Is Your Business Ready for a Carbon-Neutral Future?

January 20, 2022 by Admin

With the UK looking to meet a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, we all need to think about our impact on the planet.

This is particularly true for business leaders, many of whom are now exploring ways to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably. To do this, many businesses are now striving to go carbon neutral themselves, aiming for net-zero emissions via carbon offset, renewable energies and improving efficiency.

If your business is looking to do its bit for the environment, working towards a net-zero target is something you should definitely consider.

 

What Is Net-Zero?

We’re currently releasing large amounts of emissions into the atmosphere, which is resulting in an annual net gain of greenhouse gases and increasing global temperatures. Net-zero aims to put a stop to this and restore the balance to the planet, ensuring the emissions we release are taken back in by our carbon sinks (e.g. forests and peat bogs). This means that no extra greenhouse gases will be added to the earth’s atmosphere, helping us to stop global temperatures from increasing beyond that dangerous 1.5-degree threshold.

 

How Can My Business Move Towards Net-Zero Emissions?

If we’re serious about achieving our net-zero goal by 2050, then we all need to do our bit to slash emissions. Here are 5 ways your business can help.

1.Move to Renewable Energy

If you’re looking to achieve a net-zero target, you should definitely consider powering your business with renewable energy such as solar, wind or hydro. Unlike fossil fuels, these energy sources do not release carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases into the environment, allowing your business to run on greener, cleaner energy.

2.Reduce Energy Consumption

No matter if you use fossil fuels or renewable energies, reducing your overall energy consumption is better for both the environment and your wallet. Whether you’re running a factory or office, there’ll always be areas where you can optimise energy usage or reduce wasteful practices, resulting in fewer emissions for the planet and financial savings for your business.

3.Embrace EVs

Transportation is currently one of the UK’s biggest polluters; petrol and diesel combustion releases all sorts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Moving away from fossil fuels and embracing electric vehicles will help your business to dramatically cut its emissions- especially if they’re powered by green energy.

4.Strengthen your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

If your business is looking to make a positive impact on the planet, why not add your net-zero target to your CSR strategy. This will ensure your environmental commitment is enshrined in your company policy, where employees, stakeholders and business leaders can hold you accountable for your progress.

5.Improve Energy Efficiency

Whether you own or rent your business building, you should be aware of its current energy rating thanks to your Energy Performance Certificate. Taking steps to improve your property’s efficiency rating e.g., with insulation or double glazing, can help to reduce energy wastage and conserve our precious energy resources.

 

Measuring Energy Efficiency With an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

In the UK, every building must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when it’s built, sold or rented.  This rates every building on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), allowing both owners and tenants to know the property’s energy use, as well as the typical energy costs. The assessment also makes suggestions about how to reduce energy and save money, as well as how to raise your overall efficiency rating. Businesses can be fined between £500 and £5000 (based on the value of the building) if an EPC is not available to a buyer or tenant.

 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Explained

We all know that saving energy makes sense; it’s better for the environment and our wallet. Yet across the UK, many buildings simply aren’t energy efficient enough, guzzling energy and eating up money for bill payers. Indeed, it’s estimated that 1 in 10 London offices would fail to meet the new energy requirements set to come into force in 2023.

That’s where the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations can step in.

Introduced in 2018 to improve the quality of private rented buildings, the MEES aims to increase energy efficiency for the worst performing properties. With the standards now being rolled out across more and more commercial properties, the MEES is causing interesting side effects for office buildings up and down the country.

If property owners are planning to rent out a building, they need to ensure it has an EPC rating of E or above. Those properties with a rating of F or G cannot be rented out in their current condition (unless an exemption is registered); appropriate steps must be taken to try and raise the energy performance rating and make the property compliant with the MEES.

 

How Will The MEES Affect Office Buildings?

Whilst around 20% of London’s offices currently have an energy rating of A or B, over half of workspaces (57%) are currently at the lower end of the efficiency spectrum with a D-G rating.

According to research, 20 million square feet of London’s workspace-around 10% of all offices- is not compliant with the upcoming efficiency rules. This will no doubt have property owners concerned; after all, the pandemic has already made us question the value of dedicated office space in the first place. These buildings will certainly need some extra work to boost their ratings from F or G to that all-important E minimum by 2023, as well as laying the groundwork for possible further requirements by 2035.

Although refurbishing office buildings will no doubt incur additional costs, improving energy efficiency is a futureproofing investment. It not only ensures that property owners can continue to rent out their buildings but also helps tenants to conserve energy, as well as money. Setting a minimum requirement for energy efficiency also supports the UK’s net-zero strategy, minimising unnecessary energy waste up and down the country

 

Is Your Business Looking to Increase Energy Efficiency?

If your business is looking to increase its energy efficiency, get in touch with Tariff.com today. Our team of expert energy consultants know all the tips and tricks of the trade to optimise energy usage and minimise wasteful practices.

If it’s cost savings you’re after, we’ve also got you covered. With our industry experience and insider knowledge, we can also help your business save money on your utility bills, searching the market for the best deals and providing all the support you need to switch supplier.

To start taking control of your energy usage and spending today, simply submit your current energy bills or give us a call. Our friendly team will be more than happy to have a chat about your business’s energy future.