According to CNN, climate catastrophes indicate numerous areas where businesses face heightened dangers. Natural disasters and extreme weather caused $160 billion in damage in 2018, and these estimates are expected to rise in the near future. Studies also show that global warming has the potential to stifle economic growth and concluding that there was a 51 percent possibility that climate change will cut global GDP by more than 20%.
As we all know that many businesses have been and will continue to be impacted in various ways as a result of climate change. Many business owners are unsure about what they can do to assist in the battle. Here are some steps that all businesses may do to contribute to the battle against global warming.
Actions Businesses Can Take to Fight Climate Change
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Must Be Measured and Analyzed
Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions is the first step for any business that wishes to limit its influence on the planet and the environment, and so assist to mitigate climate change (GHG). To this aim, various private companies that are carbon-footprint-certified may assist businesses in calculating their CO2 emissions.
Once greenhouse gas emissions have been determined, the data must be evaluated to identify which of the company’s operations produces the most pollutants. Companies can then begin to examine strategies to minimize their emissions once this analysis is completed.
Create an awareness-based Culture
It’s important to educate employees on how their actions affect the environment. There are easy measures that we can all do to lessen our environmental footprints, and if you make sustainability a part of your company culture, it will become the norm, both in and out of the workplace. Putting together a group of environmentalists to build a sustainability team within your company is an excellent place to start.
Reevaluate Your Waste Management Strategies
Another option for a company to lower its climate footprint is to minimize the amount of waste it produces. With the help of recycling, it saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminates the demand for raw materials. In fact, recycling one ton of paper may prevent the felling of 17 trees, resulting in a 64 percent decrease in energy use, a 58 percent decrease in water use, and 60 pounds (ca. 27 kg) decrease in air pollution.
By using kitchen tableware instead of throwaway coffee cups, capsules, and stirrers, reusing papers as drafts and carefully sorting waste for recycling may reduce garbage expenses, resulting in long-term cost savings for businesses.
Invest in Environmentally Friendly Infrastructure and Equipment
It is also feasible to select infrastructure and equipment that are more environmentally friendly. Companies can build up a fleet of hybrid or even electric vehicles in this way to update their workers’ automobiles to meet the most recent environmental regulations. Or if the outdated printers, air conditioners, laptops, displays, bulbs, or office supplies can’t be repaired, pick and buy the energy-efficient and sustainable alternatives.
Encourage Environmentally Friendly Working Practices
Some work styles are more environmentally friendly than others. For example, telecommuting provides several environmental benefits. Video conferencing can also be used to eliminate staff having to travel by automobile to meet with clients. Reducing the number of automobiles on the road reduces gas consumption and pollutants. Installing a bike rack in the office, for example, is a step in the right direction. Also, allow workers to work from home or reward them for carpooling.
Reduction in Energy Use
To reduce energy consumption, commercial property owners can install commercial spray foam insulation to lowering energy expenditures and improving the comfort of your building. According to the US Department of Energy, a structure with proper insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings may cut energy use by up to 50%.
Switching off the lights in the workplace in the evening, modestly decreasing the heating or air conditioning, and unplugging equipment when not in use are all helpful things that businesses can do. By paying greater attention to other everyday routine tasks, companies also lower their energy use and impact on the climate.
Choose Merchants Who are Ecologically Conscientious
Who are your service suppliers, and do their values match yours? Businesses should make a serious effort to select suppliers who can show strong environmental practices. Also, businesses may contribute to environmental protection while also saving money by utilizing goods that consume less energy, generate less trash, and last longer by working with environmentally conscientious suppliers.
When choosing a supplier, make sure they can present Renewable Energy Guarantees Origin (REGO) certifications, which confirm the energy as being environmentally friendly.
