The latest IPCC report on climate change shows it is now code red for humanity, but what can businesses do? Jump discusses how you can move to a sustainable business model and go net zero.
The IPCC Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released a new report that found a global increase of over 1.5° of warming will occur within the next 10-20 years. They are calling this “code red for humanity”. This will set off a chain of events that includes extreme weather events, limited water availability, and mass animal extinctions. It’s not surprising if these findings leave you feeling despair and helplessness. However, at Jump, we know that we can come together to create a net zero future. The report focuses on policymakers, however, the rest of us can’t wait around for our slow-moving leaders to make changes. Businesses can move to a sustainable business model faster and get on the path to net zero with fewer obstacles. See below for our top tips on how to do this:
Switch to green suppliers
A fundamental way your business can tackle its operational carbon footprint is through switching to a green energy supplier; click here to see some UK options. Secondly, you should switch to local, sustainable suppliers for things like packaging, office supplies, and products. Where possible, try to cut unnecessary and single-use items in your office supplies and packaging, for example, consider going paper free in your office. Why not go one step further and buy office furniture second hand. This would save your business money and prevent the emissions from producing new products.
Join an initiative
Joining a sustainable business initiative can give you access to guidance, community, and partners you need to go net zero. Some examples include SME climate hub, The Climate Pledge, Natural Climate Solutions Alliance, BSR BASCS, The Leaf Coalition, 1t.org, and Business Ambition for 1.5°.
Encourage employee behaviour change
Engaging employees in making sustainable changes is invariably one of the most important ways to get your business to Net Zero. Encouraging employees to switch off electronics and reduce their waste will benefit your business financially and environmentally. Although, engaging employees is often easier said than done. To maximise the impact of your sustainability initiatives and track their metrics, consider using a sustainability employee engagement platform. Examples include a fully customisable Jump programme or the more budget friendly Net Zero Challenge.
Engage in corporate social responsibility activities
Another way your business can commit to sustainability is by engaging in corporate social responsibility activities. Try dedicating one day a financial quarter to a company wide volunteering day. Activities could include litter picking or planting trees with a conservation charity. These activities are fun and make a nice change of scenery from the office, which can boost staff morale and satisfaction. Other options include donating a percentage of your organisation’s annual profits to a green cause or becoming a B Corp.
Be experimental
If you had asked most businesses before March 2020, they would have never believed WFH could have worked as well as it has. Sure, it has its downsides, but it’s got some serious environmental benefits. This makes you wonder, what else can we do to shake up the way we work and benefit the planet? Well, look no further than the four-day work week. A 2021 study found that moving to a four-day week by 2025 would decrease the UK’s emissions by 127m tonnes. That is a reduction of more than 20%. Microsoft made the change and stated that employee productivity increased by 40%, which more than made up for the 20% drop in attendance (source). Aside from increased productivity, benefits include boosted staff wellbeing which would reduce sickness days and turnover, which saves your business money.
How to pitch your sustainable business model to your boss
Put simply by the We Mean Business Coalition, “business cannot succeed in a society that fails”. Moving to a sustainable business model is now essential for business continuity. Businesses need to adapt now or struggle to catch up later, this is something to stress when pitching sustainable initiatives. But how will this affect the bottom line? That’s undoubtedly what your higher-ups will want to know.
Moving to a sustainable business model will reduce costs for your organisation. An example of this is DuPont’s 2000 commitment to 65% energy reductions throughout their business. By 2007 they were saving $2.2bn annually through energy efficiency – the same amount as their profits for that year (source). Further benefits include financial incentives from the government (see here for more details), a healthier workplace, improved staff morale, improved efficiency, positive brand image and reputation. These are factors to emphasise in your pitch, as they all either save your business money or make it more – which shows going green is an investment that cannot be ignored.
