What your business or organisation can do
“94 per cent of small businesses in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse say they want to take action or already are taking action to tackle carbon emissions. While 70 per cent said they were likely or very likely to be doing more to reduce their carbon emissions over the next 2 years.”*
*Taken from the report – Understanding the Net Zero Challenge for SMEs in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse
Guide to creating a sustainability plan – including reducing carbon emissions
Every organisation (business, parish council, charity, community group) – no matter how big or small – can take action to reduce their carbon footprint, lower costs, and protect themselves and the people who use their services from climate change.
There are brilliant examples from across the district where organisations have already shown how the benefits making positive changes that have benefited all aspects of their work. If you’re at the start of your climate ‘journey’ or are ready to take the next step, this helpful guide will give you the inspiration you need.
Step 1 – Calculate your current carbon footprint
Understanding this will help you work out where you can make savings. Try the free carbon calculator for small businesses or the SME Climate Hub business carbon calculator. Once you know your carbon footprint, you can aim to reduce it using a sustainability action plan.
Step 2 – What to include in your sustainability action plan
Promote sustainable transport – make it easy for staff and customers – cycle racks, charging for e-bikes and EVs and shared transport options. You could introduce to a cycle to work scheme. Reduce the need to travel by choosing online meetings. See WWF travel policy example.
Rethink your waste – generate less waste by reducing packaging, reusing items, using pre-owned, repairing where possible. Aim to send zero waste to landfill and give up single use products.
Choose sustainable suppliers –help increase demand for more sustainable, ethical products and support local businesses. The SME climate hub has a supplier action guide.
Create a ‘greener’ office by choosing a green energy supplier or making your online activities more energy efficient. See 20 tips to make your workplace more sustainable
Reduce energy use – assess the energy efficiency of your workplace or community building to see if energy costs and carbon emissions can be reduced further. Energy Solutions Oxfordshire offers advice and guidance whatever type of organisation you are, including a free energy efficiency checklist to help get started.
Adapt your services to extreme weather – now is the time to make sure your organisation is prepared for climate change – flooding, heatwaves, severe storms and water shortages. Review how this is will affect your operations, staff, and the people who rely on your services. OxLEP’s Climate Hub has links to some useful resources for the Oxfordshire area. Sport England offers further guidance specific to the sector.
Nature recovery – do you have any green spaces where you can plant trees, insect friendly plants or install bird boxes? Could you support nature recovery projects in your local community?
Step 3 – Bring everyone with you
Make sure everyone in your organisation understands and can input to the sustainability action plan. Everyone will have useful input and experiences. Take advantage of any Climate Literacy Training offered by places such as Green Arts Oxfordshire, OxLEP, and Abingdon and Witney College to increase knowledge within your organisation.
See our webpage on funding available for climate-friendly community projects and there are other climate-related opportunities for businesses in the Vale.
Support from the Council
Our Economic Development team provides businesses across the district with free and impartial support, advice and up-to-date business information. Further information on how the council can support your business to be more sustainable can be found on the Economic Development section of this website.
Contact us - Climate and biodiversity team
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
