Becoming a more sustainable business isn’t just good for the planet, it's good for business too.
As businesses increasingly move towards becoming more sustainable, understanding your businesses’ carbon footprint has become crucial.
Scope 3 emissions is one of the most complex and elusive categories to manage. But for HR and sustainability managers trying to reduce carbon footprints and hit sustainability goals, tackling Scope 3 emissions is vital.
What are Scope 3 Emissions?
Scope 3 emissions are a category of indirect emissions not produced by the company itself but are associated with its activities.
According to a comprehensive report by the UK government, these emissions include all sources not within an organisation's direct control, from the extraction and production of purchased materials to the end-of-life treatment of sold products.
For many businesses, Scope 3 accounts for 70% of their overall carbon footprint and employee commutes are one of the biggest contributors to Scope 3 emissions.
Why Do Scope 3 Emissions Matter?
Understanding and managing Scope 3 emissions is vital because it reflects the full spectrum of the environmental impact a company indirectly influences.
These emissions can often exceed those from direct operations (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2), making them a critical target for those aiming to make a real difference in their environmental impact.
It matters when you’re trying to attract new talent too. A recent Deloitte study shows 69% of employees want their companies to reduce carbon emissions, use renewable energy, and reduce waste.
Challenges in Managing Scope 3 Emissions
One of the biggest challenges in managing Scope 3 emissions is tracking them. Do you know how your employees are travelling to work?
At RideTandem, we carry out employee travel surveys on-site to give businesses this valuable data. We can show you how staff are currently getting to site and, if you launch a shuttle bus service, our reporting tool gives you data on occupancy, booked passengers versus boarded passengers, vehicle information and CO2 emissions.
See how a RideTandem shuttle bus service works
Using Shuttle Bus Services to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions
One practical strategy for reducing Scope 3 emissions related to commuting is implementing shuttle bus services.
By providing buses to transport employees to and from work, companies can significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road, thus lowering the collective carbon footprint.
Shuttle buses not only contribute to a reduction in emissions but also offer a reliable mode of transport for employees, potentially increasing job satisfaction and reducing turnover.
As well as home-to-site transport, RideTandem can also create a “last-mile” service - taking employees from a nearby train station to your office.
Additional Strategies to Manage Scope 3 Emissions
Beyond shuttle services, there are several strategies organisations can employ to reduce the commuting footprint:
- Encouraging Public Transport: Provide subsidies or partnerships with local transport to make public transport a more convenient and cost-effective option for employees. We’ve partnered with NAVIT - a benefit platform that helps companies to offer their employees a flexible, CO2-neutral way to commute.
- Supporting Active Travel: Invest in facilities such as bike racks and showers to make biking or walking to work a viable option. Even if someone doesn’t do the full commute by bike or walking, they may be able to use public transport to get closer and then complete the last part of their journey in a more active way.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Allow remote working or flexible work hours to reduce peak-time travel and, as a result, emissions.
- Awareness and Incentives: Run regular awareness campaigns about the impact of commuting on the environment and offer incentives for employees who choose green commuting options.
Conclusion
For HR and sustainability managers, understanding and mitigating the impact of Scope 3 emissions, particularly those from employee commuting, is essential. It not only contributes to the organisation’s sustainability goals but also fosters a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation. By implementing comprehensive strategies and engaging employees effectively, businesses can make significant strides in reducing their overall carbon footprint.
Why Partner with a Certified B Corp Like RideTandem for Shuttle Services?
RideTandem is proud to be a certified B Corporation, a testament to our commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental impact. Partnering with a B Corp like RideTandem for your shuttle bus services means collaborating with a company that is not just focused on reducing emissions but is holistically prioritising a reduced impact on the planet.
Being a B Corp means we operate with a rigorous standard of transparency and accountability in our environmental and community practices.
It ensures that while we help you reduce your Scope 3 emissions, we are also enhancing your corporate responsibility efforts.
Companies partnering with B Corps like RideTandem can trust that they are aligning with a service provider that shares a genuine commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. This alignment not only helps in achieving environmental goals but also boosts corporate image and employee satisfaction by associating with a partner recognised for its positive impact.
The benefits of working with a B Corp extend beyond just environmental impact. It includes being part of a community that drives economic change and being at the forefront of a movement that values people, the planet, and profit equally.
When you choose RideTandem, you are choosing a partner that is dedicated to creating a sustainable future in every journey it undertakes, reinforcing your own commitment to global stewardship and responsible business practices.
