The health of our planet is increasingly important, and organizations are more aware of their responsibility in managing their emissions. The challenge is knowing where to start! Many begin by identifying emission reduction strategies used by industry peers, carrying out an inventory of their organization’s emissions, setting reduction targets, and developing a plan to achieve these reductions.

Understanding the Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is the sum of greenhouse gasses emitted each year by an individual, family, or organization. This includes direct emissions from sources an organization controls, such as company facilities and vehicles, as well as indirect emissions from electricity, supply chains, heating, or cooling.

With 24% of global emissions originating from industry, and the rise of high-quality emission-reduction projects around the world, organizations can fund these projects to reduce emissions while producing benefits to people and planet in the process(1). Trees, Water & People’s (TWP) clean cookstove program is one example of an initiative that improves family health, creates jobs, reduces environmental degradation AND reduces CO2 emissions.

Start reducing emissions by measuring your carbon footprint with our carbon calculator.

Strategies for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

• Energy Efficiency: Begin with a comprehensive audit of your current energy use. Focus on utilizing energy-efficient equipment, enhancing heating and cooling systems, and reducing energy loss during operational hours. Click here to learn more from energy.gov

• Rethinking Air Travel: Consider the environmental cost of air travel. Opt for attending conferences remotely using video conferencing software. Read more on the World Economic Forum - Business Travel Won't be Sustainable Unless Companies Take Action

• Eco-commute and Efficiency Rewards: Launch an eco-commute program to encourage carpooling, biking, or public transportation use among employees. Offer remote workdays to eliminate the need for daily commutes. Encourage participation in environmental projects that contribute to global emission reduction. Need more information on setting up a carpool progam? Check out this link on poola.app

• Sustainable Procurement Practices: Prioritize purchasing environmentally friendly products and services. By actively choosing suppliers and materials that prioritize sustainability – such as those utilizing recycled materials, or buying from companies dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, your organization can make a meaningful difference. Check out this Beginner’s Guide for Sustainable Procurement.

Reflecting on Our Shared Responsibility

Organizations need to recognize their role in the global effort to reduce emissions. By partnering with the Trees, Water & People (TWP)’s Justa Cookstove program to purchase carbon offsets, your business can fund the construction and use of efficient cookstoves in Central America, reducing emissions, enhancing family livelihoods and creating green jobs.

Contact sela@treeswaterpeople.org to learn more about TWP’s cookstove program and how we can right-size your offset goals to achieve impact together.

(1) OAR US EPA, ‘Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions’, Overviews and Factsheets, 29 December 2015, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions.