Electricity production is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions, so investing in sustainable energy is important for all businesses as clean energy reduces harmful buildup in our air and water.
Renewable energy involves any system that allows clean energy to be generated from a natural and sustainable source that can be replenished indefinitely, with minimal environmental impact. These include solar power, wind turbines, bioenergy, geothermal energy, marine energy and hydropower.
While fossil fuels (such as oil, coal and natural gas) are produced through natural processes, they are slow to replenish and will run out eventually.
Long-term benefits
Investing in green energy for your business is crucial for long-term success. As well as environmental benefits, there are also commercial advantages to investing in renewable energy for your business.
With renewable energy sources the only investment is in building the facility that will convert the energy. While this upfront cost can be significant, the ongoing cost to generate electricity can be quite low. Switching to renewable energy systems is also not as expensive as it used to be and they generally provide a quick return on investment.
Reduce your business’ reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources such as sun and wind will not run out, and are a more sustainable long-term energy solution.
Making this switch may provide a reduction in your business energy costs and is one of the quickest and easiest ways to lower your carbon footprint.
Consumers
Consumers are growing more aware of business sustainability efforts and are becoming more likely to stop engaging with a business that does not make any effort towards sustainability.
Being able to market your business as environmentally friendly is very valuable in today’s climate. It will help keep your existing consumers loyal, and will draw attention from new potential consumers who are looking for more sustainable businesses to support.
Consumers today are making more effort to make their own efforts towards sustainability and being environmentally friendly. They will only continue to be more careful about purchasing from business with ethical and sustainable practices.
Not all changes have to be big
Businesses don’t need to make huge changes straight away, even making small changes can make a big difference and may result in cost savings.
Some small changes that businesses can make include changing to energy efficient lighting, such as switching to LED light bulbs. LED lighting uses up less energy than regular light bulbs and does not need to be replaced as regularly.
Don’t be tempted to leave computers and office equipment in stand-by mode as this still uses up a lot of energy. Make sure to turn these off when not in use.
Update any old appliances that are no longer working efficiently and invest in appliances with a good energy star rating. Also make sure to use energy efficiency settings on your office appliances.
Get air-conditioning and heating systems regularly cleaned and maintained so they work at optimal efficiency. Try to avoid using heating or cooling systems all day, and keep them set at a moderate temperature to reduce your energy consumption.
For more on the benefits of investing in sustainable energy, check out our blog on the advantages of solar energy in 2021.