To benefit your pocket and the planet, improve efficiency and decrease emissions.
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Why you should take this step
Well done – you’ve reached the implementation phase of your carbon neutrality journey! There is not one, single way to reduce the emissions produced by your business, as your chosen approach will depend on how your operations work. While one organization might focus on energy efficiency, another could focus on waste disposal or employee commuting. Read on to learn how to select the approach that fits your organization.
Questions on your mind
Where can I find emission reduction opportunities within my business?
How do I reduce my company’s carbon footprint, if I can’t reduce our production or consumption?
What amount of emissions will my internal reductions program eliminate?
Understand the two approaches
There are two main approaches to reducing emissions within your business: using less and going green. Ideally, you incorporate aspects of both into your pledge.
Use less: Reduce your level of production and consumption, to eliminate your emissions from these activities.
Go green: Maintain your current level of production and consumption, but minimize your emissions from these activities by switching to more environmentally-friendly methods.
See what happens if you use less
Use less material
If your company consumes virgin metal in its production process: Consuming 10% less material equals a 10% reduction in carbon emissions
Use less electricity
If your company uses electricity to power your business: Reducing 15% of electricity consumption equals a 15% reduction in carbon emissions
Commute less
If half of your employees work from home once a week, instead of commuting by car that day, you will reduce carbon emissions by 10%
See what happens if you go green
Use recycled material
If your company consumes virgin metal in its production process: Switching to 10% recycled material equals a 6% reduction in carbon emissions
Use renewable energy
If your company uses electricity to power your business: Switching to 15% renewable energy equals a 13% reduction in carbon emissions
Take the train
If half of your employees take the train once a week, instead of commuting by car, you will reduce carbon emissions by 7%
Tip
The best combination of initiatives depends on your situation. For instance, if your organization is already advanced in reducing waste and there is little room for improvement, you may want to explore environmentally-friendly disposal methods.
Set up your reduction program
Whichever route you choose, your internal reduction program should generally follow the same steps: assess the situation, identify reduction opportunities, allocate resources, execute, keep track of progress and adjust where necessary. For a detailed look at this process, download the full ‘10 Steps to Becoming a Carbon Neutral Business’.
How robust data boosts your reduction program
Creates your baseline.
Shows where reductions will have the most impact.
Demonstrates progress to your leaders.
Reveals potential financial savings.
Provides input for sustainability reporting commitments, including the UN Global Compact or Global Reporting Initiative.
Reflection point
Have you identified ways to reduce emissions from your business?
You’re on the right path! Finding ways to reduce emissions means scrutinizing your existing facilities, processes and sometimes policies. As a bonus, these initiatives often come with cost saving opportunities. If you have consultants on board, ask for their insights on best practices from other companies and compare your emissions performance to your peers.
Now’s the time to take a good, hard look at your business. Finding ways to reduce emissions means scrutinizing your existing facilities, processes and sometimes policies. As a bonus, these initiatives often come with cost saving opportunities. If you have consultants on board, ask for their insights on best practices from other companies and compare your emissions performance to your peers.
Have you set a realistic emissions reduction target?
That’s great! Keep in mind that switching to environmentally-friendly activities will minimize your emissions, but they won’t go to zero. For example, recycling waste avoids the emissions associated with sending it to a landfill. However, it still generates emissions from transportation and processing. To eliminate emissions from waste, you need to stop generating it in the first place.
When setting your target, remember that switching to environmentally-friendly activities will minimize your emissions, but they won’t go to zero. For example, recycling waste avoids the emissions associated with sending it to a landfill. However, it still generates emissions from transportation and processing. To eliminate emissions from waste, you need to stop generating it in the first place.
Do you know who should lead your emission reduction program?
Reducing emissions from a specific source can be technical, so you are likely working closely with subject matter experts who know the ins and outs of the process. Avoid leading all activities from a centralized Sustainability department as it won’t drive business ownership. Spread responsibility for your emission reduction program across your organization and embed it in existing functions.
Reducing emissions from a specific source can be technical, so work closely with subject matter experts who know the ins and outs of the process. Avoid leading all activities from a centralized Sustainability department as it won’t drive business ownership. Spread responsibility for your emission reduction program across your organization and embed it in existing functions.
The lm wind power way
Energy efficiency first
Baseline data revealed where we could have the most impact, both in terms of emission reduction and financial savings. To reduce emissions from electricity usage, we introduced an Energy Efficiency Program driven by a Global Energy Efficiency Manager. Colleagues at sites worldwide implemented specific reduction measures, which we identified during a detailed audit of six sites.
The lm wind power way
Stunning savings
By reducing our overall electricity consumption by 12 percent, we expect approximately $3 million annual savings! In 2018, we achieved five percent of the projected savings, and we’ll realize the rest once we fully implement all initiatives.
Investing in energy management reduces energy usage, which cuts back on CO2 emissions and improves our bottom line – proving once again that sustainable business is good business!
- Christopher Springham, VP Global Communications & Sustainability
Watch: India's energy efficiency champions!
Our blade factories reduced energy consumption through three key initiatives: controlling ventilation, implementing an Energy Management System and installing LED lights. Visit our Sustainability Report for more on Dabaspet, India’s energy efficiency drive.
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