How to assess and manage your carbon footprint and work towards net-zero emissions.
As the Australian government pushes for the country to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, businesses need to be thinking about reducing their carbon footprint—the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted as a result of their operations.
With many businesses planning to start their journey towards net zero, the first step is to measure what carbon emissions they’re currently emitting.?
From there, businesses will know what type of carbon emissions fall into which emission scope type (i.e. Scope 1, 2, or 3—see our previous newsletter for an in-depth explanation).?
Once businesses understand the areas in their organisation with high carbon emissions, they can strategise ways to reduce their carbon footprint reduction.?
This newsletter will discuss the importance of assessing and managing your carbon footprint in your business.?
How can your organisation collect carbon footprint data??
Collecting and accessing accurate, meaningful data is harder than it looks. Organisations are not use to collecting this data so processes need to be developed.
For example, at Carbon Offset Advisory, we start by implementing accurate, carbon accounting software to provide reporting for organisations of all sizes. Our software provides reliable, transparent data on emissions that will help your organisation formulate, execute, and report carbon emissions and your footprint accurately.?
The next step is to start the process of collecting accurate data from across the business using smart software tools that make this as easy as possible.
Once your organisation has successfully implemented the data collection piece, the next step is to evaluate the results, set goals and build a plan to reduce carbon emissions.
So, how to reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint?
The first step we can take is to use the information gathered from the emissions reporting and improve our knowledge of our options and how we can improve.
Then we identify the large emissions contributors in the business and investigate ways to reduce this.
At Carbon Offset Advisory there are six areas where we help companies focus on reducing carbon footprint:
#1. Power
Electricity is generated in various ways and can significantly impact your business' carbon footprint.?
Often, electricity is generated by burning a fuel source (e.g. coal, gas, oil). In 2019, burning coal produced 56% of electricity in Australia and was the dominant energy supplier.?
However, renewable energy has increased by 50% and will continue to increase with the nation's net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Some examples include rooftop solar, batteries, solar hot water, power agreements ( called PPA’s), bio gas instead of fossil gas and green ammonia.
#2. Transport?
A large global contributor to carbon emissions is the transportation sector, which is Australia's second-largest source of greenhouse gases (~18%).?
Thus, Carbon Offset Advisory works alongside businesses to find ways to create lasting environmental progress in terms of transportation, such as:
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Electric vehicles
#3. Air Travel and Holidays
Did you know over 2500 litres of jet fuel are required for a typical large commercial plane to travel? Plus, over the past five years, there's been a 32% worldwide increase in emissions through air travel.?
However, there are ways to reduce carbon emissions in air travel, such as:
#4. Efficiency at home?
We spend quite some time at home, especially during the pandemic and those working from home. This means that most of the ways we can reduce our carbon footprints and develop sustainable lifestyles are within our homes.?
A couple ways to help with home efficiency include upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and low flow water fittings and usage.?
#5. Food?
Food requires land, water and energy from cultivation, harvesting, production, packaging, refrigeration, transport to the wholesaler, transport to the customer and waste disposal.
Some ways to reduce food carbon footprint include:
Growing your food
#6. Conscious living??
One of the best environmental tips is to remain conscious of your habits such as buying second-hand and participating in environmental events.?
Need help reducing your carbon footprint and achieving a net-zero plan?
At Carbon Offset Advisory, not only do we help you manage and measure your carbon footprint, but we also provide a simple plan to help you achieve net-zero emissions in 5 steps:?
While reducing your carbon footprint will help, having a net-zero emission plan will help your business be ready to pivot when the Australian government reinforces more strict carbon emission mandates.?
Want to learn more about Australia's journey to net-zero emissions??
Please subscribe to this newsletter. And if you're considering starting your journey towards company net zero emissions, contact me via DM to discuss where to begin.