The Low Carb Corporate Diet

Every year, one of the most common New Year's resolutions is to lose weight. But what about the company that resolves to be more environmentally-friendly in 2008? According to Sustainable Business Design Consulting, it's much like following a diet. If your business is interested in reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, there is The Low Carb Corporate Diet™, a step-by-step plan for success to help your company shed those unwanted (carbon dioxide) pounds! The Low Carb Corporate Diet™ follows the following steps and each step is tailored to the company.

1. Make a commitment - Be clear in understanding your motivation for undertaking The Low Carb Corporate Diet™ (certification, public relations, compliance, etc.). There must be strong commitment in order to ensure your best chance for success. This includes top management, a support or “green team,” and your own commitment. Part of “making the commitment” is also considering the consequences of inaction or business as usual. For a business, this might entail risk assessment.


2. Measure your starting weight - A greenhouse gas (GHG) audit or carbon footprint of your current emissions is necessary to begin a corporate low-carb diet™. Have an energy audit performed. How many pounds or tons of greenhouse gases or carbon dioxide does your company currently emit?
   
3. Analyze your current behaviors and consumption patterns - Where is the company “heavy” in emissions and in need of shedding excess weight? What are the current patterns of energy usage?


4. Establish your priorities and goals - Where should you start? How many tons or pounds does the company want to shed? Where does the company want to trim the excess? What are the priorities?


5. Create a plan - Create a detailed reduction plan to help the company reach it's goals. Identify the necessary actions, timelines, and responsible parties.


6. Implement the plan - Get everyone’s support; you can’t do this alone. Work with the “green team.” Assign responsibilities. This can be challenging and, at times, frustrating; don’t give up.


7. Measure progress regularly - Most companies will opt for an annual audit to measure progress toward goals.


8. Review and revise your plan - What’s working and what’s not? What modifications are necessary in the plan?


9. Celebrate success - Remember to celebrate (and promote) success along the way. Every small success is an accomplishment.


10. Mentor others - Share your knowledge and experience to help others.