Becoming a carbon neutral business

Becoming carbon neutral can bring big business benefits that stretch far beyond improving your environmental credentials.

But how do you do it? Here’s a quick guide:

1. Understand where you are now - Measurement

To lower your carbon footprint, first you need to know what it is. Any calculation needs to use a recognised methodology set out in PAS 2060:2014, so potential clients can compare your data with others.

2. Take action - Reduction

Create a “carbon management plan” and make a public commitment to carbon neutrality. From simple steps like switching to low energy light bulbs and raising staff awareness, to larger projects like installing solar panels or biomass boilers, put the carbon reduction opportunities identified into practice. With MaCaW, you could get up to £15,000 of grant matched funding to help.

3. Offset carbon - Offsetting

Every business can lower its carbon emissions, but once you’ve done that you’ll still be producing some level of residual carbon. Offsetting - that is, investing in environmental projects that balance out the carbon you produce - is how you do that.

4. Document and Validate - Verifying

Publish your Qualifying Explanatory Statement (QES) and supporting documents. Validate your carbon neutrality and then declare your achievement.

Make becoming carbon neutral easier and more rewarding. Do it with MaCaW.

MaCaW, the University of Central Lancashire’s Making Carbon Work project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and supported by Boost, Lancashire’s business growth hub.

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