Action report

The metrics that you have provided have been used to generate an estimation of your carbon footprint in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2) annually. Measuring and understanding your carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. The tailored actions recommended below can help you get started.

Please note that you have not included any information regarding your business ( Energy / Travel / Materials / Water ) use. Your business may not have any emissions in this category, but most do. Where you haven’t provided relevant information, this carbon footprint will not give you an accurate estimate of your business’s emissions and your action plan may not recommend some relevant actions to your business.

If you are having difficulty locating the information required there are actions below that can help you get started

Your annual carbon footprint is estimated to be 0 tonnes CO2

The actions provided cover the impact areas of energy, travel, materials and waste as well as some more strategic actions that address your business model. If you choose to share, download or save your report, you will be prompted to register so that you can return to update either your carbon footprint metrics, track the actions you have implemented or share your plan with colleagues.

Your Action Plan

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Appoint a key member of staff to be your sustainability champion.
1. Appoint a key member of staff to be your sustainability champion.

Your sustainability champion will take ownership of this plan, share it with all staff and set an ambitious but achievable timeframe for putting these measures in place.

Establishing clear ownership of this plan is an important first step and will help raise awareness and give priority to the actions needed in order to decarbonise your business.

Consider allocating an appropriate budget for implementation of this plan.

Read more Read less
All appropriate staff should do an online energy training course to identify energy and cost savings for your business.
2. All appropriate staff should do an online energy training course to identify energy and cost savings for your business.

Completing an e-learning course on SEAI’s Energy Academy will enable staff to reduce your business’ energy consumption and save money on your energy bills.

Supports Available & Description

The SEAI Energy Academy is a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.

Read more Read less
Monitor and reduce your energy use, by increasing energy awareness and encouraging behavioural change amongst staff
3. Monitor and reduce your energy use, by increasing energy awareness and encouraging behavioural change amongst staff

Recording energy use gives you a baseline against which to measure all improvement actions taken. SEAI’s Energy Management Guide for Small Business can be a useful guide to getting started with monitoring your energy use.

Use communications tools to promote awareness and support staff to be more energy efficient

Communications will include:

  • Posters and/or other prominent messages in the workplace to let staff know about the energy saving and conservation measures
  • Regular communication on the energy and emissions footprint of the organisation and the steps underway to address these
  • Cues to remind staff to turn off lights and equipment at the end of the day/when not required.
  • Appointing someone to turn off communal machines like printers, coffee machines, etc. at appropriate times
  • Energy saving competitions between departments or teams
  • Encouraging all staff to undertake online sustainability training (training recommendations provided in further actions)
  • consider assigning sustainability objectives, goals and actions as part of your performance management process
Supports Available & Description

The Skillnet Ireland Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Pass is a free online self-study modular programme designed to support all staff of all disciplines and skill levels to improve sustainability awareness and encourage best sustainability practices.

SEAI offers workplace resources like downloadable sticker templates and posters to assist with encouraging sustainable energy use behaviours amount staff:

The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less
Take ‘early win’ actions on efficiency and cost saving measures first.
4. Take ‘early win’ actions on efficiency and cost saving measures first.

The journey to zero emissions will be a demanding one and will likely require strategic investment over time. However, introducing some low-cost energy-saving measures identified through your training can help you make early progress, save your business money and set you on a path to lowering your carbon footprint.

Consider:

  • Replacing all old fluorescent or incandescent lighting with high efficiency LED Lighting at end of life, install lighting controls, such as motion detectors, to reduce consumption.
  • Ensuring thermostats are set to 19 – 22 degrees C and set timers to turn off on weekends and evenings.
  • Installing draught-proofing anywhere that unwanted cold air comes in e.g. under doors, around window frames, through old unused extractor fans.
  • Ensuring major energy using equipment such as boilers, compressors, dryers, refrigeration are regularly serviced and maintained to avoid excess consumption.

Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency

Supports Available & Description

The SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS) offers discounted term loans, asset finance and hire purchase to SMEs, farmers and fishers planning investments in energy-saving technology. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts range from €10k to €150k over terms of up to 10 years.

The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers, and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, loans from €25K to €3m, unsecured up to €500K, over terms from 7 to 10 years.

The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €1,000 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.

Read more Read less
Provide training to all relevant staff to manage and reduce water use.
5. Provide training to all relevant staff to manage and reduce water use.

Staff should be encouraged to visit Uisce Éireann’s conservation quiz to learn about water stewardship and check out the SME Water Stewardship Programme for business to undertake training. It will equip staff with the skills needed to introduce efficiencies in how your business uses water.

Monitor your water use and set targets to reduce it.
6. Monitor your water use and set targets to reduce it.

Appoint somebody to review your water bills periodically and introduce additional measures to bring it down each quarter or year. Sign up to Uisce Éireann’s conservation Pledge and SME Water Stewardship Programme.

As a first step, highlight water conservation options in bathrooms and kitchen areas.

Water is a precious and non-renewable resource. Ensuring your business uses it efficiently will reduce your water bills and help ensure that you will continue to have a reliable water supply into the future.

Supports Available & Description

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less
Support all staff to adopt more sustainable commutes and work options.
7. Support all staff to adopt more sustainable commutes and work options.

Supporting staff to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool in their commute will contribute to staff wellbeing as well as reducing transport-related emissions. Install bike racks for staff and customers

Introduce a remote work/ flexible work policy. Allow more staff to remote work, which will reduce transport-related emissions associated with your business and give staff additional flexibility to manage their work/life balance.

Utilise remote meeting capabilities where possible instead of travelling for meetings and conferences.

Supports Available & Description
Read more Read less
Do an assessment of sustainability performance, including embodied carbon, when purchasing the goods and services required by your business.
8. Do an assessment of sustainability performance, including embodied carbon, when purchasing the goods and services required by your business.

The carbon footprint provided by this Toolkit assesses only the direct emissions, transport or energy sector emissions related to your immediate activities – but the ‘embodied carbon’ (emissions arising from the production, manufacturing, and transport) of the materials and goods consumed could be upward of 45% of your business’s total emissions impact.

Do a strategic review of the goods and materials your business uses.

Reduce the carbon footprint of your supply chain by engaging with suppliers and/or logistics providers by introducing sustainability in purchasing decisions. Start by choosing local supplier options where possible.

When purchasing goods, services, works and utilities your business should ask suppliers to provide information regarding the origin, durability, reparability and recyclability of materials.

By incorporating an ethical supply chain in your business model and achieving green certification you will be able to promote a responsible sourcing process and ethical behaviours in your company, thereby contributing to the challenge of combatting climate change.

Supports Available & Description
Read more Read less
Explore how the sustainability or circularity of your product/service can add value for your customers
9. Explore how the sustainability or circularity of your product/service can add value for your customers

New products, services and new business models will emerge as national and global supply chains decarbonise, and customers become increasingly carbon conscious. This presents opportunities for differentiation, innovation or new products/services that helps your customer reduce their own carbon footprint, waste or other environmental impacts.

Consider applying for an EI Innovation Voucher to assist you with this analysis. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist your company to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.

Supports Available & Description

Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta Climate Action Voucher and GreenStart/Plus to develop plans and undertake staff training in the adoption of circular economy principles. Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta Innovation and R&D Grants; From €5,000 Innovation Vouchers to large scale R&D projects – to support the planning and development of new products, services or processes in the areas of sustainability and decarbonisation.

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less
Appoint a key member of staff to be your sustainability champion.
1. Appoint a key member of staff to be your sustainability champion.

Your sustainability champion will take ownership of this plan, share it with all staff and set an ambitious but achievable timeframe for putting these measures in place.

Establishing clear ownership of this plan is an important first step and will help raise awareness and give priority to the actions needed in order to decarbonise your business.

Consider allocating an appropriate budget for implementation of this plan.

Read more Read less
All appropriate staff should do an online energy training course to identify energy and cost savings for your business.
2. All appropriate staff should do an online energy training course to identify energy and cost savings for your business.

Completing an e-learning course on SEAI’s Energy Academy will enable staff to reduce your business’ energy consumption and save money on your energy bills.

Supports Available & Description

The SEAI Energy Academy is a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.

Read more Read less
Monitor and reduce your energy use, by increasing energy awareness and encouraging behavioural change amongst staff
3. Monitor and reduce your energy use, by increasing energy awareness and encouraging behavioural change amongst staff

Recording energy use gives you a baseline against which to measure all improvement actions taken. SEAI’s Energy Management Guide for Small Business can be a useful guide to getting started with monitoring your energy use.

Use communications tools to promote awareness and support staff to be more energy efficient

Communications will include:

  • Posters and/or other prominent messages in the workplace to let staff know about the energy saving and conservation measures
  • Regular communication on the energy and emissions footprint of the organisation and the steps underway to address these
  • Cues to remind staff to turn off lights and equipment at the end of the day/when not required.
  • Appointing someone to turn off communal machines like printers, coffee machines, etc. at appropriate times
  • Energy saving competitions between departments or teams
  • Encouraging all staff to undertake online sustainability training (training recommendations provided in further actions)
  • consider assigning sustainability objectives, goals and actions as part of your performance management process
Supports Available & Description

The Skillnet Ireland Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Pass is a free online self-study modular programme designed to support all staff of all disciplines and skill levels to improve sustainability awareness and encourage best sustainability practices.

