Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint, but struggling to know where to start?

Our free Carbon Clinic workshop can guide you step-by-step through the process – from measuring and understanding your footprint, to creating an effective reduction plan.

Working with decarbonisation consultancy BACB Renewables, it’s a safe, friendly space to ask questions and to also learn more about renewable energy solutions.

So far, more than 20 Oh Yes! Net Zero members have taken part in a workshop and came away with an outline carbon reduction plan for their organisation.

Here Ciaran Sharpe, Information Director at BACB Renewables, gives six great reasons to sign up for an Oh Yes! Carbon Clinic workshop.

Ciaran Sharpe, Information Director, BACB Renewables

1) Cutting carbon isn’t just good for the planet … it’s good for business too!

I don’t think we should be embarrassed to say that, for almost any business, money talks.

Reducing your carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable has a number of benefits in that regard. Clearly, if you’re consuming less energy, you’ll save money on your bills. And, if you’re generating excess clean electricity through solar or similar, you can sell that back to the grid and make money.

For businesses which tender for contracts, sustainability is an increasingly significant part of the process. If you can’t demonstrate you’re taking action to reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll lose out on work. That contract could be worth a significant amount of money – it’s serious business!

GTS Logistics UK took part in a recent Oh Yes! Net Zero Carbon Clinic workshop, supported by BACB Renewables.

2) Gain access to free knowledge and expertise

Getting started with reducing your carbon footprint can be a daunting process.

There are a lot of websites and services out there offering sustainability and carbon advice, but often the information is generic, or they charge quite a substantial amount of money for services that may go beyond your needs.

Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Carbon Clinic workshops are funded by fellow members so are completely free to join.

During the three-hour session you will work with real data from your own organisation, receive one-to-one support to calculate your emissions and create ideas to reduce them, and leave with the skills and knowledge to further develop your carbon reduction plan.

Plus, you get access to all of our expertise at BACB Renewables. It really is a no-brainer!

3) Take small steps to start on your path to net zero

For small businesses in particular, just getting through the day-to-day tasks can be a time challenge.

Throw in having to reduce your carbon emissions and reach net zero, and it can easily feel like you’re at breaking point.

What we say is start building your plan with small, easy actions and go from there. Creating a realistic carbon reduction plan is key – don’t over-reach and set targets you can’t hit.

Signing up for a Carbon Clinic workshop might just be the inspiration you need to get started on your path to net zero.

4) If you can’t see it, you can’t reduce it!

Data is king when it comes to carbon. If you can’t measure and understand your footprint, you can’t reduce it effectively.

Collecting the data you need is the first step. When you sign up to a Carbon Clinic workshop, you’ll receive a list of the information you need to bring with you.

If you can’t provide it all, don’t worry – bring as much as you can and we’ll give you some tips on how to obtain the data you’re missing.

5) A safe space to talk carbon – no question is a stupid one!

There’s no stigma when it comes to carbon emissions. Every business has them, and every business faces the challenge of reducing their footprint.

In our Carbon Clinic workshops, there are no stupid questions. We were all beginners once upon a time, so don’t feel you can only sign up and attend when you’re a carbon pro!

Plus, it’s an opportunity to ask any broader questions on renewable solutions – be it solar, heat pumps or whatever.

6) Find inspiration and support within the Oh Yes! community

Knowledge sharing will be absolutely vital if we are, as a society, going to reach net zero.

Learning from the successes – and the mistakes – of other organisations will accelerate that drive. It could be an organisation working in the same sector as you, or a completely different type of business, that provides you with a nugget of wisdom.

That’s what Oh Yes! Net Zero is all about. Being part of a community of like-minded organisations all totally committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Join a Carbon Clinic workshop and I guarantee, you won’t look back!

· To sign up for a workshop, or for more details, visit www.ohyesnetzero.uk/news/about-carbon-clinic-workshops.

Six reasons to join an Oh Yes! Carbon Clinic workshop