A. Janice Hix writes:
Reducing carbon emissions to become more environmentally friendly has become increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. Businesses can enhance the benefits for their staff by creating a green space for people to enjoy, while also absorbing carbon emissions.
There are several measures small and mid-size firms can take to become greener, which can in fact save the company money:
Encourage staff to become more environmentally aware by taking simple steps such as turning off lights, lift sharing and cycling or walking to work, which will not only lower carbon emissions but bring financial benefits for both the employer and employee.
Try switching to online billing services to cut down on paper use and wastage.
Think about the type of paper you are using: is it sustainably produced and managed? Do you really need to print?
Implement payroll giving: individual staff can choose to donate a small amount each month to a green charity.
Encourage your staff to recycle old mobile phones, cameras, MP3 players and ink cartridges, and help raise money for green charities by using a scheme such as the one run by Barclays, which donates £2.50 every time a phone is recycled through it.
Measure your company’s emissions: for help and advice, visit Defra’s website and consider how you could reduce your footprint.
Increase efficiency: Avoid unnecessary energy usage; switch to renewable power supplies.
Capture and store your unavoidable emissions: Off-set your carbon emissions by planting trees in space near the office, which staff can enjoy during the summer months.
Take part in sponsored events as a team, such as planting trees or conservation projects, which will not only help the environment but also encourage team-building.
Janice Hix is fundraising manager at the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, which saw half a million trees planted last year.
www.woodlandtrust.org/businesscarbon