STEP 1: Measure your carbon footprint
An important first step to reducing your business’ CO2 emissions is to measure its carbon footprint. With this information, you can set targets and take action to reduce emissions across the business.
According to the Carbon Trust, the term ‘carbon footprint’ is “the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for which an individual or organisation is responsible.” Sources of CO2 emissions can include a business’ processes, electricity use, or the transport used by its employees. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol groups sources of emissions under the following 3 categories:
- SCOPE 1: Direct emissions that result from activities the organisation controls
- SCOPE 2: Emissions from the use of electricity
- SCOPE 3: Indirect emissions from products and services
By measuring your business’ carbon footprint you can benchmark its emissions, set relevant targets and understand what actions can be taken to improve its impact.
