The government is working to decarbonize the entire UK economy to meet its net-zero 2050 target. A growing number of companies want to take the game forward and achieve carbon neutrality today.
Some family names are already carbon neutral certified, including Sky, Google, M&S and Korn.
Business carbon emissions assessment
The first step in achieving business carbon neutrality is to evaluate carbon emissions from current business activities and reduce them wherever possible.
Outside of agriculture and heavy industry, the most prominent commercial process that emits greenhouse gases comes from utility costs. Let’s take a look at each one:
Commercial gas Commercial properties typically use local boilers for central heating systems. The gas supplied to the properties is a fossil fuel which, when burned in a boiler, emits carbon dioxide directly.
Business Power – Despite the recent increase in renewable capacity, the national grid is still dependent on gas-fired power plants for power generation.
Business Water – Wastewater treatment is a highly carbon-intensive process, and energy is used to pump clean water across the country.
Businesses seeking carbon neutrality should first look at eliminating carbon emissions from these supplies.
How to remove the footprint of business power?
Businesses eliminate carbon emissions from energy consumption in a two-step process. The first is to eliminate the use of gas as burning natural gas will always generate carbon emissions. Modern heat pumps work the same as traditional boilers but are much more efficient and rely on electricity instead of gas.
Second, businesses want to generate their own green electricity. Local solar panels, wind turbines or even hydroelectric generators generate completely green renewable electricity. A major advantage of this approach is that any excess electricity can be sold back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee Scheme.
How to remove water footprint of business?
Businesses can successfully reduce their water-related carbon footprint through the following initiatives:
Rain crop – Collect, treat and use rainwater on your business property.
Borehole – Drain drinking water directly from your business property underground.
Gravator System – Wastewater generated on your business property is recyclable.
An alternative to these local solutions is to invest in carbon offsetting schemes to reduce the environmental impact of your business’s water use.
How to offset the footprint of business power?
If local solutions are not practical for your business, your business may incur green energy tariffs. Your business energy supplier will guarantee that the energy supplied is carbon neutral within the green tariff. Business power providers achieve neutrality:
Green Business Gas Tariff – Green gas tariffs offset carbon emissions which will make your local gas boiler. Find a green business gas tariff for your business using the AquaSwitch Business Gas Comparison Service.
Green electricity tariff – At a green electricity tariff, your business will be committed to buying your electricity from renewable generators, including wind farms and solar farms supplying energy.
As technology advances, the price of commercial green energy continues to fall. Compare business energy prices today to save your business energy bill and find out if it can be carbon neutral.
