The UK government aims to achieve net zero by 2050 but to reach this target it needs businesses, industries, and individuals to all cut carbon emissions. Achieving net zero is about more than hitting government goals though. It should have a positive environmental impact and can save many companies money too.
You’ve probably heard the term net zero used a lot. Here we make clear what it means and why it’s important for businesses of any size, industry, and location to have their own net zero plans. It’s a great way to uphold your environmental responsibilities and have a clear plan of action to go greener.
Understand more about what is meant by net zero, why it’s important for businesses, and how to achieve it with the following tips.
What is net zero?
Net zero is a balance of greenhouse gases. The amount of greenhouse gases produced must be equal to or less than that removed from the atmosphere to achieve net zero. Reducing and offsetting carbon emissions are common strategies used to work towards achieving net zero within many organisations.
The UK government aims to achieve net zero by 2050. This means that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions will have reduced by 100% compared to the levels in 1990. To achieve net zero the greenhouse gases the UK produces must be equal to or less than those removed from the environment.
Many businesses are setting their own net zero goals. This is to help combat climate change, improve their environmental impact, and save money. There are various strategies businesses use in an effort to reach net zero status – from planting trees to recycling more and adapting processes to operate more sustainably.
What are the benefits of
net zero for companies?
The main reason why achieving net zero is important is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. Many governments are introducing carbon emission regulations and targets that apply to businesses, such as the UK’s 2050 net zero goal. Running a net zero business helps you stay on track with any new regulations.
Businesses have a responsibility to help protect the environment but there are also benefits of net zero to help companies grow. Adopting a net zero plan can improve your organisation’s green reputation. Many customers are more eco-conscious and look to work with companies with strong environmental practices. This can boost investor and stakeholder confidence too.
Further benefits of net zero for companies are that it can save your business money. Many actions to achieve net zero involve reducing waste and improving energy efficiency for daily operations. These both lead to reduced costs for waste management and energy consumption, which has a financial and environmental benefit for your business.
How to achieve net zero
for your business
Start by creating a net zero plan for your business that makes it a company policy for everyone to follow. Conduct an audit or enlist the help of professionals to identify where you can cut down on carbon emissions and realistic targets to put in place. There are various things your organisation can then do to try and achieve net zero:
- Improve energy efficiency – reducing energy use can have a big environmental and financial impact with just a few small changes. Switch to LED lights in offices, minimise business travel, and set low but comfortable temperatures (not too high).
- Reduce waste – creating less waste means less goes to landfill, which is a significant cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Assess your waste production and look for ways you can cut back or reuse any waste materials.
- Use renewable energy – find renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower to run your company. You could even look into installing solar panels on your site if appropriate.
- Recycle and recover waste – recycling paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, metals, and other materials to avoid them going to landfill. It saves resources and energy required to source new materials, which can produce carbon emissions too.
- Partner with sustainable suppliers – put together a green supply chain and work with suppliers who have their own net zero goals. It could be by using recyclable packaging or electric vehicles in their fleets, for example.
- Review, report, and improve – regularly assess your net zero plan and how close you are to achieving your goals. Adapt the plan and your practices where necessary to stay on track.
Partner with Divert and work
towards net zero
Improving your commercial waste management should be a key part of your net zero plan and at Divert we can help. As our name suggests, we divert all waste away from landfill. This saves you money and reduces the greenhouse gases and carbon emissions produced from your waste to help achieve net zero.
Regular recycling collections are available for glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, and more. We provide free bins for your waste in a wide range of sizes with daily, weekly, and fortnightly removals to suit your schedule. There are no delivery or rental charges – you only pay for collection.
All waste is diverted away from landfill so the likes of garden and green waste go for composting while general waste may be sent to energy from waste plants or incinerated. Get in touch with our friendly team for a free no-obligation quote today – call 0333 444 0118 or contact us online.
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