With a brand new decade just around the corner, why not make a new years resolution that will benefit the entire planet? This year, we’re encouraging our clients (and everyone else) to set the goal of carbon neutrality.

Going carbon neutral involves calculating, reducing, and then offsetting all emissions associated with a company’s activities, from business travel to office electrical consumption. There are may advantages to adding carbon neutrality goals to your company’s green initiatives, including:

• Cost savings from reduced energy consumption – Since electricity use constitutes the majority of emissions for many business, working toward carbon neutrality will inevitably lead to energy efficiency and reduction efforts.
• Positive publicity – Let’s face it, going green is hot right now. Your customers and employees will appreciate this effort to reduce your company’s climate impact.
• Preparation for future regulation - With the EPA’s recent crackdown on corporate emissions, not to mention looming cap-and-trade laws, it’s entirely possible that your business will need to calculate and reduce its carbon footprint in the near future. By creating a carbon inventory and taking steps to reduce emissions now, you won’t be caught off guard when new regulations come down the pipe.

Can a business realistically achieve zero emissions? It’s easier than you think, and there are a lot of businesses already doing it. Business for Social Responsibility lists a handful of carbon neutral businesses, including big names such as Nike, HSBC and NewsCorp.

If company-wide neutrality is out of reach, try thinking a little smaller. Many companies host carbon neutral events, offset emissions for specific items such as company travel, or offer carbon neutral products. However, simply offsetting one or two business functions and then crowning your entire company ‘carbon neutral’ is greenwashing, so be specific and transparent about any green claims your company makes.

We’ll be posting more hands-on advice for going carbon neutral in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we invite you to learn more about our greenhouse gas accounting and management services, contact us if you’d like to know more. Happy New Year!