why carbon balance?

The business sector is responsible for around 40% of the UK's annual carbon dioxide emissions and as climate change remains high on both the political and consumer agenda, businesses are under increasing pressure to address the environmental impact associated with their operations. Progressive businesses are concentrating on improving energy efficiency, gaining a competitive edge from reduced energy costs, increased profits, and demonstrable corporate responsibility.

Ceiba trichistandra, Dry Forest Endemic,
Western Ecuador © Nigel Simpson

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) encourages UK businesses to consider the economic, social and environmental impacts of their activities on the world. Studies show that nearly two thirds of UK consumers are more likely to buy from a business which they think is actively addressing the issue of climate change. By offsetting through WLT organisations are also contributing to biodiversity conservation as well as climate change mitigation, resulting in a much stronger and more compelling CSR story.

WLT recommends that businesses follow three steps:

• Calculate your business emissions - assess your emissions by submitting a free carbon emissions audit form to WLT online and discover the carbon footprint associated with your organisation's energy use.
• Reduce emissions at source - WLT recommends websites which provide advice on how to reduce your emissions and the impact your business has on the environment.
• Offset the remainder - offset your emissions which cannot be avoided through the Carbon Balanced restoration ecology projects.