Consumers are ever increasing looking at companies environmental and social credentials when deciding which company to use. Whether it is the sustainable credentials of the products, the operations of the company or just wanting to offset any carbon emissions caused by the product or service as a result of a purchase[1]. Buying responsibly and sustainably in the first instance can help reduce the need for carbon offsetting, through purchasing energy efficient products, such as recycled paper. If you are looking at ways to offset any carbon emissions created by your comany, have a look at Energy Saving Warehouse’s tools and services.
The introduction of the Scope 3 Corporate Value chain reporting and with an increasing concern towards the life cycle impacts of products, businesses need to ensure they provide transparency to clients concerning their operations and environmental impact.
Improving your environmental impact as a business doesn’t have to be trivial, just promoting your credentials or actions on-line on your website will be enough to show your commitment to reducing your businesses impact on the planet. If you are more committed and want to show you are at a baseline standard there are numerous ISO standards which can be implemented at cost to your business.
Below are a few easy tips to increasing your businesses environmental transparency:
- Showing Off: Using your website to portray any positive actions or mitigation measures is an cost effective and easy promotional tool, by creating a section on your website which discusses your ‘environmental responsibilities’, listing any internal office measures e.g. recycling, energy efficiency schemes, staff transport schemes. If you do it ‘flaunt’ it, customers aren’t going to always go looking for the information so ensure your headings are located where they will attract attention[2].
- Environmental Policy: If your company doesn’t already have an environmental policy, I advise you write one. An environmental policy is a one paged document which outlines your commitments to reducing your environmental impact. There are numerous ways of laying this document out, with advice provided in the below links.
http://www.british-assessment.co.uk/articles/writing-an-environmental-policy
http://www.is4profit.com/business-advice/green-business/writing-your-first-environmental-policy.html
http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/environment/enviromanagement/greening/DevPolicy.pdf
Use the policy to influence business decisions and set targets for improvement. Promotion of your policy allows for the promotion of your commitment to the future. Promote any environmental management standards or awards you may have, promoting your future commitment to reducing the businesses impact. Conduct research into your sectors policy examples to ensure you are including all possible reductions.
- ISO 14000 Standards: In implementing set standards, whether it is ISO14001: Environmental Management[3], ISO140400[4] or The GHG Protocol[5] you can ensure your business is operating to a set standard, advertising quality and future proof operations. Implementing standards may be costly but they offer future assurance and protection from shocks which could be costly. Promoting preventative actions rather than dealing with issues once they have occurred reducing your vulnerability and ensures a sustained future for your business.
-Social Responsibility: Community engagement is a great way to keep your staff motivated and your business in touch with local communities. By setting up local voluntary or donation schemes at work, you can ensure your business gives back to the community.
- Running bake sales for charities
- Donating goods to charities
- Allowing staff days off to help community causes
- Sponsoring local causes or clubs
- Engagement schemes
These are just a few of the schemes which could be run to ensure you help the community in which you are based. Improving your corporate social responsibility
Extended Reading
http://www.unilever.co.uk/sustainable-living/ceo-review/embeddingsustainability/index.aspx
