Whether it's ensuring your business is equipped to deal with change, or enhancing its reputation with clients and consumers alike, making your organisation more sustainable carries a host of environmental and economic benefits, in both the long and short term.
Cheltenham Zero — a Cheltenham Borough Council-led collaboration scheme, open to organisations of all sizes — aims to help businesses discover and achieve those benefits, building a pathway to net zero through the sharing of resources, expertise and advice.
SoGlos look at seven reasons why Cheltenham businesses large and small should be aiming for net zero by signing up to the scheme, from cutting costs through making sustainable choices, to gaining an advantage when attracting new trade and talent.
Future proof your business
With identifying and reporting your carbon emissions likely to become a requirement for businesses in the future, getting ahead of the curve now will ensure your business is ready for change.
While standards and regulations do not require all
businesses to report their emissions currently, it is expected to be mandatory in the coming years — if not through standards and policy, then likely through the
tender process and customer generation.
Reduce your business costs
The most effective way to reduce emissions is by reducing the amount of energy you use, which will ultimately save you money.
Operational measures like switching of lights and hardware when not in use will bring down your electricity bills; optimising supply routes, ensuring vehicles are at full capacity to reduce journeys and driving efficiently will save money on fuel; and ensuring offices and business premises are kept at an appropriate temperature on a timer system will cut heating costs.
Build your brand reputation
Taking steps to make your business as sustainable as possible will help to build your brand identity in general.
Besides the required standards and regulations, creating a comprehensive net zero strategy and making changes across your organisation will make you instantly recognisable as a company who is ‘doing it right’ and ‘doing it well’.
Attract and retain customers
With sustainability an increasingly important factor for businesses and consumers alike, striving for net zero will likely increase your business' ability to gain and retain customers.
Many businesses are specifying that suppliers do the best they can to mitigate their environmental impact, with sustainability becoming a significant factor in the tendering process; while a growing number of consumers are choosing sustainable products and services over those from companies who do not have net zero on their agenda.
Become an industry leader
Carving out a path to net zero could also help your business stand out as an exemplar to others in your industry.
Exploring how best to achieve sustainability could help define net zero in your sector, enhancing the reputation of your business amongst your competitors.
Find and keep the best talent
Taking your responsibility to the environment seriously is key factor in attracting and retaining employees, too.
Finding and keeping great talent is one of the biggest challenges businesses face; and with around 65 per cent of the workforce saying that working for a 'responsible' company is more important than how much they earn — according to a study by British intranet firm Unily — prioritising sustainability could go some way to keeping hold of your most valued assets.
Mitigate risk
Becoming more sustainable can also help to protect your business from the negative impacts of things like changes to policy; environmental factors including resource depletion; and changing customer behaviour and requirements.
With sustainability built on the precept that it advantages the environment, society and economics, ensuring that all business decisions are made with these three factors in mind should help you avoid risk in the future.
To find out more about Cheltenham Zero and to sign up for the scheme, visit cheltenhamzero.org.
