10 Stops on the Road to Carbon Management

There’s no denying that managing carbon has become table stakes in today’s business world. Organizations of all shapes and sizes need to manage their carbon footprint -- and they know it. However, what some don’t know is where to begin.

Most companies have a tough time deciding how to start down the road to carbon management. In this evolving industry, there are thousands of moving parts and picking and choosing amongst all the opportunities can be an overwhelming undertaking. Should I focus on renewable solutions or energy efficiency? Do I spend my time starting sustainability initiatives or reporting on them?

Through my work with organizations around the world, I’ve learned that successful carbon management programs most often embrace ten basic guiding principles. Whether you’re a mom & pop shop or a Fortune 500, be sure to hit these 10 stops on your road to carbon management:

1. Know Your Inventory
Determining your carbon inventory is the fundamental first step in any carbon management program. Pin down the parameters of your footprint by answering the following questions: What exactly will your company’s carbon footprint include? Scopes one, two and three? All sources? How far down the supply chain should you go? Engage operational colleagues across facilities to gain a comprehensive understanding of energy use associated with the product or service you provide.

2. Analyze Your Footprint Internally
Squeeze the mileage out of your carbon inventory by sharing it with employees throughout your organization. Raising the proverbial ‘antennas’ of other functional groups will prompt them to consider carbon’s effect on the business. Marketing has a keen interest in incorporating initiatives into messaging. Facility teams use the carbon inventory to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and eliminate waste. There may even be a future cost to carbon, so Finance needs to understand the landscape.

3. Set Reduction Goals
Carbon reduction directly translates to money saved, which makes the TBL triumvirate -- people, planet and profit -- very, very happy. Nearly always, the less carbon you’re emitting, the less energy you’re buying. The less energy you buy, the better you’ve mitigated exposure to volatile energy prices. Get multiple functions on-board to analyze your carbon data and set goals, keeping in mind the corporate budget for implementing projects.

4. Invest in Efficiency Efforts
Never underestimate the “power of people” and behavioral change. More often than not, the most impactful and cost-effective “efficiency projects” simply require improving workplace practices and processes. Most all companies can drastically improve efficiency without investing significant capital or buying the latest gadget. Proactively prioritize your efficiency efforts to focus on areas with high carbon intensity levels, high energy prices and the existence of incentives & rebates to maximize returns.

5. Be Cleaner
From RECs to on-site generation, the market continues to unfold with cost-effective renewable energy solutions. Approach this stop on the carbon management road with a deep knowledge of available opportunities according to industry and location. Paper and waste management companies can generate energy from biomass waste. Businesses in New Jersey can dig into solar REC opportunities. Operations in Ontario can explore feed in tariffs offered by utilities. Regardless of the situation, take into full consideration the complexities of feasibility and cost.