We all leave footprints or fingerprints in the physical and digital world. A footprint on a beach though is only temporary, but cumulatively, footsteps or footprints in a popular National Park like the Lake District cause long-lasting, permanent ecological damage. Businesses are no different – you and we leave carbon footprints and these are not washed so easily away as a step on a beach.
PAS 2060 sets out a 4-step process (honestly we’ll drop the footprint metaphor soon, but bear with us).
The first stage is to measure
Measure, in this case, means to accurately gauge your carbon emissions. This needs to be internationally recognisable and verifiable.
“For organisations, the recommended calculation methodologies are ISO 14064-1 or GHG Corporate Protocol, and for products and services it would be to perform a PAS 2050 lifecycle assessment.”
Guidance though accepts there cannot be 100% accuracy as many aspects of production are outside the scope of the organisation – an employee’s commute, for example, could be a one mile walk or a 40-mile drive; waste disposal is difficult to measure etc.
Step 2 is to reduce
Your company needs to formulate a Carbon Footprint Management Plan. This can be broken down into 4 sections:
- A timeline
- Specific targets for carbon reduction
- Strategies for meeting these targets
- Offsetting emissions
Offset is a neat third step
PAS 2060 helpfully provides guidance on offsetting. These carbon credits must be approved and verified, have additionality and be retired from a public record after 12 months.
Finally, comes validation and documentation
This is the final part of becoming carbon neutral. This can be self-validation, or validation by an independent third party.
An example of a Declaration of Achievement could read like:
“The carbon neutrality of the Company’s business activities “A” has been achieved in accordance with PAS 2060to [date] for the period beginning on [date], certified by [‘Validation Body’]”
How can HSEQ-360 help?
HSEQ-360 Ltd utilise a team with wide ranging skills, competencies and experiences; including chartered engineers, chartered health and safety and chartered quality professionals. We can review your company’s operations and management systems and implement sustainability strategies which are reasonable and practicable for your business.
We operate a management system which is certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 & ISO45001; and we are specialists in developing bespoke management systems for your business. We can complete an environmental impact on your behalf and can provide practical recommendations on how to proceed environmentally.
For further information, please see our website at www.hseq-360.co.uk or contact a member of the team on info@hseq-360.co.uk
