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
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.
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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.
Staff engagement
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.
The SEAI Energy Academy is a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.
Energy
Staff engagement
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:
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.
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.
Energy
Staff engagement
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:
Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency
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.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
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.
Staff engagement
Water
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.
The SME Water Stewardship Programme is a free online training initiative, offered in partnership with Uisce Éireann and the Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, and delivered by 20FIFTY Partners. Accredited by Water Stewardship Ireland, this programme provides international best practice certification and equips businesses with the knowledge to lower water consumption, reduce water bills, and protect the environment.
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.
Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IDA Ireland’s GreenStart and GreenPlus grants can support client companies with training and advice focused on water conservation projects e.g. -Provide advice on water risks (financial, reputational, regulatory or physical) and how to mitigate them -Assist with preparation of a Water Stewardship Map, Targets and Action Plan -Establish a baseline assessment to identify possible savings and KPIs -Provide training and guidance on the implementation of software tools to measure, manage and report -Provide introductory training for relevant staff Assist with access to other tools and resources to maintain performance and to improve water stewardship
Cost saving
Water
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.
Staff engagement
Travel
In calculating your carbon footprint, you did not provide a weight for each of your green, brown and black bins. If you already segregate on this basis these weights are available from your bin provider. If you do not segregate waste into these (and any other relevant categories) you need to make a plan to do so.
Your business should make it as easy as possible for staff to correctly segregate waste. By providing clear guidance, labelling and making sure you have accessible bins on your premises you are complying with legal obligations, lowering operating costs and helping to protect human health and the environment.
Cost saving
Materials
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.
High Impact
Materials
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.
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.
Materials
Staff engagement
Supports
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.
Staff engagement
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.
The SEAI Energy Academy is a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.
Energy
Staff engagement
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:
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.
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.
Energy
Staff engagement
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.
Staff engagement
Water
In calculating your carbon footprint, you did not provide a weight for each of your green, brown and black bins. If you already segregate on this basis these weights are available from your bin provider. If you do not segregate waste into these (and any other relevant categories) you need to make a plan to do so.
Your business should make it as easy as possible for staff to correctly segregate waste. By providing clear guidance, labelling and making sure you have accessible bins on your premises you are complying with legal obligations, lowering operating costs and helping to protect human health and the environment.
Cost saving
Materials
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:
Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency
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.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
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.
The SME Water Stewardship Programme is a free online training initiative, offered in partnership with Uisce Éireann and the Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, and delivered by 20FIFTY Partners. Accredited by Water Stewardship Ireland, this programme provides international best practice certification and equips businesses with the knowledge to lower water consumption, reduce water bills, and protect the environment.
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.
Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IDA Ireland’s GreenStart and GreenPlus grants can support client companies with training and advice focused on water conservation projects e.g. -Provide advice on water risks (financial, reputational, regulatory or physical) and how to mitigate them -Assist with preparation of a Water Stewardship Map, Targets and Action Plan -Establish a baseline assessment to identify possible savings and KPIs -Provide training and guidance on the implementation of software tools to measure, manage and report -Provide introductory training for relevant staff Assist with access to other tools and resources to maintain performance and to improve water stewardship
Cost saving
Water
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.
Staff engagement
Travel
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.
High Impact
Materials
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.
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.
Materials
Staff engagement
Supports
You have indicated that you have completed all available actions. There is still more that you can do to contribute positively as our economy decarbonises, including leadership in your supply chain enabling suppliers and customers to also be more sustainable.
