How can businesses include renewable energy options into their policies?

In the wake of the ‘Extinction Rebellion’ protests bringing the centre of London to a standstill, while they demanded action from Parliament on climate change & the tireless message Greta Thunberg has brought to the world about what she sees as a ‘climate crisis’; communities & businesses alike are now even more keenly aware of their responsibilities to make changes in the light of advancing climate change.

Most businesses have already got environmental policies in place, but in light of the increased needs of our environment, these are having to be reviewed to accommodate an ever changing business landscape.

One of the many ways in which businesses are reacting to climate change, is through their energy usage & energy consumption. Two giants of industry & household names IKEA & Siemens have both pledged to invest heavily in renewable energies & carbon neutrality.

IKEA

The company wants to purchase 100% renewable energy by 2020, and use only renewable and recycled materials in its products by the same year. It plans to make its home deliveries emissions free by 2025. (1)

Siemens

The world’s largest industrial manufacturer has pledged to be completely carbon neutral by the year 2030. It will use distributed energy systems at it’s production facilities & office buildings & will increase it’s use of renewable energy – such as natural gas & wind power. (2)

So how could your business benefit from tapping in to the benefits of renewable energy?

Shell Energy

Under the brand name ‘Shell Energy’, Shell are offering business packages to support those seeking to incorporate renewable energies as part of their environmental policies.

Shell Energy Marketing & Trading provides more and cleaner energy solutions across a global portfolio of gas, power and environmental products to meet current and future energy needs of our customers: energy producers, asset owners, traders, wholesalers and large industrial customers. (3)

But, how could you begin to change your energy consumption & be more mindful of your climate impact? Virtually Smart Ltd have in this week’s blog created some posing questions to ask of you & your business, to help guide & cultivate a renewable energy policy which reflects the ever increasing need for renewable energy & aiming towards carbon neutrality.

Energy supplier.

Do you know what exactly you are paying for, through your company energy? Do you pay direct to a company or is your energy included in the building rent? Are you aware if your energy is renewable & or the environmental policy of your energy supplier?

Challenging your energy supplier to ascertain what they are doing in the fight for global climate change is one way to take control of your energy usage. In addition, asking for a smart meter to be installed in your business, will allow you to see where your usage is at it’s highest point. Taking control of your energy usage & reducing your consumption; can not only dramatically help with your carbon footprint, but will also reduce your expenditure.

Switch off at the end of a day.

How many of us walk away from the office or work space at the end of a day & actually remember to switch everything off? Leaving lights, printers, laptops, copiers, anything with a power source on or even on stand-by, can affect your energy usage. Laptops use considerably less energy usage than traditional desk top PC’s & using an energy monitor can also reduce your energy usage.

“Around 21 per cent of Brits admit to leaving lights on when going to work which produces enough carbon emissions to match 45 flights around the world, while 10 per cent regularly do so when leaving a room and 7 per cent keep a light on when going to bed.” (4)

How can your company demonstrate ‘Clean growth’?

How can your company currently demonstrate ‘Clean growth’?, Do you have an environmental policy in place? Even if you are a sole trader, you have a responsibility to be mindful of how your business is leaving it’s carbon footprint & what changes could you make today to reduce this.

Simple actions can have giant global results. Consider the ripple effect. It is so easy, but if we all make subtle & simple changes to our working methods, we can all be more responsible for our little blue planet’s future.

Written by Katy Jane on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd.