reduce your business carbon dioxide emissions
Without doubt, the most fundamental step an organisation can take to mitigate
its impact on the environment is to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases. Once a free carbon
emissions audit has been completed the next step is to take action to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions at source. There are many simple steps which
can significantly reduce the energy use of an organisation.

Mature cloud forest tree, Buenaventura,
Ecuador © Andy Blyth
It is WLT's hope that organisations returning to the Carbon Balanced Programme
for offset renewals will have reduced the amount of their unavoidable CO2
emissions through energy reduction measures. An effective emissions reduction
strategy can also assist your organisation to become more sustainable, which
is important if rising energy costs are set to continue.
Only after energy reduction has been achieved should offsetting be considered.
Offsetting alone will not solve the global climate challenge but it can
play an important role if used as part of a complete mitigation approach.
Offset your emissions which
cannot be avoided through the Carbon Balanced Programme.
WLT does not offer a specialist reduction advice service, but recommends
that all organisations should seek advice from organisations such as;
- CRed - www.cred-uk.org WLT have
strong links with the Carbon Reduction Programme (CRed) which is associated
with the University of East Anglia. It offers advice and help to
both individuals and businesses on energy efficiency. They have designed
their own CRed Business Standard which is a simple, six-step process that
avoids the complicated and formal auditing requirements of a typical environmental
management system.
- Carbon Trust - www.carbontrust.co.uk
The Carbon Trust delivers practical solutions, working with business to
identify carbon emissions and find ways of cutting them; providing the
know-how and resources (including funding) to help them do so.
- Envirowise – www.envirowise.gov.uk
Envirowise offers free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical
ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
- Regional Development Agencies - www.englandsrdas.com
Contact your local Regional Development Agency to find out where to go
for general resource efficiency advice.
- Business Link - www.businesslink.gov.uk
Provides advice on how to become a more sustainable organisation.
- Energy Saving Trust - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
The Energy Saving Trust encourages energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources
into the economic fabric of society. They promote the use of cleaner fuels
for transport and better insulation and heating efficiency for buildings.
- Greener Events – www.oursouthwest.com/SusBus/gevents.html Greener Events provides useful hints and tips for planning greener conferences.