A symbolic depiction of a slogan aimed an encouraging carbon reduction and sustainability: three wooden building blocks are lined up to spell out "reduce" reuse and recycle; above these is a block labelled "Eco".
We have gathered advice on how your organisation can reduce it's carbon footprint by changing business practices for example avoiding waste. © Photostory / Alamy Stock Photo
We have gathered advice on how your organisation can reduce it's carbon footprint by changing business practices for example avoiding waste. © Photostory / Alamy Stock Photo

Making Your Business Operations More Environmentally Sustainable

This page offers guidance to help make your business operations more sustainable. Methods include adopting sustainable procurement practices, and implementing a digital and waste reduction strategy.

  1. Procurement
  2. Waste reduction
  3. Digital Sobriety Strategy
  4. More themes to help your organisation towards Net Zero

Procurement

Sustainable procurement is a strategic approach to sourcing goods and services that emphasises environmental and social considerations. You should evaluate your supply chain, examine the origins and composition of what is being purchased, and consider what happens to it once it has been used.

By prioritising suppliers with eco-friendly practices and fair labour standards, your organisation can significantly reduce the socio-environmental impact of its operations, including its Scope 3 emissions. This includes adding climate clauses to contracts, to increase the purchase of locally sourced goods and services that are recyclable, reusable, and resource efficient.

Further resources

Waste reduction

Implementing an effective waste reduction strategy is a key aspect of sustainable procurement. It plays a pivotal role in the preservation of resources and mitigation of environmental harm. The creation of a circular economy where resources are used efficiently, and waste is minimised by buying less and better, reduces your indirect emissions and brings long-term cost and reputational benefits for your organisation.

Resources  to support waste reduction

For broader advice on maintaining and repairing older buildings please check out Historic England's technical guidance and brochure.

Digital Sobriety Strategy

Digital pollution is the greenhouse gases that come from building, delivering, storing, and using digital technology. It makes up a significant proportion of global emissions (3.5% in 2019), which is equivalent to the emissions of the entire aviation industry. The growth of its impacts (+6% / year), as our way of working and living becomes increasingly digital, is incompatible with a 2°C global warming limit pathway. By designing and implementing a digital sobriety strategy for your organisation you can strongly limit your digital carbon footprint.

Further resources on digital sobriety

Be alert to the publication of the government's mandatory digital waste tracking policy that will be introduced from April 2025.

More themes to help your organisation towards Net Zero

  • Understanding Your Carbon Footprint

    Find out how to understand your organisation's carbon footprint including how to draft a carbon reduction plan and monitor progress

  • Reduce Your Dependency on Fossil Fuels

    Guidance on energy use and purchasing to help you reduce your organisation's carbon footprint to net zero.

  • Sustainable Travel

    Guidance on sustainable commuting and business travel as part of achieving net zero for your organisation.

  • Enhance Biodiversity

    Advice on enhancing biodiversity as part of your organisation's journey towards reaching net zero carbon footprint.

  • Offsetting

    Advice on offsetting carbon as the last step in your organisation's carbon reduction journey towards net zero.