CHELTENHAM ZERO
is an initiative from Cheltenham Borough Council to drive local businesses, community groups, and charities to achieve net zero
Decarbonise
How do you decarbonise
Where to start
Decarbonising starts with measuring your impact. Until you know your impact and the activities which impact your footprint the highest, you cannot plan how to achieve net zero carbon.
1. Measure
There are many online calculators available for free, but do make sure to use a calculator which aligns with the GHG Protocol. Here are some suggestions to get you off the ground.
Free online calculators aligned with the GHG Protocol
Persefoni (Scope 1&2 free)
SME Climate Hub (Scope 1,2&3 free)
We have a number of FREE year-long licences available for Zellar which is an online measurement and action platform. Access your free 1 year trial
The Growth Hub Cheltenham offers free Net Zero support and advice on calculating your carbon footprint by their expert team. Ideal if your business is slightly more complex and you want to measure scope 3 from the start.
Modeshift STARS empowers organisations by providing a centre of excellence for developing, delivering, and monitoring Travel Plans.
2. Plan
Now you have measured your impact you can see where your highest emissions come from and can start to explore how you can reduce these emissions.
It is likely that your highest emissions will be from:
Energy (electricity and heating)
Transport (fleet vehicles)
Commuting (employee travel)
Energy
Is the easiest to solve, here are the 7Rs for cost saving and cutting emissions from your energy .
Eliminate demand altogether – prevention or conservation.
Use less resource to meet the need.
Change materials or sources (e.g. low carbon electricity).
Reintroduce into same flow.
Use in a different flow.
Capture some value (e.g. energy from waste).
Return in an environmentally benign way. This may require treatment or containment.
How to >
- Reduce heat loss.
- Use heating controls.
- Install lighting sensors.
- Replace lighting with LED bulbs.
- Let in natural light.
- Check office equipment.
- Maintain production and manufacturing equipment.
- Make sure refrigeration units are working efficiently.
- Efficient equipment upgrades.
- Smart controls.
- Employee awareness.
Get an energy audit to identify energy-saving opportunities so your business can save energy, money, and emissions Energy audit funding available here.
Transport
Emissions reduction can be achieved for your fleet with these 3 simple steps.
How can fleets reduce truck emissions?
Emissions = Distance x Vehicle energy efficiency x Fuel emissions intensity
Drive less
- Optimise routes
- Consolidate loads
- Back loading
- Mode shift to rail
- Supply chain initiatives
Carry more, use less fuel
- Eco-driving
- Hybrid diesel trucks
- High productivity vehicles
- Aero equipment
- LRR tyres
- Tyre inflation, maintenance
- Reduced engine idling
- Auxiliary power units/site power
Change fuel/energy type
- Biodiesel
- Renewable diesel
- Battery electric (BET)
- Hydrogen fuel cell (FCET)
- Hydrogen combustion (H-ICE)
How to >
- Investing in electric vehicles
- Optimising freight routes
- Optimise and reduce packaging
More help to reduce freight emissions can be found at the SME Climate Hub
Commuting
Reducing employees commuting plays an important role in achieving net zero carbon.
How to >
- Promoting flexible work arrangements
- Encouraging carpooling Car Share Gloucestershire
- Encourage the use of public transport
- Investing in sustainable transportation options like electric vehicle salary sacrifice
- Think Travel cycling infrastructure and the bike to work scheme
Join Active Businesses Gloucestershire to find support for your business in reducing its commuting emissions.
Jump to your page now for how to approach this and explore our resources