SEAI offers workplace resources like downloadable sticker templates and posters to assist with encouraging sustainable energy use behaviours amount staff:

The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less
Provide training to all relevant staff to manage and reduce water use.
5. Provide training to all relevant staff to manage and reduce water use.

Staff should be encouraged to visit Uisce Éireann’s conservation quiz to learn about water stewardship and check out the SME Water Stewardship Programme for business to undertake training. It will equip staff with the skills needed to introduce efficiencies in how your business uses water.

Take ‘early win’ actions on efficiency and cost saving measures first.
4. Take ‘early win’ actions on efficiency and cost saving measures first.

The journey to zero emissions will be a demanding one and will likely require strategic investment over time. However, introducing some low-cost energy-saving measures identified through your training can help you make early progress, save your business money and set you on a path to lowering your carbon footprint.

Consider:

  • Replacing all old fluorescent or incandescent lighting with high efficiency LED Lighting at end of life, install lighting controls, such as motion detectors, to reduce consumption.
  • Ensuring thermostats are set to 19 – 22 degrees C and set timers to turn off on weekends and evenings.
  • Installing draught-proofing anywhere that unwanted cold air comes in e.g. under doors, around window frames, through old unused extractor fans.
  • Ensuring major energy using equipment such as boilers, compressors, dryers, refrigeration are regularly serviced and maintained to avoid excess consumption.

Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency

Supports Available & Description

The SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS) offers discounted term loans, asset finance and hire purchase to SMEs, farmers and fishers planning investments in energy-saving technology. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts range from €10k to €150k over terms of up to 10 years.

The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers, and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, loans from €25K to €3m, unsecured up to €500K, over terms from 7 to 10 years.

The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €1,000 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.

Read more Read less
Monitor your water use and set targets to reduce it.
6. Monitor your water use and set targets to reduce it.

Appoint somebody to review your water bills periodically and introduce additional measures to bring it down each quarter or year. Sign up to Uisce Éireann’s conservation Pledge and SME Water Stewardship Programme.

As a first step, highlight water conservation options in bathrooms and kitchen areas.

Water is a precious and non-renewable resource. Ensuring your business uses it efficiently will reduce your water bills and help ensure that you will continue to have a reliable water supply into the future.

Supports Available & Description

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less
Support all staff to adopt more sustainable commutes and work options.
7. Support all staff to adopt more sustainable commutes and work options.

Supporting staff to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool in their commute will contribute to staff wellbeing as well as reducing transport-related emissions. Install bike racks for staff and customers

Introduce a remote work/ flexible work policy. Allow more staff to remote work, which will reduce transport-related emissions associated with your business and give staff additional flexibility to manage their work/life balance.

Utilise remote meeting capabilities where possible instead of travelling for meetings and conferences.

Supports Available & Description
Read more Read less
Do an assessment of sustainability performance, including embodied carbon, when purchasing the goods and services required by your business.
8. Do an assessment of sustainability performance, including embodied carbon, when purchasing the goods and services required by your business.

The carbon footprint provided by this Toolkit assesses only the direct emissions, transport or energy sector emissions related to your immediate activities – but the ‘embodied carbon’ (emissions arising from the production, manufacturing, and transport) of the materials and goods consumed could be upward of 45% of your business’s total emissions impact.

Do a strategic review of the goods and materials your business uses.

Reduce the carbon footprint of your supply chain by engaging with suppliers and/or logistics providers by introducing sustainability in purchasing decisions. Start by choosing local supplier options where possible.

When purchasing goods, services, works and utilities your business should ask suppliers to provide information regarding the origin, durability, reparability and recyclability of materials.

By incorporating an ethical supply chain in your business model and achieving green certification you will be able to promote a responsible sourcing process and ethical behaviours in your company, thereby contributing to the challenge of combatting climate change.

Supports Available & Description
Read more Read less
Explore how the sustainability or circularity of your product/service can add value for your customers
9. Explore how the sustainability or circularity of your product/service can add value for your customers

New products, services and new business models will emerge as national and global supply chains decarbonise, and customers become increasingly carbon conscious. This presents opportunities for differentiation, innovation or new products/services that helps your customer reduce their own carbon footprint, waste or other environmental impacts.

Consider applying for an EI Innovation Voucher to assist you with this analysis. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist your company to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.

Supports Available & Description

Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta Climate Action Voucher and GreenStart/Plus to develop plans and undertake staff training in the adoption of circular economy principles. Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta Innovation and R&D Grants; From €5,000 Innovation Vouchers to large scale R&D projects – to support the planning and development of new products, services or processes in the areas of sustainability and decarbonisation.

Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.

Read more Read less

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