Anyone here have a carbon neutral business?
Discussion
Whilst not a very PH friendly topic! I am interested to hear if anyone has a carbon neutral business?
Was it difficult? What was the impact financially? What impact on your customers?
I'm surprised at a number of big names that are carbon neutral and wondering how straight forward it is for SME's!
Was it difficult? What was the impact financially? What impact on your customers?
I'm surprised at a number of big names that are carbon neutral and wondering how straight forward it is for SME's!
I'm not but it's a big part of the world in which I work. Plus may daughter is Group Carbon Manager for one of the UK' target construction firms so I have a modicum of insight.
There's many ways to achieve carbon neutrality and the choice you make is dependant upon your business, the amount you create (and how) and your level of commitment. Remember too that it's not just about CO2. Whenever we talk about Carbon Neutrality we mean 'Carbon Equivalencies' (CO2e) so you have to take into account Methane, NOx, PM2.5, etc. (i.e. methane is 20 x more damaging than CO2 so methane has a CO2e of 20).
To do it properly requires establishing a baseline, implementation of the measures necessary then measurement, monitoring and reporting (to whom depends on your business and sector). It requires investment but there's grants to help and you should see a saving over time.
The biggest barrier for SMEs is the time and resources it can suck up which is why most go down the Carbon Offsetting route (there was a thread on this here a few weeks back).
Unless there's customer pressure to do this, regulatory requirement or you are passionately driven to do something, I wouldn't worry too much just yet beyond the usual (solar, voltage optimisers, energy providers, EVs, recycling, etc).
But of you did want to move on this, I'd suggest your first point of call should be your local authority as they will be able to point you in the direction of approved firms and consultants and they may even have a pot of grant money you might be able to access.
Don't be tempted to fudge it or greenwash. They key is the ability to measure!
HTH
There's many ways to achieve carbon neutrality and the choice you make is dependant upon your business, the amount you create (and how) and your level of commitment. Remember too that it's not just about CO2. Whenever we talk about Carbon Neutrality we mean 'Carbon Equivalencies' (CO2e) so you have to take into account Methane, NOx, PM2.5, etc. (i.e. methane is 20 x more damaging than CO2 so methane has a CO2e of 20).
To do it properly requires establishing a baseline, implementation of the measures necessary then measurement, monitoring and reporting (to whom depends on your business and sector). It requires investment but there's grants to help and you should see a saving over time.
The biggest barrier for SMEs is the time and resources it can suck up which is why most go down the Carbon Offsetting route (there was a thread on this here a few weeks back).
Unless there's customer pressure to do this, regulatory requirement or you are passionately driven to do something, I wouldn't worry too much just yet beyond the usual (solar, voltage optimisers, energy providers, EVs, recycling, etc).
But of you did want to move on this, I'd suggest your first point of call should be your local authority as they will be able to point you in the direction of approved firms and consultants and they may even have a pot of grant money you might be able to access.
Don't be tempted to fudge it or greenwash. They key is the ability to measure!
HTH
StevieBee said:
I'm not but it's a big part of the world in which I work. Plus may daughter is Group Carbon Manager for one of the UK' target construction firms so I have a modicum of insight.
There's many ways to achieve carbon neutrality and the choice you make is dependant upon your business, the amount you create (and how) and your level of commitment. Remember too that it's not just about CO2. Whenever we talk about Carbon Neutrality we mean 'Carbon Equivalencies' (CO2e) so you have to take into account Methane, NOx, PM2.5, etc. (i.e. methane is 20 x more damaging than CO2 so methane has a CO2e of 20).
To do it properly requires establishing a baseline, implementation of the measures necessary then measurement, monitoring and reporting (to whom depends on your business and sector). It requires investment but there's grants to help and you should see a saving over time.
The biggest barrier for SMEs is the time and resources it can suck up which is why most go down the Carbon Offsetting route (there was a thread on this here a few weeks back).
Unless there's customer pressure to do this, regulatory requirement or you are passionately driven to do something, I wouldn't worry too much just yet beyond the usual (solar, voltage optimisers, energy providers, EVs, recycling, etc).
But of you did want to move on this, I'd suggest your first point of call should be your local authority as they will be able to point you in the direction of approved firms and consultants and they may even have a pot of grant money you might be able to access.
Don't be tempted to fudge it or greenwash. They key is the ability to measure!
