The UK government has set out a rather ambitious plan to become completely net zero by 2050 and businesses are falling over themselves to follow suit as climate change continues to make headlines and decimate livelihoods. Being net zero is not only great for the environment and great for your PR but could save you a fair amount of money in the long term too.

What does NET ZERO mean?

Essentially, being new zero means completely carbon neutral. This is defined as “achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere of the earth.” Of course, there are many ways to measure your carbon footprint but for most businesses, it will rely primarily on energy usage.

With that in mind, here are some of the easy steps you could start taking today to ensure your business achieves a net zero target by 2025.

Reducing energy consumption – An obvious one, granted, but there are so many ways you can start reducing your energy now. It can be hundreds of little things like ensuring all computers are shut off at the end of a working day, that all lightbulbs are swapped for energy-efficient LED bulbs, and that there are incentives in place among the staff to keep energy use at a bare minimum, where possible.

Recycling – Implementing a strong recycling program is another obvious way to promote your net zero mission and cut down on emissions. Install recycling bins around the office and remind all employees that recycling is not only their choice but also their duty.

Get electric – Electric cars are not the punchlines they once were. Indeed, thanks to companies such as Tesla, they are now quite desirable. DS electric cars are particularly handy, as they have a battery life of up to 200 miles and can be fully charged in under an hour. Promote electric vehicle use at your workplace and offer incentives for employees who use them. Perhaps even have a charging station installed.

Source sustainable suppliers – A major step towards net zero could be changing your suppliers. Do your research and only settle for suppliers that share your environmental values. You can also make an effort here to create a community of like-minded businesses that share the same climate-smart politics and ideals. By fostering a community of like-minded businesses that share your climate-smart ideals, you can collectively contribute to reducing the overall environmental impact, right down to the materials and custom shipping boxes you use in your operations. In addition, Some custom packaging is designed with reusability in mind. Customers can repurpose the boxes for storage, gifting, or other uses, which not only adds value but also extends the brand’s presence in the customer’s life.

Measure your footprint – Measuring your carbon footprint can be as simple as filling in an online form if you’re an individual or a household but for a business, it’s slightly more complicated. Still, it’s something you’ll want to look into if keeping track of your progress is important to you.

Finally, just be realistic and don’t try to do too much too soon. Take your time and implement big changes gradually. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to total carbon neutrality!