Four Steps to Carbon Reduction

Step 1: Recognise that carbon reduction is necessary

It's all very well trying to "be green" but unless you really understand why it is essential to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact you are unlikely to fully embrace the changes needed. Click here to find out more about the biggest climate change impacts.

Step 2: Understand where your carbon comes from

Your "Carbon Footprint" is defined as: "The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly and indirectly caused by an activity or are accumulated over the life stages of a product." So it isn't just carbon, it's any of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, but for most businesses carbon is the biggest culprit. Calculating your carbon footprint isn't a simple process. We recommend the online business footprint tools from The Carbon Trust which you can access here. If a full carbon footprint is a step too far, then just move onto Step 3:

Step 3: Measure and monitor it

Take simple measures first – look at energy bills, consider how people travel to work, look at consumption within your business ("new" things create emissions somewhere). It isn't enough to switch off lights for a week. We need to bring about permanent shifts in behaviour to reduce CO2 in the medium to long term. If your energy bills creep back up, or if the people who you persuaded to cycle to work go back to their cars, then the good work will be lost. You can only know if your activities have a lasting effect if you monitor progress. It's another reason why leadership is so important as it offers another way to ensure changes are both lasting and meaningful.

Step 4: Act and persuade others to act

The key point to remember is that action counts. Make something happen: send emails, hold meetings, change procedures, talk to people. Get started and momentum will lead to change.