As consumer sentiments continue to increasingly incorporate environmental sustainability, it’s becoming more important for businesses to step up and reduce their carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) your business is responsible for. It’s usually measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Why does this matter? Reducing your carbon footprint can save your business money, improve efficiency and make your brand more attractive to customers who care about sustainability. Plus it shows your commitment to doing your part in creating a healthier planet for future generations.
Here are some simple and effective ways your franchise can go greener and make a positive impact.
Set Carbon Reduction Targets
Reaching net-zero emissions might sound like a big challenge, but you can start with small changes. One effective step could be investing in commercial solar panel systems, which help reduce your energy costs while contributing to cleaner energy use. Installing solar solutions for your offices or manufacturing facilities can also act as a big green tick for eco-conscious consumers, who are looking for products that have been made using renewable energy sources.
Alongside using renewable energy, franchise owners can reduce their carbon emissions by also eliminating waste production. Measures like resource optimisation projects can easily cut carbon emissions down significantly, with total emissions saved being calculable based on the weight of materials saved from being tossed in landfill.
This thought process for calculating emissions saved raises an interesting question: how can SMEs sustainably and accurately measure their own carbon emissions over the long term?
The first thing you’ll want to do is set clear and measurable carbon reduction targets. Think of it as mapping out a journey: you wouldn’t just hop into the car and drive without a destination, right? The same goes for cutting down emissions.
Once you’ve got that information, break your big goal into smaller and more manageable targets. Start by gathering data on your current emissions. This helps you understand where your business is having the biggest impact and where there’s room for improvement.
Setting these micro-goals can help larger targets feel more accessible, but they also provide another benefit: they help your enterprise develop carbon monitoring processes that are consistent and thus, reliable. These micro-goals can also easily be shared across a wider franchise business, ensuring all franchisees know what’s expected of them when it comes to hitting emissions targets.
Monitor and Reduce Energy Usage
One of the easiest ways to curb your carbon emissions is to simply turn off the lights or stop running the AC all through summer. Yes, reducing your energy usage using small, everyday decision-making can provide a surprising impact.
But being too restrictive when it comes to energy usage with your staff may also affect your workplace satisfaction rates. So how can you keep your energy saving measures as intuitive as possible?
Start by upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and equipment, which are designed to be more energy-efficient. You can also install programmable thermostats to better control heating and cooling, making sure energy isn’t being wasted when your office is empty.
Another great option is investing in commercial-grade solar batteries. These allow your franchise business to store excess solar energy for later use, helping you reduce reliance on grid power and lower your energy costs.
To further optimise your energy use make the most of natural light by using lighter-coloured walls and placing desks near windows. This can cut down on your need for artificial lighting during the day.
And lastly, consider online energy tracking tools to track your energy usage and pinpoint areas where you can save. These tools help you make smarter, more data-driven decisions.
Regulate Business Travel
Once you understand where most emissions are coming from you can create a green travel program for your business. Setting clear goals for reducing emissions and encouraging employees to follow sustainable travel practices.
For example, opting for economy class flights for company trips can significantly lower emissions, as first-class and business-class seats produce up to four times more carbon. Choosing low-emission airlines and avoiding layovers when possible can further help your carbon impact.
You can also make decisions like selecting eco-friendly accommodations and using sustainable transportation (trains or electric vehicles) are great steps towards greener travel. You can also explore incentives like green travel tax breaks for more benefits.
Allowing employees to work remotely wherever possible can also greatly decrease transportation emissions since it eliminates the need for commuting. Switching from fully in-office to remote or even hybrid work models can also help curb your office energy consumption even further, as your energy usage will go down to virtually zero on WFH days. So if you happen to maintain customer service support teams who work in a head office, consider moving them to a remote work model using internet telco technology. The work will still get done and you can save big on office space, further supporting your saving on electricity as well as transport emissions.
Use Sustainable Suppliers
Suppliers are at the heart of your sustainability journey, and this rings especially true for franchises who typically work with one supplier across multiple storefronts. Setting clear sustainability standards together and agreeing on how to track progress creates a foundation for lasting impact. The key is making sure they understand their role and feel supported every step of the way.
Some suppliers may already have strong sustainability commitments, while others might need guidance. The most effective approach isn’t just choosing the right suppliers, it’s helping them grow with you.
Selecting suppliers with sustainability in mind means looking beyond cost and quality. You’re collaborating with businesses that follow ethical labor practices, manage resources efficiently and uphold industry standards.
Asking the right questions upfront helps identify partners who are ready to contribute to a more sustainable future. Open communication, clear expectations and regular progress checks make all the difference.
Offset Your Carbon Emissions
Offsetting emissions with carbon credits is a practical and cost-effective way to balance your company’s environmental impact. These credits fund projects that actively reduce or remove greenhouse gases, such as reforestation, renewable energy and methane capture initiatives.
By purchasing verified credits from reputable programs, businesses can compensate for unavoidable emissions while supporting global sustainability efforts. We have to point out carbon offsets should be a last step, not a first. Prioritising direct reductions like improving energy efficiency, switching to clean energy and minimising waste is the way to create a greater impact.
Implement an EMS for Your Business
Unlike one-off green initiatives, an EMS (Environmental Management System) creates a framework for tracking environmental impact, setting goals and continuously improving performance.
By integrating sustainability into daily operations, businesses can streamline compliance, reduce waste and operate more efficiently. Pairing your EMS with a complimenting quality management system ensures that sustainability efforts align with broader business objectives, improving both environmental and operational outcomes.
Whether it’s optimising resource use or meeting regulatory requirements, an EMS helps businesses take meaningful action while strengthening their reputation as responsible industry leaders.
Eliminate Operational Waste
The key is to adopt a simple but effective strategy: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. People should reduce their waste by not using single-use plastics, minimising excessive packaging and avoiding purchase of unnecessary items. Choose digital invoice options rather than printed documents.
Work towards eliminating waste before it is generated. It may involve choosing long-lasting products, streamlining inventory management to avoid excess orders or configuring printers to double-sided printing to minimise paper waste.
Office supplies should be reused whenever possible because binders, folders and packaging materials can serve multiple purposes before they need to be thrown away. Even furniture and technology can be given a second life through refurbishment or donation.
Businesses can shred old office paper to create packing material and transform worn-out uniforms into cleaning cloths. Different companies join forces with nearby artists or upcycling programs to turn waste materials into practical or ornamental items.
Position recycling bins in accessible areas and ensure they have clear labels. Work with established recycling companies to maintain effective sorting and processing of materials.
And if you’re in the organic waste business you should look into composting food scraps and biodegradable substances to decrease their contribution to landfills.
Conserve Water
Water conservation is another unsuspecting but huge contributor to your energy consumption. The energy used to heat, pump and treat water makes a significant impact on your overall energy use.
Simple steps like fixing leaks, installing water-efficient appliances and optimising irrigation can help lower both water and energy consumption, leading to savings and greater efficiency for your business.
Encourage Employees to Participate in Green Initiatives
When your team is on board, they’re more likely to get creative and find new ways to be more eco-friendly. Offering training on sustainable practices is a great starting point. It helps employees understand the bigger picture and empowers them to take action.
Encouraging green initiatives within the workplace can make sustainability feel like a team effort. Whether it’s setting up a recycling program, starting an energy-saving challenge or even organising a staff garden project, there are plenty of ways to get everyone involved.
Plus don’t forget to celebrate those efforts. Rewarding employees for their contribution to reducing emissions can keep the momentum going and show how much you appreciate their commitment to the environment.
Take the Next Step Towards a Greener Future for your Enterprise
More businesses, communities and individuals around the world are stepping up to reduce their environmental impact and every action counts. As a small business, you have the power to be part of this wave of change.
The beauty of this movement is that it’s built on collective action. While one business alone may not change the world overnight, when many businesses come together, they can create a ripple effect that reaches across borders.
Your efforts are part of a growing global commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. And by aligning your business with this movement, you’re not only improving your bottom line, but you’re also helping lead the way for a future that prioritises the well-being of our planet and future generations.
So take the next step, no matter how small it may seem and you’ll be helping create a better, greener future for everyone!