In the Green, out the Red: Companies facing Carbon Clampdown

<p>At a time when many businesses may be more concerned about the size of their profit margin than the size of their carbon footprint, it can be easy to forget that everyone â€" organisations and individuals â€" have a duty to protect the planet for future generations. <p> Furthermore, it’s important to point out that by running a tight, environmentally friendly ship this can actually help businesses save a great deal of money each year. <p> For example, countless companies transport their staff around the world for meetings or seminars, but in an age that has seen internet technology come into a league of its own, this really isn’t necessary. VOiP software, email, telephone conferencing services and instant messaging all help to facilitate remote meetings, thereby cutting the need for expensive, environmentally-damaging travel. <p> The digital age can also help businesses run a paperless office system, with documents being stored on servers, portable hard-drives and many other secure cyber hubs, with the same access being granted to anybody within a company, regardless of where they are in the world. With portable web-browsing devices now reaching ubiquity in the business world, there really is no need to be printing documents out. <p> Moreover, the need to take affirmative action in the fight to cut carbon emissions takes on even greater significance when you consider the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) that is scheduled to come into force in early 2010. <p> The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is introducing the mandatory scheme in a bid to tackle climate change and heavy fines could be applicable for companies that fail to comply with the new legislation. <p> So which businesses will be affected by these new changes? Well, as a general guideline, if a company spends over half a million pounds a year on electricity, then it’s likely they will have to participate in the scheme. Essentially, many businesses will have to submit records outlining their energy consumption level and, depending on the level of their emissions, they may have to purchase an annual allowance. <p> Measuring and monitoring will be central to the <a href="http://www.npower.com/web/In_business/Energy_management/index.htm">energy management</a> process and the CRC should help businesses to minimise their annual energy consumption which will not only enable them to cut needless waste, but also do their bit for the environment too. <p> Prior to the CRC becoming mandatory, businesses can adopt a number of energy management tools and strategies so they can hit the ground running when the legislation comes into effect in 2010 and with the right approach, a sustainable reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved which is good news for their profits and good news for the environment too. <p> Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind. <p> <p></p>