Rather than talking about off-setting emissions we need to strike at the heart of the matter. It is far better to cut carbon emissions by changing the way we do business. We need to:
ELIMINATE NON ESSENTIAL BUSINESS TRAVEL
Many business miles are unnecessary as technology advances services like web, voice and video conferencing come to the fore. Not only can you talk to a colleague over any distance but you can also see them and collaborate on shared documents and presentations. One fantastic side effect of this is that, not only do you cut the production of carbon but you also dramatically reduce your business costs both directly in terms of expenses but also in relation to time saved.
Reduce commuter miles by encouraging home working (see below) and by having smaller, IP enabled, regional offices.
EMBRACE HOME WORKING
Home working in its most simple form eliminates commuting and drastically reduces business travel. In addition your organisation is not held to ransom by fuel protests or adverse freak weather conditions.
CHOOSE SUPPLIERS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR CARBON EFFIENCY
It makes the most sense to work with businesses that practice what they preach and have actually gone through the process of cutting their own carbon emissions
INVEST IN THE LATEST, MOST EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY TO LIBERATE OUR PROCESSES
The effective technologies not only allow low carbon working practices, like home-working but also directly consume a great deal less energy than an equivalent system for 5 years ago. They also require less energy in their manufacture and produce less, non recyclable waste.
All of the systems we use comply with these standards and best working practices