We know you will have heard these suggestions many times before.  And yes, reducing emissions really is straight forward.  Here is our version of Sybil Fawlty’s specialist subject*.

To reduce your business’ emissions try some or all of the following ideas.  Most of these will also save you money and tax.

Generally
1 Reduce carbon emissions and resource usage
2 Monitor your business’ emissions
3 Tell your suppliers, employees and customers that you care
4 Draw up a simple one page environmental policy
5 Ensure that you meet all environmental legislation

Travel
1 Plan your work to avoid or reduce travelling
2 Travel by foot or cycle when possible
3 Travel by bus, coach or train
4 If you must use a car avoid rush hour and scenic routes
5 Drive a car with low emissions, preferably below 120g/km
6 Don’t exceed speed limits or accelerate hard
7 Allow employees to work from home if you can
8 Don’t fly for business reasons, use technology instead
9 Create a car share scheme with incentives for employees

Deliveries
1 Maximise order quantities as far as possible
2 Buy goods made locally, in the UK and Ireland, or Europe (in that order)
3 Purchase goods delivered from local warehouses

Heating and Power
1 Buy certified 100% renewable electricity
2 Turn off computers at night and monitors at lunch time
3 Leave lights on all night (…just kidding)
4 Use energy efficient bulbs
5 Use heating sensibly, 20C is warm (16C is the minimum)
6 Set timing controls to avoid heating empty buildings
7 Avoid air conditioning (combat global warming instead!)
8 Turn down water heating, many taps run far too hot
9 Turn off appliances at the plug when not in use
10 Only boil the amount of water you need

Water
1 Toilets should not flush all night long
2 Installing grey water systems if water usage is high
3 Tap water in the UK is perfectly safe, chill it in the fridge

Purchasing
1 Purchase recycled goods whenever available
2 Check for manufactures' environmental policies
3 Use green lists to establish best choices
4 Don't buy over packaged products

Printing and Stationery
1 Offices that are almost paperless have huge efficiency gains
2 Use paper made from 100% recycled post consumer waste
3 Print double sided, and set printers to default to this
4 Use a print company that has a waterless printing system

Waste
1 Only buy what is needed
2 Service and repair is often better than buying new
3 Compost kitchen waste and tea bags
4 Recycle everything
5 Measure waste that goes to land fill
6 Don’t use disposable cups, plates or cutlery
7 Monitor all possible pollutants

Buildings
1 Ensure insulation is maximised
2 Installing a grey water system save water and energy
3 Consider wood burning boilers

* Sybil Fawlty’s specialist subject on Mastermind should be “The bleedin’ obvious”, according to Basil.