(Carbon Footprint – 5 Min read)
Written by: Bash Sarmiento
Businesses often look forward to innovating and probing new ventures to increase profit margins. However, these developments always lead to mass production of goods which contributes highly to carbon emissions and waste of the world. With the ever-growing demands of the market nowadays, our environment is at stake.
We fell through the patterns of overproduction and consumerism. These habits are significantly harmful to the environment. More than that, they also contribute to the climate crisis we currently face. So, if there is a perfect time to reassess your business priorities and align them with environmental betterment—there is no other time more than now.
Don’t worry because hitting net-zero at the corporate level does not have to be costly. There are many ways to achieve your financial goals with minimal impact on the environment. It can even be an improvement to the current cash flow of your business!
Curious? Here is a list of reasons why reducing carbon footprint will do good for your company!
With carbon footprint cutting, you cut on shipping costs.
Part of being environmentally conscious of your business operations is recognizing that multiple shipping within a week means higher carbon emissions. Usually, businesses ship orders as they come.
However, it would cost you less if you designate a shipment cut-off. You can go from every other day to once or twice a month. Maximize the capacity of your courier choice over deliveries in small numbers. Doing so would save you from the trouble and stress you encounter in arranging deliveries every week.
There are also greener shipping options available that can transport your orders in a more eco-friendly way. Most importantly, refrain from shipping by air as much as possible. It is costly and more detrimental to the environment because of its lower fuel efficiency.
Renewable energy and green appliances cuts cost and your carbon footprint.
A one-time installation of solar panels can save you thousands of dollars in the future in terms of electricity. Since it is solar-powered, you can minimize energy waste in your workplace. Solar panels are also an effective alternative to a generator. So, in case of an emergency, you don’t have to purchase one that depletes our ozone even more.
Moreover, technology has brought us a reformed view on our appliances usage. As such, it highlights that investing in green appliances in your workspaces has a lot of benefits. Not only are they cleaner and a friendlier alternative for the environment, but they are also at par with the ones we currently have in the market. They even have smart features as well!
You can attract more customers through green advocacy.
Consumers also develop new purchasing behaviors and patterns that marketers should keep track of as trends evolve day by day. With this, more people are starting to care about the current issues of our society—like our depleting ozone layer and the melting ice caps in the Arctic.
So, if you are a business that practices the three Rs—reduce, reuse, and recycle, then you can bunk on this to boost your sales. Even simple initiatives like using biodegradable packaging or reusing (sanitized) bubble wraps and paper stuffing can attract socially responsible citizens to buy your product.
One important note here is to stay true to the advocacy of your business—not just for the sales but also for the environment.
You encourage yourself to innovate more.
If there is something that nature has taught us well, it is the fact that we can do more even with what little we have. As a business owner, it is vital to seek new sources of income that are worth the investment. One that doesn’t break the bank and the atmosphere. Thus, this is the core of upcycling and recycling. You can rework items based on your designs and sell them for profit.
Moreover, you can also support town markets or source directly from local farmers if you are handling perishable goods in your line of work. It reduces the carbon footprint of your business by removing the middle dealer. With this, you are also helping small farmers to survive and get a fair price for their crops.
Increasing your income flow through ingenious and creative means feels more satisfying than a mass-produced one. It adds a more personal touch to the items you sell—an organic approach that can generate higher support from your target market.
Bottom line: Businesses—big or small—play an essential role in reducing carbon footprint.
There are a lot of greener choices that you can apply to your business in terms of production, acquisition, and even shipping. All you have to do is adequately plan the transition from your inventory to your marketing strategy and fully embody what it means to reduce your carbon footprint.
It is rare to see companies that apply actionable decisions about their carbon footprint and emissions. Others even treat environmental initiatives as just another CSR project. However, our planet is on the line. We are currently on the verge of a drastic escalation in terms of climate change.
It is why businesses—big or small—have to go hand-in-hand to support mother nature. Because if we do not start now, we might not have a planet to see years from today.
Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle, and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management, and traveling are translated into his work