Doing your bit (corporately)

Most people focus on industry and transport as the main polluters and thus causes of GHG emissions (GreenHouse Gases). However, the service sector – i.e. you and me, O amis lecteurs – can also do their bit.

> Service-sector companies contribute to climate change through their electricity use, heating, cooling and travel. They have an opportunity to influence their operations, supply chains, customers, employees and other stakeholders to help change those behaviours necessary to curb the most dangerous effects of climate change. [This guide](http://pdf.wri.org/hotclimatecoolcommerce.pdf) provides a brief overview of climate change science and expected impacts, the connection between climate change and the service sector and discusses the business case for action. This is followed by the core of the guide which is a practical, step-by-step manual for service-sector businesses ready to begin responding to climate change.

From the [World Resources Institute](http://pubs.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm?PubID=4137) and a tip of the hat to [Worldchanging](http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/004586.html) for the steer. As they note, “there’s useful guidance on choosing staff for the climate team (enthusiasm is an important criterion), creating a budget (the first year’s inventory will require the most resources), and deciding which among a variety of emissions measurement approaches to use. There are also calculation worksheets, a serviceable resource directory, and short case studies from large and small companies, as well as from WRI’s own experiences in managing its climate footprint.”

Might be worth steering senior management to. It’s a worthy thing to do – if you’re feeling altruistic, do it for that; if not, you could just do it as good PR or even to reduce reinsurance rates ;-)