A carbon footprint is produced by human activity on the planet. It has an environmental effect through emissions of gases that accumulate in the atmosphere and cause global warming.
In this post we will further explain carbon footprints. We will also offer tips on how to reduce CO2 emissions in your coworking space. We will also see what technology can do to make this task easier for you.
What is a carbon footprint and how is it measured?
A carbon footprintis a trace of gases that are released as a result of our daily activities. It corresponds to the volume of greenhouse gases, known by their acronym GHG.
Greenhouse gases are released through chemical reactions during seemingly insignificant activities: when we switch on our computer, print documents, or recharge our electronic devices.
The corporate carbon footprint must be analyzed and reduced to contribute to a sustainable world.
One of the biggest contributors to the carbon footprint is vehicles that consume fossil fuels. The environmental impact of both cars and industries is measured using carbon emissions, i.e. the mass of CO2 released.
The carbon footprint is a contributor to climate change, which has led to the extinction of species as well as unprecedented environmental phenomena. For this reason, various organizations such as ISO have created standards to monitor one's carbon footprint.
Many companies, acting on their values, are taking action to control their carbon footprint. They are moving towards more sustainable practices that aim to meet today's needs without negatively affecting future generations.
Tips for reducing your organization's carbon footprint
To reduce their carbon footprint, companies set up various programs aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in daily work and making employees aware of their consumption. Some tips for this are as follows:
1. Sustainable mobility to reduce the carbon footprint
Motor vehicles are among the main contributors to an organization's carbon footprint. Promoting sustainable mobility thus involves the use of bicycles and electric cars that help reduce emissions.
Carpooling saves money on fuel and reduces CO2 emissions as people travel together.
You can also promote carpooling, in which several people travel in one car to the same destination. This, of course, means less fuel consumption and thus reduces the carbon footprint.
2. Invest in innovation
Another way to reduce an organization's carbon footprint is to invest in innovation, either by looking to recycle materials in the production process or by considering environmental impacts when acquiring new equipment.
New-generation devices consume less electricity and emit fewer greenhouse gases. Thus, though they involve a higher initial outlay, they offer long-term savings and create a better world.
3. Raise employee awareness of the carbon footprint
It is not only companies that produce a carbon footprint, but also individuals as we go about our daily lives. Raising awareness among employees is thus an essential task.
One initiative is to intall low-consumption multifunctional power outlets for common use. Even with these, though, indiscriminate use will produce little change. Employees should be informed about GHGs and their responsibility to reduce them.
4. Recycling and the green office
Finally, recycling is fundamental for reducing GHGs. This is because recycled materials reduce the use of resources such as wood and water. This minimizes waste and protects the environment.
There are also "green offices." These are facilities that make use of clean energies such as solar, wind, or geodesic. They also offer low-consumption equipment and other strategies to minimize their carbon footprint.
Software and technology for a more sustainable world
Today we have software and other technologies to help reduce the carbon footprint. In particular, there are tools that measure CO2 emissions and allow companies to know how well they perform in this area.
Software and technology that support a more sustainable world help make us more aware of our carbon footprint.
Applications that help manage coworking and carpooling also contribute to sustainability. These practices reduce energy and fuel consumption.
Facility control software that manages temperature and lighting, together with clean energy technologies, helps curb fuel consumption. Many of these tools can be managed from multiple devices.
Conclusions
In short, reducing the corporate carbon footprint is everyone's responsibility. However, those who manage facilities can take more meaningful action since they make many decisions that can affect the carbon footprint.
Finding ways to promote environmentally friendly practices helps in this commitment. Actions such as using sustainable mobility, incorporating innovation, raising employee awareness, and creating green offices are ways to contribute.
At Parso we are committed to caring for the environment, because reducing our carbon footprint is everyone's job. Visit our website and check out the tools we offer for this purpose.
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