Time to go green

With COP26 in the headlines, the world leaders have been discussing how governments can address the damage humans are doing to the planet.

However, most of us can't do much to change what our government does, but we can take action in a smaller way in our own businesses. This is something that we've taken to heart and has been actively discussed in our partners' meetings. This is our own to-do list:

We've already reduced the amount of paper we use to about one tenth of what it was 5 years ago. We're not paperless yet, but heading in that direction. 

Much of the paper we do have has to be securely destroyed and we are looking beyond the point of collection to how it's disposed of after destruction, to ensure the process is as ecologically friendly as possible.

While everyone has become recycling-conscious at home, the waste in the office (with the exception of paper) has all been disposed of in a single bin. We are now bringing recycling bins into all our offices to separate glass, cardboard, etc. and reduce what goes to landfill.

Energy awareness

We have already invested in a new boiler that's more energy efficient and we're actively looking at installing LED lights, which are significantly more energy efficient.

The cost of heating and cooling can be reduced by efficient insulation, even in offices. We're restricted as one of our offices is a listed building, which prevents some of the strategies that would help - but we are doing what we can by being conscious of doors and windows being left open during colder weather.

Encouraging staff to develop energy-saving habits, such as turning off lights and other electrical appliances that are not currently in use, is part of our green strategy.

Any new company cars we purchase will potentially be electric too - and the pandemic has made us realise that some staff can work from home at least some of the time, reducing their carbon footprint.

Beyond the office door

It's not just what we're doing, but what our suppliers are doing too. We'll be assessing all our purchases for their environmental impact.

And, of course, we are looking at how we can help our clients to reduce their impact on the environment.

There are a lot of tax breaks for being energy efficient:

  • Some cars with low CO2 emissions - including electric cars, which have 100% tax relief on new vehicles
  • Energy saving equipment that's on the energy technology product list
  • Water saving equipment that's on the water efficient technologies product list, for example meters, efficient toilets and taps
  • Plant and machinery for gas refuelling stations, such as storage tanks, pumps
  • Gas, biogas and hydrogen refuelling equipment
  • New zero-emission goods vehicles

Using low or zero carbon technology to replace existing equipment allows the business to claim capital allowances.

Large companies are already required to do a sustainability report - which requires a high level of detail and accountability. This may become applicable to smaller companies eventually, so taking action sooner rather than later is simply good sense. Don't wait until you can't avoid it, be proactive and start putting your plan in place now.

Part of the accountant's role now includes data analysis - and it's not all about finances. If you want to explore how your business could become greener the impact of that financially and how it could be reported, we're ready to help. Even the smallest improvement, collectively, can make a big difference.