HTH
Thank you that's really helpful. I'll have a look at our local council for help and dig out that old thread.There's many ways to achieve carbon neutrality and the choice you make is dependant upon your business, the amount you create (and how) and your level of commitment. Remember too that it's not just about CO2. Whenever we talk about Carbon Neutrality we mean 'Carbon Equivalencies' (CO2e) so you have to take into account Methane, NOx, PM2.5, etc. (i.e. methane is 20 x more damaging than CO2 so methane has a CO2e of 20).
To do it properly requires establishing a baseline, implementation of the measures necessary then measurement, monitoring and reporting (to whom depends on your business and sector). It requires investment but there's grants to help and you should see a saving over time.
The biggest barrier for SMEs is the time and resources it can suck up which is why most go down the Carbon Offsetting route (there was a thread on this here a few weeks back).
Unless there's customer pressure to do this, regulatory requirement or you are passionately driven to do something, I wouldn't worry too much just yet beyond the usual (solar, voltage optimisers, energy providers, EVs, recycling, etc).
But of you did want to move on this, I'd suggest your first point of call should be your local authority as they will be able to point you in the direction of approved firms and consultants and they may even have a pot of grant money you might be able to access.
Don't be tempted to fudge it or greenwash. They key is the ability to measure!
HTH
As StevieBee said if you go in half heartedly then you are open to accusations of greenwashing. If you want to do it just because it's the right thing to do, then just get on with it but don't shout about it i.e. switch to 100% renewable energy at renewal, use less packaging, recycle all plastics and other waste, try to buy more sustainably, Only travel where necessary, use Zoom/Teams instead. Open a window instead of AirCon, etc etc etc. Just don't claim Carbon Neutral.
If you want to get serious then PAS2060 is the British Standards framework to use. Copy paste here of a Linked In post I did a few days ago explaining PAS2060:
So todays acronym is PAS2060 which is a Standard first published by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2010 and revised in 2014 i.e. it even predates the Paris Agreement of 2015 yet still remains the worlds only standard on Carbon Neutraility (used by COP26 for example just last year).
Using PAS2060, Companies (and other organisations) can show their Carbon Neutral claims are credible AND verified.
It provides guidance on how to quantify, reduce and offset Greenhouse Gas emissions on a specified business area.
Whilst companies can, if they want, calculate their own footprints, purchase credits and claim carbon neutrality.....the PAS 2060 standard provides accuracy and certification.
Accuracy, Certification & Verification are becoming critical as companies and governments move to Net Zero 2050.
PAS2060 also supports subsequent reduction of emissions with a 12-month review.
AND because it allows for offsetting using certified credits, it encourages the support of climate finance projects that add social and environmental value.
Finally given it's not a mandated standard, using it, demonstrates a voluntary commitment to high quality attention to achieving Carbon Neutral because it's the right thing to do and gives a marketing advantage too.
If you want to get serious then PAS2060 is the British Standards framework to use. Copy paste here of a Linked In post I did a few days ago explaining PAS2060:
So todays acronym is PAS2060 which is a Standard first published by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2010 and revised in 2014 i.e. it even predates the Paris Agreement of 2015 yet still remains the worlds only standard on Carbon Neutraility (used by COP26 for example just last year).
Using PAS2060, Companies (and other organisations) can show their Carbon Neutral claims are credible AND verified.
It provides guidance on how to quantify, reduce and offset Greenhouse Gas emissions on a specified business area.
Whilst companies can, if they want, calculate their own footprints, purchase credits and claim carbon neutrality.....the PAS 2060 standard provides accuracy and certification.
Accuracy, Certification & Verification are becoming critical as companies and governments move to Net Zero 2050.
PAS2060 also supports subsequent reduction of emissions with a 12-month review.
AND because it allows for offsetting using certified credits, it encourages the support of climate finance projects that add social and environmental value.
Finally given it's not a mandated standard, using it, demonstrates a voluntary commitment to high quality attention to achieving Carbon Neutral because it's the right thing to do and gives a marketing advantage too.
As someone who has been involved in peat restoration projects, unless you own land and are actively restoring/planting with trees, it's all a bit of a con. Moat big companies just pay another company some money to plant a few tree's.
Being environmentally responsible is easier though.
Being environmentally responsible is easier though.
GIYess said:
As someone who has been involved in peat restoration projects, unless you own land and are actively restoring/planting with trees, it's all a bit of a con. Moat big companies just pay another company some money to plant a few tree's.
