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Things Businesses Can Do For The Environment (Little Things Businesses Can…
Things Businesses Can Do For The Environment
For small businesses: How to measure and report your own greenhouse gas emissions. DEFRA.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69494/pb13310-ghg-small-business-guide.pdf
The Green Finance Strategy is looking at bringing in the idea that businesses need to disclose operational energy use.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/813656/190701_BEIS_Green_Finance_Strategy_Accessible_PDF_FINAL.pdf
The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Framework (April 2019) looked at simplifying carbon and energy reporting requirements for businesses. This will extend the number of organisations required to report on their energy use and emissions in their annual reports. This is a mandatory reporting operation for large or quoted companies and large liability partnerships.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/813656/190701_BEIS_Green_Finance_Strategy_Accessible_PDF_FINAL.pdf
The Green Finance Strategy also outlines supportive policies including a £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund which will support businesses with high energy use transition to a low carbon future and cut their bills.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/813656/190701_BEIS_Green_Finance_Strategy_Accessible_PDF_FINAL.pdf
Statistics
Government figures showed that in 2017, solar panels and wind farms produced more electricity than the UK's 8 nuclear power stations for the first time.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/811971/Electricity_June_2019.pdf
[2017] A survey of industrial companies in the UK found that 17% plan to generate a significant proportion of their own electricity within 5 years and a further 45% want to reduce their dependence on the grid by producing power on site.
https://www.pwc.co.uk/press-room/press-releases/energy-companies-have-power-to-boost-smart-business-revolution.html
Energy consumption by British businesses has risen by almost a third in the past 40 years. The money spent on industrial energy consumption in the UK remains among the highest in the group of 26 countries that make the International Energy Agency's membership.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/operations-and-logistics/renault/businesses-backing-clean-energy/
Multiple statistics with comparison to the 20th century:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/728374/UK_Energy_in_Brief_2018.pdf
73% of millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable items.
More than 80% of UK businesses generating renewable energy onsite plan to increase capacity over the next 5 years. This will see them becoming the power plant of the future.
https://www.edie.net/news/6/Onsite-generation--UK-businesses-primed-to-become--power-plants-of-the-future-/
In the last year just under £1 million pound has been awarded to community groups and businesses across Dorset to help them reduce their carbon footprints by Low Carbon Dorset. It has helped fund the installation of solar panels, the development of the county's first zero carbon housing site, the installation of biomass boilers, a new energy system and solar PV panels.
https://news.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/2019/06/07/1m-awarded-to-dorsets-community-groups-and-businesses-to-help-tackle-climate-change/
Low Carbon Dorset has helped reduce the county's carbon emissions by an estimated 1000 tonnes of CO2 a year. It will continue to grant funding until the end of 2020.
Little Things Businesses Can Do
Switch to post-consumer waste. Try to go entirely paperless, but if you do have to use paper make sure you use eco-friendly paper. PCW paper is made from the paper we place in recycling bins each day. Making this paper uses 45% less energy and creates half the waste of the traditional papermaking process.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateharrison/2013/02/07/10-ways-to-green-your-business-and-save-money/#eb3efd337534
Use biodegradable cleaning products which reduce exposure to harsh toxins and chemicals. ECOZONE create innovative home cleaning, maintenance solutions and products. They are environmentally conscious and aware of CO2 levels. They are palm oil free, use plant based ingredients, ensure they are safe for aquatic life and use natural and organic materials.
ECOVER cleaning products aim to make all their bottles from recycled plastic by 2020, use less water, they buy local when they can, use plant derived substances, use fragrances clean from toxic chemicals and have one of the world's most ecologically sound factories.
PLUS Japan have released a staple free stapler available on Amazon which is great for companies who have to shred a lot of stapled paperwork.
Terracycle. Some of the recycling schemes they have are Aqua Optima Water filters (Local Sainsbury's stores also have bins these can be thrown into), crisp packet recycling, Spontex Disposable gloves scheme, BIC writing instruments recycling programme. You could either collect the products and elect someone to take them to a drop off point or start up your own drop off point - perfect for industrial estates of businesses in busy areas like high streets.
Win on Waste Campaigns. A local one is at Livability at Holton Lee which allows people to drop off items in office hours. It is run by Ideas2Action who run a number of recycling projects.
Pilot have released the world's first ball point made from recycled plastic bottles. These can also be refilled.
Source second hand furniture or upcycle some existing furniture.
Hall and Woodhouse HQ and managed houses litter pick in their local on their 'Founders Day'. Their team will go around their local areas and collect litter in the morning.
Laptops can use 80% less power than desktops.
https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/09/wasting-electricity-small-business.html
Get your milk from the milkman in glass bottles rather than buying plastic bottles from local supermarkets.
Case Studies
IKEA. Opened a concept store on Tottenham Court Road and their first sustainable store in Greenwich. Staff and customers are encouraged to use public transport with the bus stop just outside. They use a bike courier for smaller items. The rest of the store has been designed using renewable materials and is solar powered. They use hanging cardboard signs. They have worked to define what sustainable living means for them and help customers achieve this.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/c4317592-5470-4f09-8f1d-5e4e8113706e
Bottletop. Pioneered sustainable bag design created a handbag in partnership with Mulberry. They source leather from a program that promotes sustainable farming practices which reduces deforestation and aids rainforest conservation. They use upcycled metal ring pulls to create chain mail fabric. They use no plastic in shipping products, they use recycled cardboard packaging. They opened the world's first 3D printed store made from upcycled ocean plastic in Regent Street, London.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/c4317592-5470-4f09-8f1d-5e4e8113706e
Businesses are now becoming part of RE100 which is a global collaborative initiative that commits companies to 100% renewable energy.
Be Resource Efficient
https://businesswales.gov.wales/zones/corporate-social-responsibility/environment/simple-ways-save-energy
Reduce the temperature in the building by 1 degree and save up to 8% on energy bills each year. The temperature should be 21-22 degrees and air conditioning should only come on above 24 degrees. You should also make sure the heating doesn't come on when the building isn't in use.
Switch off office equipment. A single monitor left on 24 hours a day can cost over £50 a year so make sure these are turned off overnight and over the weekend.
Take monthly meter readings to get an accurate picture of how much energy your business is using and where the biggest savings could be.
It is important to check the tariff your business is on. If you have a day/night tariff but don't use electricity overnight your bills are probably higher than they need to be.
Make sure to check for leaks, dripping taps and faulty valves in your system. A 5mm drip from a single tap can cost more than £900 a year in water and wastewater treatment costs.
Incentives and Financial Assistance
Non Domestic RHI.
Helps businesses, public sector and non-profit organisations meet the cost of installing renewable heat technologies. You can claim for biomass, heat pumps, geothermal, solar thermal collectors, biomethane and biogas, CHP systems. Payments are made over 20 years based on the heat output of the system. You can apply if the equipment was installedin England, Scotland or Wales on or after 15 July 2009.
https://www.gov.uk/non-domestic-renewable-heat-incentive
Low Carbon Dorset
. They offer free technical support, workshops, networking events and grants. They are helping small and medium sized enterprises carry out standard energy efficiency measures and larger low carbon projects. They will support small scale renewable energy installations (up to 5MW), the use of innovative or new technologies and approaches that reduce energy consumption in the business, the development of new products or processes which help reduce carbon emissions. They support in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.
https://www.lowcarbondorset.org.uk/we-support/
Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme
. As part of this you can access the Energy Technology List to provide organisations with the confidence that they are buying plant and machinery that demonstrates a high standard of energy efficiency. The ECA scheme provides financial incentive for business to invest in products that meet the standards for high energy efficiency performance. Companies that buy an Energy Technology List qualifying product are able to receive accelerated tax relief on the purchase of that equipment by claiming a 100% capital allowance in the year of purchase. ECA ACCELERATED TAX RELIEF FOR THE ETL ENDS FOR NEW PRODUCT PURCHASES FROM APRIL 2020.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/819673/ECA272__July_2019.pdf
Green Finance Strategy.
The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund will support businesses with high energy use transition to a low carbon future and cut their bills through increased energy efficiency. Climate Change Agreements provide tax discounts from the Climate Change Levy to incentive energy efficiency action in 53 industrial sectors. The Industrial Heat Recovery Support programme is designed to encourage and support investments in heat recovery technologies in industry.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/820284/190716_BEIS_Green_Finance_Strategy_Accessible_Final.pdf
Electric Vehicles.
They are investing with grants available for ULEV cars, vans, lorries, buses, taxis and motorcycles and schemes to support charge point infrastructure at homes and workplaces and on residential streets.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/820284/190716_BEIS_Green_Finance_Strategy_Accessible_Final.pdf
Workplace Charge Scheme. Provides support for businesses that install charging points on their premises. It helps cover up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs. Extends to a limit of £500 for each charger socket and up to a maximum of 20 charge points per applicant across all business sites. The voucher is valid for 4 months.
100% First Year Allowance (FYA). Businesses can claim a 100% first year allowance to cover the cost of buying a new low emissions vehicle. This allows companies to put the cost of buying a new low emission vehicle against their taxable profits meaning they can claim back a 100% deduction.