Climate Change: How Your Small Business Can Make a Big Impact
According to statistics, about 100 of the several businesses in the world are responsible for 71% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gas emissions are the nasty by-product of manufacturing that play a leading role in causing global warming.
Suffice to say; businesses should be at the forefront in promoting campaigns to manage climate change.
Albeit industries being the root cause for global warming, it is a necessary element for the development of humankind. More and more innovations keep arising, which have a significant impact on the environment.
It is a legal mandate for companies to ensure the responsible discarding of their waste in every country. Improper waste management is one of the leading causes of climate change.
As a business, your operations will most likely lead to an impact on the environment. It is your sole duty to ensure that you manage any impact you create on your environs.
Below are helpful tips your business can embrace in taking action against climate change:
Manage Your Waste
The entire globe is embracing a plastic-free environment, and so should your business. Plastic is one of the chief contributors to climate change due to its inability to decompose. A plastic bag can take several years before it breaks down.
The presence of plastic in soil releases harmful toxins that affect vegetation. More so, the burning of plastics can release toxic emissions that contribute to global warming.
It would be best to rethink your waste and adapt to material that quickly degrades in the environment. If this is not possible, implementing a take-back mechanism can help manage your trash and keep it away from the environment.
Create a Policy
An effective way to show your business' commitment is through a policy. A policy outlines your company's obligation to protect the environment and the actions you intend to take.
It becomes easier to create actionable items that can be a value-addition to your business with a policy. Your policy can detail your company's measures as a general rule of thumb to ensure sustainability.
These measures can include the use of green technology or low-carbon emissions for your factory.
Educate Your Employees
As your business gears towards becoming environmentally conscious, so should your employees. You need to train your staff on the company's policy on climate change.
Creating awareness promotes positive action from your employees, and it will help your business achieve its sustainable goals.
Enforcing minor items such as proper resource management of paper and water in the office can be helpful measures to keep track of your carbon footprint.
It is also essential to train your employees on how climate change consequently affects their health and wellbeing. According to Dee Agarwal, employees can use digital tools that can help promote their health, especially during a pandemic.
Use Smart Technology
One way to manage your carbon footprint is through saving on energy. Investing in innovative technology can help reduce your utility consumption.
For example, using a programmable thermostat for your HVAC units can help control the temperature in your offices. If one of your team members forgets to switch off the unit, you can automatically switch them off from your home's comfort.
Keep a lookout for Energy Star-rated devices. The devices are more efficient and consume less energy compared to their counterparts.
Finally, adopting some of these measures can be overwhelming for a small business. With your cash interest focus being on production, building a company that is also environmentally sound can help you make significant savings.
###