{"id":81487,"date":"2022-01-04T04:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T04:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/?p=81487"},"modified":"2023-10-16T16:05:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T16:05:35","slug":"going-greener-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/news\/going-greener-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Going greener at work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At BGS, one of our key goals is improving our environmental sustainability<\/a>, not only as an organisation but also by making small changes to the ways in which we work on a personal level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following COP26<\/a>, held in November 2021, it is clearer than ever that there is a critical need for businesses and individuals to actively work towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working sustainably<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On an individual level, we all have a responsibility to contribute towards improving environmental sustainability in our daily lives. Whilst most of us are aware of our carbon footprint, often we do too little to prevent or reduce our environmental impact. For some, this may be due to the inconvenience of changing aspects of our lifestyles; for others it may be a result of misinformation or a misperception about environmental sustainability in modern society. For example, you may feel that your personal sustainability is hindered by working practices, however there are several small changes most of us can make as part of our daily working lives that will actively aid improving environmental sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Improving the sustainability of our laboratories<\/a> is integral to the British Geological Survey\u2019s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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At BGS, our staff are becoming more sustainably aware and we are helping to support them, while also reducing our corporate footprint, by embedding environmental sustainability into our business practices, as outlined by the recent annual Environmental Sustainability Strategy<\/a> (ESS) annual progress report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint through small changes in your daily activities, ranging from methods of transport through our activities at the office to working practices in our personal office space. Here are some tips that may help you become a little more sustainable in your working life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing your carbon footprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For some, there may be the option of more sustainable commuting such as walking, cycling (we are part of the Cycle to Work scheme) or public transport. You may be in the position to switch to an electric car \u2014 we have charging points now at Keyworth, Edinburgh and Eskdalemuir \u2014 or organise a car-share system, providing this complies with Government COVID-19 guidance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some staff may consider their carbon footprint as a reason to work from home. However, keep in mind that, when working at home during the winter, it can be more efficient to light and heat a shared office space than several individual homes that may be less carbon efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n

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BGS has installed charging points for electric vehicles at some of our office spaces, such as Edinburgh and Eskdalemuir. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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Whether working from home or in a shared office, there are also small changes that can help reduce our carbon footprint, which collectively can make a significant organisational saving over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n