Going Green – Sustainability in business and at home - By Lizzy Turek

Saturday 25^th March at 8.30pm is “Earth Hour” where millions of people across the globe unite to show that they care about the future of our planet by switching off for one hour. The movement started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when more than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses switched off their lights for one hour. Now more than 190 countries participate in switch-off events to show their support (Earth Hour: small actions can make a big difference | WWF). Participating cities have turned off the lights for their landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the London Eye and the Empire State Building, letting their silent darkness stand as a symbol of sustainable energy use.

How to spend Earth Hour:

• Put your phone on do not disturb, and enjoy some down time.
• Enjoy a meat-free meal by candlelight with family and friends. 
• Join the live Facebook event, connect with others and share on social media #EarthHourUK and encourage friends and family to join in.

Going Green in Business

Sustainable measures are for all organisations whatever their size as they also need to monitor and reduce their impact on the environment while still providing products and services. Sustainability at work includes conserving energy and water, recycling and reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly working practices.

This year will see new regulations being implemented throughout Europe to reduce plastic waste, increase recycling and reuse, and overall improve circularity and waste efforts. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will make comprehensive sustainability reporting a requirement for around 50,000 companies by 2026. Notwithstanding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the CSRD may impact UK companies because of its extra-territorial application which require disclosure where the companies have securities listed on an EU regulated market or a net turnover in the EU of over €150 million for each of the last two consecutive financial years. Those affected will be required to publish their net zero transition plans outlining how they will become net zero by 2050 (Sustainability Community Insights: net zero transition plans | CBI).

Actions to achieve this include:

• Setting a transition plan to identify the gaps in your journey to net zero.
• Reducing your scope 3 emissions (Purchased goods and services, Business travel, Employee commuting, Waste disposal, Use of sold products, Transportation and distribution, Investments, Leased assets and franchises).
• Including your supply chain and supporting their plans to reduce their emissions.
• Encouraging buy-in across your business from the top down to focus on sustainability.
• Working in partnership and sharing insights by taking part in peer-to-peer learning platforms, such as CBI’s Sustainability Community.

Other green measures for the workplace include:

• Going paperless.
• Switching to Greener Energy supplier.
• Running more energy efficient office buildings.
• Encouraging remote and hybrid working arrangements.
• Recycling as much as possible and promoting the use of recycled products.
• Promoting active travel i.e. walking and cycling.
• Encouraging use of Public Transport.
• Promoting car sharing.
• Providing pooled cars/bikes.
• Creating a staff ‘green team’ to help identify and activate changes and boost morale.

Going Green at Home

On an individual level we each need to play our part. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has provided some top tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint:

• Reduce your energy use and switch to renewable energy(opt for a green energy plan or 100% renewable energy provider, consider installing solar panels/water heaters, LED lights, energy-efficient appliances and properly insulate your home).
• Change the way you travel (walk, cycle, catch public transport, car share, opt for electric vehicles, restrict your flights substantially, choose only direct flights if possible).
• Change what you eat (healthy balanced diet with more fruit, veg and plant based foods, buy meat and fish from sustainable sources and reduce your food waste).
• Change how much you buy and who you buy from (reduce your consumption overall, choose recycled products, recycle whatever you can and support companies who have strong sustainable values and practices).

Other steps include reducing the amount of single use plastic and harsh/harmful chemicals in and around the home. Green Peace have produced The Ultimate Guide to Natural & Reduced Waste Cleaning which includes using everyday items such as white vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, washing up liquid and lemons to spruce up your home!

Get in touch and let us know what your top tips for a greener workplace are!

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate