Climate change is happening and the results – melting ice caps, rising sea levels, drought and deforestation – are already with us. Our workplaces burn energy, use resources and generate waste and carbon emissions, so they are important places to take action on environmental issues.

There are plenty of fairly painless things that we can all do as individuals which can add up to a significant impact. But employers can also take action on a larger scale. Many climate-friendly actions can yield big benefits to business too, such as cutting costs.

In this section, you will find ideas for things you and your co-workers can do right now, as well as bigger things to push your employer for and ways to win support.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The TUC’s Go Green at Work handbook (PDF, 1.7MB) provides lots of information and guidance on organising action on environmental issues in the workplace. While it’s aimed at union members, you’ll find lots of ideas you can put into practice even if there’s no union presence where you work.

Other useful sources of information include:

• The Carbon Trust
• Energy Saving Trust
• Department for Energy and Climate Change
• Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs