Australians have an average annual carbon footprint three times greater than the global average 1. With increasing concern surrounding the global climate emergency, customers are looking to make better choices and do business with companies that have transparent sustainability plans. Not only will focusing on sustainability earn brownie points with your customers, but you’ll also be doing your bit towards tackling the imminent climate emergency.
All businesses have a measure of climate impact and social responsibility, what does this mean? It means that every business in some way impacts the environment either intentionally or unintentionally. Social responsibility acknowledges this and seeks to:
- Understand the impact a business has – also known as a ‘carbon footprint’;
- Minimise the impact – by looking a reducing its carbon footprint;
- Offset unavoidable impact – by offsetting unavoidable emissions into certified climate projects; and
- Share the journey – by telling customers your story and inspiring others to do the same.
If you are seeking to become carbon neutral, you should seek to first reduce your emissions before using carbon offsets and should only use offsets sparingly. Remember that purchasing carbon offsets is a business expense, whereas reducing emissions can be a cost saving.
So, what is ‘carbon offsetting’? It refers to the process of compensating for carbon dioxide emissions arising from human activity, through participating in registered programs aimed at making equivalent reductions. Given the global nature of the climate crisis, carbon offsetting does not have to be local, with reduction programs offered worldwide.
Sound like something you’d be interested in? Sole has chosen to partner with Carbonhalo – they help businesses take climate action with the 4 steps mentioned above.
Who is Carbonhalo?
Carbonhalo empowers climate action! We get it, Carbon is complex, that’s why Carbonhalo have created a transparent new platform that helps businesses and people take simple and affordable climate action.
As a Sole customer you can access Carbonhalo’s free tools to measure your businesses carbon footprint, get free advice on how to reduce your emissions and can even get help setting up an automatic offset program for those unavoidable emissions.
Some of the certified climate projects funded by Carbonhalo include waste diversion, fire management, preventing deforestation and the regeneration of native forests – all verified by Australian and International authorities (e.g. Australian Clean Energy Regulator).
Every business that Carbonhalo helps also gets marketing support to share their sustainable journey towards becoming carbon neutral.
How does Carbon Offsetting actually work?
Measurement is the first step in determining the carbon footprint of your company. A carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of your organisation’s activities. Inputting a few key pieces of information into Carbonhalo’s carbon footprint calculator will provide you with a typical carbon footprint for your organisation, per annum. You can access the carbon footprint calculator here.
The next step is simple, you can book some time with a carbon specialist for FREE where they can help you look at reducing your emissions, or you can choose from one of Carbonhalo’s plans to offset through involvement with verified, globally accessible and transparent programs.
What are the benefits?
Beyond tackling the climate crisis head-on, earning the label of ‘carbon neutral’ can have many benefits for your business. Demonstrating your credentials can be used as a marketing tool, broadening your customer base who are increasingly looking to engage in more sustainable consumerism. Other stakeholders, such as investors and employees, are also more likely to be drawn to a business that is taking climate action, given the increasing relevance of sustainability in the global market.
With experts predicting that we need to cut 50% of global CO2 emissions by 2030 to fight climate change, now is the time to get involved! And thanks to Carbonhalo, it couldn’t be easier.
Interested in finding out more? Visit Carbonhalo’s website!