Carbon Accounting: What You Need to Know

Carbon accounting is a way of measuring how much greenhouse gas your business produces. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. By doing carbon accounting, you can help reduce your environmental impact and improve your reputation with customers and suppliers.

How to measure your carbon emissions

Your carbon emissions come from three sources:

• Direct emissions: These are the emissions from the activities you control, such as driving your vehicles or heating your buildings. For example, if you run a delivery service, your direct emissions would include the fuel burned by your trucks or vans.
• Indirect emissions: These are the emissions from the energy you buy, such as electricity or gas. For example, if you run an office, your indirect emissions would include the power used by your computers or lights.
• Scope 3 emissions: These are the emissions from the other businesses you work with, such as your suppliers or contractors. For example, if you run a clothing store, your scope 3 emissions would include the materials and transport used by the factories that make your clothes.

To measure your carbon emissions, you need to collect data on the amount and type of energy you use, as well as the activities and products of the businesses you work with. You can use online tools or calculators to convert this data into carbon equivalents, which are a common unit of measurement for greenhouse gases.

Why carbon accounting matters

Carbon accounting can benefit your business in two ways:

• It’s good for the planet: By measuring your emissions, you can find ways to reduce them and lower your environmental impact. For example, you can switch to renewable energy sources, improve your energy efficiency, or use less packaging. Reducing your emissions can also help you save money on energy bills and avoid potential carbon taxes or penalties in the future.
• It’s good for your business: By reporting your emissions, you can show your commitment to sustainability and gain an edge over your competitors. This is especially important if you want to work with big businesses or government departments, who may require you to do carbon accounting as part of their procurement rules. For example, if you want to bid for a contract with a government agency, you may need to provide information on your carbon footprint and how you plan to reduce it. Doing carbon accounting can also help you attract more customers who care about the environment and are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products or services.

How to get started

If you want to do carbon accounting for your business, we can help you. Contact us today and we will help you calculate your current emissions and set up a system to track them regularly. We will also help you find ways to reduce your emissions and save money. We have experience in working with small businesses like yours and we know how to make carbon accounting easy and affordable for you. Don’t wait until it becomes mandatory - start doing carbon accounting today and enjoy the benefits of being a green business.