Decarbonisation metrics: how to track and report carbon reductions

Decarbonisation represents a genuine opportunity to make a positive environmental impact whilst future-proofing your business as we move into a greener world. It demonstrates awareness and accountability for your carbon impact.

Measuring and reporting your carbon emissions helps you stay on track for your decarbonisation goals and helps demonstrate your business's compliance with its environmental commitments. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about tracking and reporting your carbon reductions, as well as the key metrics to record, with practical tips to get started.

Why should you track and report your carbon emissions?

Tracking your carbon emissions is like setting a GPS for your sustainability journey; it tells you where you are and where you need to go. Carbon accounting helps you understand the complete environmental impact of your business, set goals and celebrate your progress towards decarbonisation. It goes beyond simple compliance and is about taking responsibility for your emissions and leading the way toward a greener future.

The benefits of carbon accounting for your business

• Leadership in sustainability - By committing to decarbonisation, your business positions itself as a sustainability leader. It’s a powerful way to inspire confidence and trust among your customers, investors and team members.
• Winning over eco-conscious customers - Customers care about sustainability, and they love brands that do too. Sharing your progress shows them you’re walking the walk, not just talking the talk.
• Attracting investment and top talent - Investors and employees increasingly value businesses that align with their beliefs. Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have if you want to attract people who share your vision.

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How do you keep track of your emissions?

Tracking emissions might sound complex, but with a clear plan, it’s totally doable. Breaking it down into steps makes it much more manageable and more rewarding as you see your progress unfold.

Step 1: pinpoint emission sources in your business

Every business has carbon hotspots, which are places where emissions stack up. Some of the usual suspects include:

• Energy use: Heating, lighting and running equipment in your buildings.
• Transportation: Company cars, delivery vehicles and even employee commutes.
• Waste: Recycling, disposal and anything that ends up in the bin.

By taking a closer look at these areas and working out the big contributors, you’ll have a solid foundation to start tracking.

Step 2: Gather and crunch the numbers

Once you’ve identified the culprits, it’s time to measure them. This means collecting data like:

• How much electricity and gas your business uses (measured in kilowatt-hours).
• The fuel consumption of company vehicles.
• Energy tied to water usage and treatment.

The next step is converting these figures into greenhouse gas emissions using tools like government-approved conversion factors​. It might feel a little technical, but it’s worth it for the insight you’ll gain. Moreover, it shows your commitment to getting it right when it comes to decarbonisation.

Step 3: Find smart ways to cut emissions

Now comes the exciting part, figuring out how to bring your emissions down. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Switching to renewable energy sources like solar panels or heat pumps to power your business​​.
• Opting for electric vehicles or encouraging employees to carpool or use public transport.
• Reducing water consumption and rethinking waste management strategies.

By making these changes, you’ll cut your carbon footprint whilst also saving on energy costs. And who doesn’t love a win-win?

Step 4: Keep an eye on progress and share your success

Decarbonisation is an ongoing effort rather than a one-and-done deal. Regularly measuring your emissions and tracking changes over time helps you stay on course. Think about creating monthly or quarterly reports to keep everyone in the loop. That way, you can be confident about your long-term journey in decarbonisation.

Sharing your progress publicly on your website, in annual reports or even through social media can be a smart move too. It shows transparency, builds trust and makes your achievements shine to customers and partners.

A step toward a greener future

At its core, tracking and reporting carbon reductions is about showing you care about the planet, your people and your business’s future. It’s all about leading by example, hitting your decarbonisation goals and making real, measurable change.

If you’re ready to take the leap, Oakray can help. From innovative solar solutions to tailored energy strategies, we’ve got the expertise to support your decarbonisation journey. Let’s create a greener future together.