The impact of climate change is being
felt in eco systems all over the world. From warmer temperatures that are
causing sea levels to rise to erratic weather patterns that present a threat to
human life, it’s clear that action needs to be taken to reduce its effects.
Thankfully, a strategy is now in place
to reverse the effects of climate change and restore harmony to the planet.
Back in June 2019, the UK government
became the first country to sign their ‘Net Zero’ target into law – marking it as the first major economy to legislate
for net zero emissions.[1]
Since then, other governments have followed suit, introducing their own laws
and policy changes to help reduce the amount of carbon we emit.
These changes have had a huge
impact on the way businesses work, inspiring many to introduce new ways of reducing
their carbon footprint. Here, we look at those businesses that are going above and beyond to ensure their
emissions are kept as low possible or are offsetting the carbon they
unavoidably emit as part of their daily operations.
Aviation – EasyJet
Airlines are a significant
contributor to carbon emissions globally. In fact, it’s estimated that the
flights we catch account for some 12% of all transport emissions annually.[2]
Yet there are airlines that are making significant efforts to try and reduce
this figure – one of which
is EasyJet. In a recent report, EasyJet
ranked top of the list of airlines trying to cut carbon emissions and tackle
climate change and has since become the first airline to operate net zero
flights across its whole network.[3]
This has been possible through carbon offsetting initiatives which helps to
offset the emissions the airline uses during flights. It’s estimated that the
company will spend around £25million each year carbon offsetting, lowering
their impact on the environment and positioning themselves as market leaders in
reducing CO2.
Automotive – BMW
Regularly named as the world’s
most sustainable car manufacturer, BMW has gained a reputation for its creativity
and innovation in terms of reducing carbon emissions. The company’s long list
of green credentials speaks for itself –
for example, from 2009 to 2019 BMW has
been able to reduce its delivery fleet emissions by over 40%.[1] The
company has also invested heavily in electric technology, turning to more
renewable fuels to reduce carbon emissions even further. As it stands, BMW is currently
on track to ensure that a quarter of all the vehicles it sells will be
electrified by 2021, with a third in 2025 and half of all vehicles by the year
2030.[2]
Fast food restaurants – McDonald’s
As one of the most iconic
restaurants in the world, McDonald’s are firmly under the microscope when it
comes to taking sustainable measures. Luckily, the company is making considerable
efforts to reduce its impact on the environment wherever possible. With around
36,000 restaurants located in over 100 countries worldwide[3],
McDonald’s has now began switching to energy efficient appliances to help cut
energy waste by around 25%.[4]
It also aims to source all its packaging from recycled materials by 2025.[5]
Manufacturing – Siemens
Manufacturing often requires energy intensive processes that create high levels of carbon emissions. However, this didn’t stop electronics manufacturer, Siemens, from becoming the first global company to commit to carbon neutrality by 2030 through using renewable energy at its factories.[6] It’s also set out sustainability goals within its ‘Serve the Environment’ programme which details how it intends to create zero waste. As it stands, zero per cent of its waste has been sent to landfill from its factory in Newcastle and the business currently boasts a 92% recycle rate overall. [7]
Software – Google
With a reputation for creating
innovative software, it comes as no surprise that Google is one of the IT
giants leading the way in terms of sustainability. As well as reducing its
carbon footprint through company-wide efficiency improvements, Google also uses
on-site solar power as a renewable fuel supply. [1]The
company then uses carbon offsetting to bring its remaining footprint to zero
and goes to great lengths to ensure that the projects it supports help provide
long-term global benefits.[2]
Off-grid energy –
Flogas
As one of
UK’s leading off-grid energy suppliers who help companies
offset carbon emissions, Flogas has quickly become a market leader
in the fight against climate change. In its ‘2040 Vision’ manifesto, the
company has laid out plans on how it intends to the support the government’s
carbon emissions targets by supplying its customers with 100% renewable energy solutions by
2040. As well as aiding its customers, the company has also undertaken several
landmark steps in its own carbon reduction strategy such as promising to offset
all Level 1 and Level 2 CO2 emissions for 2019 and became one of the first
0ff-grid gas suppliers to add BioLNG powered delivery vehicles to its fleet.
Since then, Flogas has also launched its Carbon Offsetting Initiative for both
its commercial and consumer customers.
References
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47460958
[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47460958
[4] https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/responsibility/sustainability-at-the-bmw-group.html
[5] https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/responsibility/sustainability-at-the-bmw-group.html
[10] https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/sustainability/resourceconservation.html
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