Reduce Carbon Footprint
Discussion
Has anyone got any recommendations for reducing our carbon footprint via offsetting?
Ive seen a few companies online that offer this service, but cant make out who's the good guys out of them, so any recommendations would be great.
Dont think we can afford to go neutral, but would like to work towards that.
Ive seen a few companies online that offer this service, but cant make out who's the good guys out of them, so any recommendations would be great.
Dont think we can afford to go neutral, but would like to work towards that.
Good on you for thinking this way!
First off, you need to be clear on what you're looking to use offsetting for.
Offsetting is primarily for businesses that have done all they can to reduce their carbon footprint but have reached the ceiling as a result of the technical limitations that prevail for their business and sector - yet are still above where they need or want to be. Offsetting enables them to conform (and crucially; report) on any legislative requirement that may exist or satisfy themselves that they've done all they can.
That is perfectly legitimate and effective.
There are also those who see offsetting as simply the easy option - buying their way to absolution rather than doing or attempting to do anything tangible themselves. This is like paying the Church for indulgence and is rarely effective. Such companies normally stand out like a sore thumb and the primary cause of why offsetting is seen so dimly by some (including, it seems, Simpo, here
)
Assuming you fall into the former, then the following is the pathway to follow:
1. Understand what's meant by 'carbon' because it's not just CO2. Carbon in the context most commonly used actually means Carbon Equivalence. So, methane is 22 times more harmful than CO2 - it's easier to refer this is (in simple terms) 22 'carbons' (don't look this up as the calculations are a bit of minefield - just be aware that the numbers mean and relate to much more than simply CO2.
2. You need to determine your nett Carbon output. Contact your local authority. Most have support (and some have money) for SMEs looking to reduce their carbon. This is provided in the provision of expert support such as specialists who can make those calculations for you and recommend what you can do.
3. Implement what you can. Look at where you get your power, LED lighting, water usage, voltage optimisation, recycling, etc. These will not only reduce your carbon but also save you money and a well planned corporate environmental programme should save the company more money than is needed to offset what they can't themselves.
4. When you get to the actual offsetting, try to chose institutions rather than companies or brokers. These will be those that are actually taking your money and using most of it to do something good, tangible and measurable. Even if they don't offer a formal carbon offsetting programme, providing they can provide verifiable reporting on their work, then this can be calculated pro-rata to that attributable to you. Have a look at Waste Aid (https://wasteaid.org) as an example.
And these are a good resource to keep in mind. https://verra.org
One other thing to keep in mind is the need to de-couple 'Climate/Carbon' from 'Sustainable'. The two are easily confused and it's difficult to have one without the other. But, sustainable refers to natural resources. So whilst climate change continues to be an arguable point, the fact that there's less than 50 years worth of oil left is less so. As far as I'm aware, you can't offset sustainability. If you're serious and wondering which way to lean, then I would suggest you let the climate gang argue it out and embrace sustainability as a priority. By default, your carbon will reduce so ticking that box. And if the climate deniers are indeed proven correct, then at least you've contributed to the eking out of resources until we've worked out viable alternatives.
HTH.
First off, you need to be clear on what you're looking to use offsetting for.
Offsetting is primarily for businesses that have done all they can to reduce their carbon footprint but have reached the ceiling as a result of the technical limitations that prevail for their business and sector - yet are still above where they need or want to be. Offsetting enables them to conform (and crucially; report) on any legislative requirement that may exist or satisfy themselves that they've done all they can.
That is perfectly legitimate and effective.
There are also those who see offsetting as simply the easy option - buying their way to absolution rather than doing or attempting to do anything tangible themselves. This is like paying the Church for indulgence and is rarely effective. Such companies normally stand out like a sore thumb and the primary cause of why offsetting is seen so dimly by some (including, it seems, Simpo, here
)Assuming you fall into the former, then the following is the pathway to follow:
1. Understand what's meant by 'carbon' because it's not just CO2. Carbon in the context most commonly used actually means Carbon Equivalence. So, methane is 22 times more harmful than CO2 - it's easier to refer this is (in simple terms) 22 'carbons' (don't look this up as the calculations are a bit of minefield - just be aware that the numbers mean and relate to much more than simply CO2.
2. You need to determine your nett Carbon output. Contact your local authority. Most have support (and some have money) for SMEs looking to reduce their carbon. This is provided in the provision of expert support such as specialists who can make those calculations for you and recommend what you can do.
3. Implement what you can. Look at where you get your power, LED lighting, water usage, voltage optimisation, recycling, etc. These will not only reduce your carbon but also save you money and a well planned corporate environmental programme should save the company more money than is needed to offset what they can't themselves.
4. When you get to the actual offsetting, try to chose institutions rather than companies or brokers. These will be those that are actually taking your money and using most of it to do something good, tangible and measurable. Even if they don't offer a formal carbon offsetting programme, providing they can provide verifiable reporting on their work, then this can be calculated pro-rata to that attributable to you. Have a look at Waste Aid (https://wasteaid.org) as an example.
And these are a good resource to keep in mind. https://verra.org
One other thing to keep in mind is the need to de-couple 'Climate/Carbon' from 'Sustainable'. The two are easily confused and it's difficult to have one without the other. But, sustainable refers to natural resources. So whilst climate change continues to be an arguable point, the fact that there's less than 50 years worth of oil left is less so. As far as I'm aware, you can't offset sustainability. If you're serious and wondering which way to lean, then I would suggest you let the climate gang argue it out and embrace sustainability as a priority. By default, your carbon will reduce so ticking that box. And if the climate deniers are indeed proven correct, then at least you've contributed to the eking out of resources until we've worked out viable alternatives.
HTH.
Thanks Stevie, very informative. Realised yesterday how much fuel we burn, and I’m a believer in putting back, so offsetting was my uneducated first guess.
We run around 10 vans doing 15k miles each approx, they would be our biggest contributor/pollutant, electric vans aren’t feasible.
Our business is cleaning, so we don’t use a lot of office energy etc, but I could be completely wrong.
It’s not as simple as I first assumed and you’ve given me a lot to think about, appreciate it.
We run around 10 vans doing 15k miles each approx, they would be our biggest contributor/pollutant, electric vans aren’t feasible.
Our business is cleaning, so we don’t use a lot of office energy etc, but I could be completely wrong.
It’s not as simple as I first assumed and you’ve given me a lot to think about, appreciate it.
rufmeister said:
Thanks Stevie, very informative.
No worries, pal! Don't worry about fuel and vans - let the BPs and Shells work that one out.
Looking at the chemicals you use for cleaning would be a good and easy(ish) start.
And cleaning = waste which means recycling on which there exists much potential. You could invest in a little pyrolysis unit and use the waste you take away from places to make the fuel to power your vans!
Given your business, one relatively easy big win would be to provide your customers the means to keep their food/green waste separate and arrange to have this properly composted somewhere like this: https://www.envar.co.uk/about-envar-2/
StevieBee said:
There are also those who see offsetting as simply the easy option - buying their way to absolution rather than doing or attempting to do anything tangible themselves. This is like paying the Church for indulgence and is rarely effective. Such companies normally stand out like a sore thumb and the primary cause of why offsetting is seen so dimly by some (including, it seems, Simpo, here )
I am entirely confident it will do nothing to change the climate, if that is the actual concern. But if the OP wants to have a starburst on his website proclaiming 'We Carbon Offset!' and so attract more business, I fully understand. )Interesting link here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/1...
Simpo Two said:
I am entirely confident it will do nothing to change the climate, if that is the actual concern. But if the OP wants to have a starburst on his website proclaiming 'We Carbon Offset!' and so attract more business, I fully understand.
Interesting link here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/1...
Its actually a genuine concern, and something that I would like to address, if I can help, I will.Interesting link here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/1...
Certainly won't be ploughing money into something like you have described, thats why I wanted to ask on here as its new territory for me.
Simpo Two said:
StevieBee said:
There are also those who see offsetting as simply the easy option - buying their way to absolution rather than doing or attempting to do anything tangible themselves. This is like paying the Church for indulgence and is rarely effective. Such companies normally stand out like a sore thumb and the primary cause of why offsetting is seen so dimly by some (including, it seems, Simpo, here )
I am entirely confident it will do nothing to change the climate, if that is the actual concern. But if the OP wants to have a starburst on his website proclaiming 'We Carbon Offset!' and so attract more business, I fully understand. )Interesting link here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/1...
To give you an idea of how this works, my daughter is Carbon Manager for one the UK's largest construction firms. Their primary customer is the government (they build schools, hospitals, etc.). For every new build, the carbon equivalence output has to be calculated and a target met. This requires that every single component used in the build has to have its carbon impact measured. Where targets cannot be met the manufacturers of those products can offset the difference - but that offsetting has to also be verified. If they don't then they don't get the order and because all the major construction firms are following the same approach, they'll end up with no business.
As to the effect of offsetting, the impacts can be very positive and tangible. I mentioned Waste Aid previously. They're a non-profit outfit that work in low and middle income nations to improve local waste management practices. In these places you find huge dumpsites that have been constantly burning who knows what for decades and spewing toxic leachate into the groundwater. Sorting these out is a monumental undertaking, technically, physical and financially. But, the money they get from corporate CSR (amongst other sources) enables them to do so. This is direct, tangible and evidential impact. There's plenty of other similar organisations doing similarly good work, all of which feeds into the UN Sustainable Development Goals reporting systems of which the UK Government is fully committed part of (being as it was they who created the SDGs in the first place!).
Edited by StevieBee on Thursday 12th May 12:43
StevieBee clearly knows his stuff. Can't pick any holes in it ;-)
We actually do Carbon Footprint audits, Carbon Reduction plans etc as a consultancy service. We do them to BSI PAS2060 standard verified by NQA. Which is internationally recognised and was used for COP26 for example. Many companies now to avoid Greenwashing claims and because it's sensible are putting the money they woudl put into offsetting into technnology and other things to reduce their carbon footprint. Offsetting should only be used as short term measure and/or for where Carbon can't be reduced.
One of the few places you can buy offsets that meet the Greenhouse Gas Protocols Standard is:
https://www.goldstandard.org/
Buying here is better than planting trees for some scheme where you don't know how/what/why etc etc.
We actually do Carbon Footprint audits, Carbon Reduction plans etc as a consultancy service. We do them to BSI PAS2060 standard verified by NQA. Which is internationally recognised and was used for COP26 for example. Many companies now to avoid Greenwashing claims and because it's sensible are putting the money they woudl put into offsetting into technnology and other things to reduce their carbon footprint. Offsetting should only be used as short term measure and/or for where Carbon can't be reduced.
One of the few places you can buy offsets that meet the Greenhouse Gas Protocols Standard is:
https://www.goldstandard.org/
Buying here is better than planting trees for some scheme where you don't know how/what/why etc etc.
P.S. NGA are putting on a series of 4 webinars on calculating your carbon footprint etc. 2 already delivered (recordings available) and 3rd one is all about Carbon Offsetting:
https://www.nqa.com/en-gb/resources/events/series-...
https://www.nqa.com/en-gb/resources/events/series-...
you could contact these people.
https://www.climatecare.org/
I happen to know the MD, so it is a legit business having won many awards.. I would say that there is a lot of money to be made in this industry.
https://www.climatecare.org/
I happen to know the MD, so it is a legit business having won many awards.. I would say that there is a lot of money to be made in this industry.
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