It’s high time for businesses to take climate change seriously. This is due to the damage businesses are doing to the environment and because they can be penalized for non-compliance if they do not reduce their carbon footprint. So when it comes to net-zero carbon emissions and their strategies, some misconceptions and myths surround net-zero carbon emissions that you should know about.
1) Current buildings make it impossible to achieve net-zero.
Even though the age and condition of buildings, their construction type, type of occupants, and owners’ budget do affect the retrofitting of existing buildings to achieve net-zero, it does not make it impossible. Improvements can be implemented over time and reduce gas and electricity for business usage by updating insulation, glazing, and HVAC systems can help in improving energy efficiency.
Other savings can be made through smart technologies such as automated lighting systems, occupancy sensors, efficient LED lights, and updated and efficient office equipment and appliances. All these steps can help you achieve your net-zero goals.
2) Net-zero carbon plans are only for corporate social responsibility
Previously companies considered net zero initiatives and strategies as an act of only corporate social responsibility. However, with increasing awareness in public and the pressures from the government, investors to work ethically while considering the environment have changed this view. Businesses need to achieve net-zero to become credible, attract customers, support growth, build supply chain resilience, and gain the support of shareholders.
3) Being on renewable energy tariff means being net-zero
Taking renewable energy tariffs is a good step toward creating a more carbon-neutral business; it does not mean the same as being net zero. There are energy providers that market renewable energy tariffs, which do not fully lend to the funding of more renewable energy.
Due to this uncertainty, a net-zero carbon building does not consider renewable energy tariff as net-zero. But this also does not mean that you should not engage in renewable energy tariffs. It’s the first step, but you also need to find energy providers contributing to renewable energy generation.
4) There’s only the need to lower carbon footprint and not emissions
Every one of us has a carbon footprint and contributes to CO2 and other gases that negatively impact the environment. Reducing emissions is an important part of lowering carbon footprint. Businesses need to implement strategies that cut down on emissions and have solutions for taking care of unavoidable emissions, such as absorbing them instead of letting them out into the atmosphere.
In conclusion
So achieving net-zero carbon emission is beneficial for the success of your businesses. So you need to implement carbon-neutral energy strategies to cut down emissions and reduce your carbon footprint. You can start this process by conducting an energy audit. If you do not have the resources to do so, you can contact professionals who can conduct the audit, identify problems and give solutions to allow you to save money and improve your bottom line.
