With everything that’s been going on in the world with the Covid-19 pandemic, we might have
forgotten that climate change is still an ongoing fight. Due to climate change outcomes, many
companies are and will be affected in different ways. Yet, most companies do not know what
they can do to help fight and control this climate emergency. Here are some actions that
businesses can put in place to do their part in the fight against global warming.
Measure and Analyze Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The initial step for businesses that want to reduce its negative impact on the planet and the
environment to assist in reducing climate change is to measure its greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG). Several private and national agencies offer carbon footprint certifications, and they can
help businesses measure their CO2 emissions.
Once the GHG emissions are identified, they need to be analyzed to see which of the company
activities are the biggest pollutants. Once it’s done, businesses can think about solutions to
reduce their emissions.
Reducing Energy Consumption
Turning the lights off in the office in the evening, reducing the heating or the air conditioning, or
taking office appliances off the plugs when it’s not in use are some simple acts that companies
can implement. Furthermore, by paying more attention to other daily routines, businesses can
reduce their energy consumption and, consequently, their impact.
Give Renewable Energies a Go
Today, more people are choosing renewable energy and, this is also a solution for businesses.
Avoiding fossil fuels significantly reduces the climate footprint.
Reduce Waste and Fight Obsolescence
Another method where businesses can reduce the climate footprint is to reduce the amount of
waste produced. Even if it’s the industrial waste of a large company or the paper waste of a
SME of the tertiary sector, all companies generate waste.
Avoid disposable cups and give kitchen crockery instead, reducing the number of prints taken,
reusing papers as drafts and sort waste for recycling correctly. There are several possible
solutions based on the facilities (office or factory) and an organization’s core business. Team
members will have plenty of good suggestions if they are motivated to adopt an eco-
entrepreneur mindset.
Use the office equipment and devices properly to avoid them deteriorating faster and repair
them when they break down instead of replacing them with new ones.
Improve Transportation
As we know, transportation is one of the biggest sectors of greenhouse gas emissions. By
encouraging individuals to take public transit, to share a cab with other colleagues staying
nearby or by offering them discounts on public transportation, businesses can significantly
lessen their indirect CO2 emissions, and therefore their impact on climate change.
Choose Greener Infrastructures and Equipment
It is also possible to pick more environmentally friendly infrastructures and pieces of equipment.
This way, companies can arrange a convoy of hybrid or electric vehicles to renew the vehicles
of the team members based on the latest environmental standards. Or when the time comes to
purchase new printers, air conditioners, laptops, screens, bulbs, or office materials, if the old
ones can’t be fixed or more are required, pick the most efficient (energy-wise) and sustainable
(based on the origin or manpower ethic standards) ones.
Choose Sustainable Suppliers
Each company also has a responsibility based on the partners it chooses. Picking a supplier is
also an environmentally-friendly option (or not, based on the supplier). Thus, companies should
try to choose suppliers who show that they have the best environmental practices.
Companies wanting to get sustainability and CSR certifications like GRI or B Corp frequently
see their operations reviewed. In the process, suppliers’ operations may also be accounted for
companies’ ecological footprint. Therefore, the companies’ ambitious certification might even
have to ask their suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices (eg: giving proof of not
employing children and paying fair salaries or disposing of waste correctly), or even have to
change to more sustainable suppliers if the old ones refuse to change.
Raise Awareness Among Team Members, Clients, and Other Stakeholders
As economic agents, companies also play an important role in raising awareness for their
teams, consumers, media, and other stakeholders. Arranging in-house contests, hackathons, or
campaigns to raise and improve awareness of sustainability problems is a great idea. Partner
with outside organizations, do something original, exclusive and powerful. These small
indications slowly create the base for the best practices that people replicate at home and
spread to their friends; it’s called the snowball effect.
Promote Environmentally Friendly Ways of Working
Some methods of working are more ecological than others; telecommuting, for instance, has
several ecological advantages. One can also think about video conferences that avoid
employees traveling by car for meetings with clients.
Paperwork also has an environmental effect, as does computer work and the internet because
of servers. Occasionally, avoid copying the entire company in an e-mail that just concerns one
department, which could save a lot of CO2 emissions.
Rally for The Climate Change Challenge
Lastly, the role of companies is also political. On their territory, at the regional or national level,
companies that want to fight climate change need to be militant. By forcing politicians and public
actors to act on global warming, they can have a huge impact. If companies are active, this can
lead to new environmental regulations that can have a significant effect on global warming.
about your company? How many of these actions have been implemented into your
business? And which ones haven’t? See how you can help your company become more
sustainable – start today and create a change!
