Why Is It Imperative Businesses Cut Down on Carbon Emissions?
by j-nevil in Workshop > Science
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Why Is It Imperative Businesses Cut Down on Carbon Emissions?
As factories continue to emit huge amounts of gases into the atmosphere every year we are beginning to see the effects of climate change. The UK this year experienced one of the coldest springs on record and at the rate we are polluting the atmosphere the weather could carry on getting more volatile as the years go by.
With new EU legislations in place that are forcing companies to lower their emissions by 20% in comparison to the levels of output in 1990. This presents businesses with a problem as they will have to change the way they manufacture their products or services in order to meet the EU targets. In this article I will discuss some of the best ways a company can reduce their emissions and the impact this will have on the way a business is perceived by customers.
With new EU legislations in place that are forcing companies to lower their emissions by 20% in comparison to the levels of output in 1990. This presents businesses with a problem as they will have to change the way they manufacture their products or services in order to meet the EU targets. In this article I will discuss some of the best ways a company can reduce their emissions and the impact this will have on the way a business is perceived by customers.
Renewable Energy
One of the best ways a business can begin to reduce their carbon emissions is by investing in renewable energy. At the moment the main renewable energy sources being used to power businesses are the following:
• Solar Energy
• Wind Energy
• Natural Gas
• Hydropower
These are extremely important technologies that businesses can start investing in if they can overcome the initial installation costs. The long term benefit of renewable energy is a business will always have power as renewable energy will never be depleted which means eventually they will be saving money on their energy bills as well as reducing their carbon emissions.
• Solar Energy
• Wind Energy
• Natural Gas
• Hydropower
These are extremely important technologies that businesses can start investing in if they can overcome the initial installation costs. The long term benefit of renewable energy is a business will always have power as renewable energy will never be depleted which means eventually they will be saving money on their energy bills as well as reducing their carbon emissions.
Emissions Monitoring
A further way in which a business can reduce its carbon emissions is by emission monitoring. Emission monitoring is when a business uses gas analysers to determine the type, volumes and rate the business is outputting gases into the atmosphere.
The advantage a company has if they install emissions monitoring equipment is they will be able to read and more importantly control the rate in which they emit pollutants into the atmosphere. This gives a company the reputation of adhering to EU emissions guidelines.
The advantage a company has if they install emissions monitoring equipment is they will be able to read and more importantly control the rate in which they emit pollutants into the atmosphere. This gives a company the reputation of adhering to EU emissions guidelines.
Go Digital
A third way in which a business can reduce their carbon emissions is by going digital. As technology has evolved many businesses now store their documentation online. The effect this has is it will reduce the amount of deforestation taking place which previously would be used to provide paper for the company. In addition as trees use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis it can severely decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere.
A further way businesses can use latest digital technology to reduce the amount of carbon they are emitting is by ensuring they upgrade their computers systems and other electrical components. A perfect way in which a business could make an immediate change is something as simple as changing their light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs. This is a low cost quick solution however if a company has the scope to make wholesale changes then revamping their machinery to the latest models will mean the business will be more efficient and therefore use less energy to complete each product.
A further way businesses can use latest digital technology to reduce the amount of carbon they are emitting is by ensuring they upgrade their computers systems and other electrical components. A perfect way in which a business could make an immediate change is something as simple as changing their light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs. This is a low cost quick solution however if a company has the scope to make wholesale changes then revamping their machinery to the latest models will mean the business will be more efficient and therefore use less energy to complete each product.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The main advantage for a company who continuously takes steps to reduce carbon emissions is they will be perceived by being a socially responsible company. This can have the following impacts on the success of a company’s brand:
• Increases the brands authority and reputation.
• Will have more staff willing to work for them as they are seen as an ethical company.
• Can give a business a competitive advantage over rivals that are not currently using environmentally friendly methods.
• This could lead to customers being prepared to pay more for your products and services.
Ultimately companies will eventually have to resort to green methods to combat climate change however there are opportunities that can be taken advantage of in the meantime to capitalise on the benefits of being an environmentally friendly company.
Images Sources
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pericoterrades/202928848/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveclarkecb/304089089/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wak1/488723329/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traftery/3231329018/sizes/m/in/photostream/
• Increases the brands authority and reputation.
• Will have more staff willing to work for them as they are seen as an ethical company.
• Can give a business a competitive advantage over rivals that are not currently using environmentally friendly methods.
• This could lead to customers being prepared to pay more for your products and services.
Ultimately companies will eventually have to resort to green methods to combat climate change however there are opportunities that can be taken advantage of in the meantime to capitalise on the benefits of being an environmentally friendly company.
Images Sources
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pericoterrades/202928848/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveclarkecb/304089089/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wak1/488723329/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traftery/3231329018/sizes/m/in/photostream/