Reducing your carbon footprint

Carbon Offset options

Every day, every business and every individual contributes to global warming. It can come as a surprise how much CO2 is actually released into the environment... currently around 28 billion tonnes a year. However, all businesses can take steps - no matter how small - to reduce their carbon footprint.

Data source:
US Energy Information Administration, International Energy Annual 2005.
(Please note: You need Microsoft Excel to view)


There is much a business can do to reduce its CO2 emissions:

  • Work out your carbon footprint - our carbon footprint calculator can help.
  • Pinpoint your main emissions - see where you are using a great deal of energy and producing large amounts of CO2.
  • Get energy efficient - how could you reduce the amount of CO2 your business creates? Premises insulation, low energy light bulbs and a more efficient vehicle fleet could all help.
  • Offset - once you have arranged energy savings, look to offset the CO2 you still produce... and you can do this with RBS.
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Travelling can be one of the biggest sources of CO2 emissions. By reducing your energy use here, you can make a large difference to the amount of CO2 your business produces.

  • Check tyres every week - ensure they are within the limits set down by the manufacturers. You could lower CO2 emissions by around 200kg in a year, and gain fuel cost savings. This also reduces tyre wear and improves safety.
  • Consider the bus or train - this can be cheaper and is better for the environment than flying.
  • Change your vehicles - as well as saving fuel, vehicles with low CO2 emissions pay less road tax.
  • Adjust your speed - rather than do 70mph where you're allowed, try driving at 55-65mph. This could typically cut back on one tonne of CO2 emissions, and save on fuel costs.
  • Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses twice as much fuel as a warm one, and catalytic converters can take five miles to work properly.
  • Use conference calling where possible - avoiding the need for business colleagues to travel to meetings can be less tiring as well as more environmentally friendly.
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Many businesses now take the time to recycle. With a little extra effort, you can also substantially reduce the CO2 emissions in your business. This can also mean lowering your energy bills.

  • Use the OFF switch - turn off computers and appliances at the mains instead of leaving them on standby. You could save considerably on your electricity bills.
  • Change your bulbs - energy-saving light bulbs produce much less heat than traditional bulbs, and dramatically reduce your CO2 emissions. Fit low energy bulbs throughout your premises and you could also save money over the lifetime of the bulbs.
  • Insulate - you can often get grants to improve the insulation in your premises, which is one of the biggest factors in heat loss. Also check for draughts around windows, doors and floors.
  • Turn down the heat - reduce the thermostat on your heating by just one degree, and you can save on your heating bills.
  • Switch to paperless statements - use online banking and opt to receive your monthly statements online instead of on paper.
  • Engage your staff - change the culture in your business towards environmental care, by promoting recycling, better driving, perhaps even working from home. Encourage staff to offset their personal impact by visiting Carbon Offset for individuals.
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