Business has a responsibility to reduce its impact on the environment. Recent studies show that consumers expect business to act in an eco friendly manner, previous concerns such as rising population and terrorism are being eclipsed by concern for the environment and the conservation of energy. Purchasing decisions will reflect this.

How can business target the fastest growing consumer segment – the environmentally conscious consumer? The answer is simple, cost effective and hugely beneficial: measure, reduce, offset becoming a carbon neutral company.

Measure

As the saying goes “You can’t manage what you don’t measure”. In this case, measuring means calculating your Carbon Footprint – the amount of CO₂ released as a direct result of your activities. For example: electricity consumption, car miles, airmiles…

• Carbon Footprints are calculated in accordance with the Green House Gas Protocol.

Reduce

Once you have a detailed review of your carbon footprint, you can go about reducing it. Typically EmissionZero recommend a reduction over 5 years of between 15 and 25%, which means a reduction in energy consumption and therefore energy cost.

• Based on a 15% reduction in Carbon Footprint over 5 years, the annual energy spend per employee is reduced by over €100.

Offset

Despite best practice, business will always have a positive effect on CO₂ emissions. To offset this, Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) must be purchased to offset the positive impact, so that the net effect on the environment is zero. Once unavoidable emissions have been offset, a business becomes Carbon Neutral.

• EmissionZero supply the only VERs in Ireland validated and verified to the highest applicable standard by an independent, UN accredited, third party.