Environment: Is there still time for companies to reverse the negative effects they have on the environment?

In recent weeks we have been attending COP 27, the UN climate summit. Here, many countries have addressed the issue of the climate emergency, and the outlook does not seem to be very encouraging. One issue seems clear: The climate crisis will be one of the main (if not the main) challenge of the coming decades..

Faced with this prospectThe role of different social actors is essential to reverse the current trend. Among these actors we can highlight the states themselves, as well as educational institutions, which are responsible for raising awareness among future generations. But another essential actor to solve this problem is the companies themselves.. Logically, as they are in charge of producing and distributing a large amount of goods, as well as housing multiple people in their facilities throughout the working day, they cause a high percentage of the total climate impact that our planet suffers.

In order to help companies to maintain a more climate-friendly attitude, this article will list a number of ways for your company to reduce its climate impact:

1- Changing habits in the workplaceChange both the design of the office itself, as well as the elements we find in them. If we manage the energy transition correctly in this area, moreover, we can save a good deal of money.

Por ejemplo, con la improved lighting in the space where you work you can reduce electricity consumption by using natural light whenever possible. Another alternative would be to use some lámparas LED. Another key element of this point would be that the equipment with which workers operate should be of good quality and ergonomic, in order to avoid wasting resources.

2- Optimising travel management

Introduce new travel management models for both customer and supplier travel. In addition, using the most environmentally friendly means of transport when making a business trip and encourage public transport.

If we have a garage for our employees to park their cars, provide it with a charging point for electric cars, in order to facilitate the transition to the use of a more environmentally friendly private vehicle.

3- Take into account the materials we work with.

Improve packaging and packing by using materials that are not so harmful to the environment. Be careful to talk to suppliers of products taking into account the ecological factor when choosing the most optimal product.

4- Use tools to unify tasks in network work.

One of the biggest sources of energy consumption in companies, surprising as it may seem, is the large number of computer programmes in use. The programs we use often use different servers, which together generate a high level of consumption. But there is a solution to this problem. there are some programmes, called CRM, which unify the functions of the different software programmes.. If we find the right CRM, in which all the IT processes we need for the company can be unified, we will only be using one server. 

This will make all the servers we were previously using stop working, and consequently the environmental impact of servers will be considerably reduced.

5- To stimulate environmental commitment and social responsibility both in the private sphere of the company, as well as externally.

Internally, to emphasise to their own employees the need to care for the environment. Stimulating this element with training or some kind of incentives for workers can be helpful: Every change counts, no matter how small!

On the external side, bear in mind that the ecological element can also be a factor in economic optimisationSome of the clients you work with may consider it a priority for the partners they work with to get involved in the climate fight. 

Finalmentereview of information materials and publicity campaigns created by the company, trying to ensure that these include environmentally friendly materials and that they send out an environmentally sensitive message.