Sorry GI but that's a very outdated observation.Most big companies are implementing highly robust, total supply chain measures that deliver tangible and measurable gains towards carbon neutrality. Even where companies do 'sub-contract' responsibility via Carbon Offsetting, providing it's done properly it's every bit as effective as if they'd planted the trees themselves. Either way, it's far from the 'con' you suggest.
GIYess said:
As someone who has been involved in peat restoration projects, unless you own land and are actively restoring/planting with trees, it's all a bit of a con. Moat big companies just pay another company some money to plant a few tree's.
Being environmentally responsible is easier though.
We're a 'big' company (mining) and we're spending around 50-100million dollars on an energy project for our welsh refinery, and one of our key strategic goals is around carbon neutrality. That's just one example, we've sites in most countries and many have similar projects. Aside from being the right thing to do, many customers are now building this requirement into their buying decision making - for example Tesla are big on this (are we are working with them to provide nickel for EV). This will flow down, we will have similar requirements from our suppliers so my advice would be to start looking at it now so you aren't put at a disadvantage if competitors progress further. Wouldn't surprise me for instance if councils start building it into their tender requirements.Being environmentally responsible is easier though.
Of course how you do it is another matter, many will take the offsetting route by paying companies to plant trees etc.
StevieBee said:
GIYess said:
As someone who has been involved in peat restoration projects, unless you own land and are actively restoring/planting with trees, it's all a bit of a con. Moat big companies just pay another company some money to plant a few tree's.
Sorry GI but that's a very outdated observation.Most big companies are implementing highly robust, total supply chain measures that deliver tangible and measurable gains towards carbon neutrality. Even where companies do 'sub-contract' responsibility via Carbon Offsetting, providing it's done properly it's every bit as effective as if they'd planted the trees themselves. Either way, it's far from the 'con' you suggest.
I work for a utility with large land holding. We are developing a good strategy with a lot of scientific support but that is possible due to the amount of land we own.
I just tend to be suspicious of schemes where companies like easyjet effectively rent carbon from environmental projects then call themselves carbon neutral.
And what cost does all this 'carbon neutrality' incur, which is of course passed on down the line? My concern is that in its fervour to cut carbons, the West will destroy its economy. And it's already a bit knackered.
I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
Simpo Two said:
And what cost does all this 'carbon neutrality' incur, which is of course passed on down the line? My concern is that in its fervour to cut carbons, the West will destroy its economy. And it's already a bit knackered.
I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
Legislation is always changing/evolving and businesses need to move with it or they aren't sustainable. For example, GDPR - and I agree the big winners are usually the companies who spring up to help others adopt. I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
At least with carbon neutrality there should be a gain for the planet. And these changing needs can drive innovation which can transform a business - for example by striving for carbon neutrality you refine your production processes, energy generation/usage and waste stream analysis - all likely reducing business costs long term with the 'side goal' of neutrality. You become more attractive to customers/suppliers/prospective employees and there are often grants available and tax incentives to help with initial investment. Far from destroying an economy it can generate new businesses (more jobs/money) and move towards a sustainable economy.
Edited by ozzuk on Tuesday 5th July 08:59
In my limited experience it depends on your industry. We take waste aggregates from steel production and turn them into a useful product, using natural gas powered burners and adding other fossil fuel derived products into the mix. The operations team decided they wanted to be carbon neutral, paid tens of thousands of £ to Carbon Trust whose only actionable advice was to spend £300k on a solar install in the middle of an industrial area of South Yorkshire.
We’ve made some of our own changes (switching to electric vehicles, introducing HVO diesel, reducing engine idle hours) but the only way I can see us ever been neutral is if we go down the offsetting/carbon credits route.
However if your an IT consultant, retail outlet, restaurant etc… there are a lot fewer hurdles to overcome so the path should be reasonably easy to tread.
The decision really is ‘how much is being carbon neutral worth?’. It’s going to cost you money so you need to decide if that cost will be paid off by the extra business it generates, or if it’s price your willing to pay for ESG credentials.
We’ve made some of our own changes (switching to electric vehicles, introducing HVO diesel, reducing engine idle hours) but the only way I can see us ever been neutral is if we go down the offsetting/carbon credits route.
However if your an IT consultant, retail outlet, restaurant etc… there are a lot fewer hurdles to overcome so the path should be reasonably easy to tread.
