How to cut carbon emissions from energy use
Reducing energy use is one of the simplest ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your business.
All businesses can reduce their energy use, benefiting the environment and their bottom line. Saving energy can also have other benefits, including boosting employees' morale and an improved business reputation.
One first step to take is to monitor your business’s energy use; then, look into your systems and processes to see where energy savings can be made.
Carbon Trust: Energy management self-assessment tool
There are many changes your business can make to cut carbon emissions from energy use. Depending on your type of business there might be energy efficiency savings to be made in lighting, heating systems, refrigeration systems, industrial processes, etc. For information on reducing energy use in your business, read our guideline: Energy efficiency
The changes you make can be as small as turning electrical equipment off overnight or changing your light bulbs to energy-efficient ones. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates that traditional light bulbs waste 95 per cent of the energy they use as heat. Energy-efficient bulbs are up to 80 per cent more efficient than traditional bulbs and each bulb could save you up to £40 over its lifetime.
Energy Saving Trust: Energy Efficient Lighting
Buildings can be a major contributor to carbon emissions, often through inefficient energy use. See, in this guideline, How to cut carbon emissions from business buildings.
You may want to consider larger measures where the financial benefits are more long term, such as investing in new energy-saving plant or machinery. See: Carbon Trust: An SME guide to financing energy efficiency projects
You may also be eligible for tax breaks, if you invest in certain energy-saving equipment. See, in this guideline, Tax breaks to encourage energy efficiency.
Further information
- Scotland's Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation fund
- Carbon Trust: Advising towards Net Zero
- Carbon Trust: The journey to Net Zero for SMEs guide
- Scottish Enterprise: Net Zero Accelerator Tool for businesses Free tool making recommendations across five key areas on your route towards net zero.
- EAUC: Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework
- Scottish Enterprise: Develop a low carbon strategy for your businesses
- Business Energy Scotland: Green Champions Training Free, CPD certified, online training for SMEs, consisting of a series of modules that will help develop the skills and knowledge needed to put in place effective resource efficiency measures in your business. They deal with energy, waste and water efficiency. You can work through them at your own speed, choosing the modules that are relevant to your business.