organisation’s carbon footprint. This allows understanding of more emissions categories, up-to-date emissions factors, and greater insight into how and why emissions are changing (trend analysis) than purely calculating the footprint alone. Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting, which some companies have to comply with, is the general UK gov recommended method for voluntary reporting on energy and GHG emissions reporting for businesses.

 

Does your business need to complete Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR)?

UK government implemented SECR policy on 1st April 2019. The introduction of SECR coincides with the end of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. The new regulations will require an estimated 11,900 companies incorporated in the UK to disclose their energy and carbon emissions - a far greater number than were required to act under the CRC.

 

Get an idea of your businesses Carbon footprint

Using the Carbon Trust carbon footprint calculator for SME’s can give you an estimate.

Please be aware, using free tools may miss a large proportion of your emissions and therefore should only be used provisionally. To get a more complete representation of your business's carbon footprint an in-depth assessment may be required.

 

Working from home - Green Savings Calculator

This Business Green Savings Calculator by O2, helps determine and identify annual carbon, potential costs, plus time-related savings that could be achieved through hybrid working. Use the calculator and get started today on your journey to being carbon neutral.

Disclaimer from O2 Business

The 02 Business Green Savings Calculator is for illustrative purposes only. Its results are based on a range of general assumptions and publicly available data, so should not be solely relied upon for any important decision-making within your business. O2 accepts no responsibility for any liability that may be incurred as a result of decisions made on the basis of the results provided.

Nottingham City Council Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability Division

Nottingham City Council is a leading organisation in the energy revolution; generating green energy and installing and developing the latest technology to reduce energy consumption.

The council’s award-winning Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability (CRES) Division is the driving force behind this activity, delivering projects that ensure organisations have access to a secure and affordable energy supply, reducing operational costs, risks and environmental impacts.

They work with large corporates, small-medium enterprises and the public sector to help organisations to switch to renewable and low carbon energy solutions.

CRES is helping businesses calculate their carbon footprint and switch to renewable and low carbon energy solutions:

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals were formed when all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainability Development to provide a shared plan for prosperity for people, peace, and ecological growth for the planet. There are 17 core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which require action now and into the future by all countries – both developed and developing – as a worldwide partnership.

We recommend that businesses pay close attention to the following goals for information on sustainability, climate change and the environment:

COP26 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference UK 2021

The UK hosted the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31st October – 12th November 2021. The UK committed to working to with nations  civil societies, companies, and individuals who are at the forefront of climate change and inspirational work.

COP26 was the 2021 United Nations’ climate change conference. For almost 30 years the UN has been collaborating with most countries at global climate summits – COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. Over the last decade, climate change has become a priority across the globe. The world leaders, government representatives, businesses, and citizens discussed how to; adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, mobilise finance, secure global net-zero by 2050, and deliver this working together.

High-level outcomes from the World Leaders Summit and presidency theme days of the two-week programme of COP26.

Resources:

COP26 Glossary

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