The decision really is ‘how much is being carbon neutral worth?’. It’s going to cost you money so you need to decide if that cost will be paid off by the extra business it generates, or if it’s price your willing to pay for ESG credentials.
Simpo Two said:
And what cost does all this 'carbon neutrality' incur, which is of course passed on down the line? My concern is that in its fervour to cut carbons, the West will destroy its economy. And it's already a bit knackered.
I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
It's quite the reverse, Simpo.I see it as 10% science, 90% bandwagon. Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
'How can Ariel Dishwasher Tabs help fight climate change?' Oh FFS.
It's not just about emissions and climate but sustainability as well - as in sustaining the supply of raw materials and the way in which goods are made. A consequence of implementing sustainability in these things is a reduction in carbon emissions (or carbon equivalence to be precise). This is easier to measure which is why it's the metric upon which everything sustainable is pegged to.
Taking your dishwasher tablets as example... These use a myriad of energy intensive processes to obtain and manufacture the chemicals required through the whole manufacturing process. What manufacturers are now doing is looking at making more efficient use of the materials needed and the manufacturing processes used. Even down to the physical design of them so that more can be squeezed into the box (also redesigned to used less material), so you get more on the truck meaning less lorries on the road which means less fuel and less emissions all of which leads to a contribution towards zero emission targets and a cost saving to the consumer or at worse, cost neutrality.
EVs are another. Naysayers often point to the need to generate the electricity to charge them and the environmental impact of mining the materials for the batteries. These completely miss the point of EVs - that being a reduction in the need for oil. Emissions are still generated but it is significantly easier to control the emissions from a few hundred power stations than it is from 20m cars.
So, looking at this:
Simpo Two said:
My concern is that in its fervour to cut carbons, the West will destroy its economy. And it's already a bit knackered.
When you consider that there's less that 50 years worth of oil left and then consider the impact on the global economy when this runs out you begin to see that there is very real and practical need to change things - even if you believe the whole climate change thing to be nonsense.The Green Economy in the UK is worth over £41 billion. That's huge. It's spawning sectors and industries and employment that didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago. And it's growing. Like all major economic developments, the government has and continues to seed this from the public purse but the pay back in terms of tax revenue, employment, growth, etc has been massive. The financial impact on consumers has been negligible.
Adopting sustainability and the pursuit of zero emissions will protect and grow western economies. It's inaction that will destroy them.
Simpo Two said:
Obviously those who make a living out of it will disagree.
Well, we do have a bit of hands-on, in-the-thick-of-it insight on which to base our views 
Edited by StevieBee on Tuesday 5th July 10:16
KarlMac said:
In my limited experience it depends on your industry. We take waste aggregates from steel production and turn them into a useful product, using natural gas powered burners and adding other fossil fuel derived products into the mix. The operations team decided they wanted to be carbon neutral, paid tens of thousands of £ to Carbon Trust whose only actionable advice was to spend £300k on a solar install in the middle of an industrial area of South Yorkshire.
We’ve made some of our own changes (switching to electric vehicles, introducing HVO diesel, reducing engine idle hours) but the only way I can see us ever been neutral is if we go down the offsetting/carbon credits route.
However if your an IT consultant, retail outlet, restaurant etc… there are a lot fewer hurdles to overcome so the path should be reasonably easy to tread.
The decision really is ‘how much is being carbon neutral worth?’. It’s going to cost you money so you need to decide if that cost will be paid off by the extra business it generates, or if it’s price your willing to pay for ESG credentials.
It is very industry specific.We’ve made some of our own changes (switching to electric vehicles, introducing HVO diesel, reducing engine idle hours) but the only way I can see us ever been neutral is if we go down the offsetting/carbon credits route.
However if your an IT consultant, retail outlet, restaurant etc… there are a lot fewer hurdles to overcome so the path should be reasonably easy to tread.
The decision really is ‘how much is being carbon neutral worth?’. It’s going to cost you money so you need to decide if that cost will be paid off by the extra business it generates, or if it’s price your willing to pay for ESG credentials.
If you run a business that sells to the public sector or very large companies via tendering, you are already scored on your commitment to sustainability which on marginal scoring can win or loose you contracts. It will not be long before companies that fail to demonstrate minimum levels of commitments will be excluded from bidding for such contracts in the first place.
But at the other end of the scale, the need (and often the ability) to demonstrate such commitment is more a moral decision of the owner - though consumers are increasingly looking at eco-credentials when making purchasing decisions.
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