Pete Adams Design is now Carbon Neutral! Hooray to being a sustainable design business

Working for sustainability: OUR BUSINESS GOALS - CARBON NEUTRAL OPERATIONS ACHIEVED, NOVEMBER 2020.

One of the top goals for my studio for 2020 was to work towards net zero emissions and create a carbon neutral, and then carbon positive design studio. In November of 2020 the carbon neutral goal was achieved. This year has been a crazy year for everyone. Bushfires, Flash Floods, COVID Pandemic, and now back into searing heat waves. It’s impossible not to see our negative impact on the planet and so sustainability has been an important driver for me this year. 

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CARBON NEUTRAL GOAL - ACHIEVED.

2020 was a big year with a number of sustainability goals achieved. This means that as of 29 November 2020 Pete Adams Design is now a carbon neutral business. As a small business, I have decided not to go for an official certification so as to minimise costs however all decisions and actions have been made under the advice of the sustainability team at Byron Shire Council.

Here’s what we’ve done this year to work towards and achieve our sustainability goals:

  1. Superannuation has been moved to Australian Ethical Super.

  2. Banking moved to Bank Australia.

  3. 6.6Kw Solar System installed at the studio with an advanced low energy start up allowing for longer hours of solar powered energy during winter months.

  4. Energy Plan switched to the local supplier enova Energy on a GREENPOWER energy plan for all electricity needs not covered by the on premises solar system.

  5. Carbon Footprint offsetting for 10.5t of CO2 per year purchased through Trace.

  6. Active reduction in print usage, office stationary, lighting and transport for business.

  7. Internet searches switched from Google to Ecosia which helps plant trees using advertising revenue from internet searches. This year Pete Adams Design has made enough searches to plant approx. 6 trees!

 

THE NEXT STEPS -

Share the process and message, and connect with like-minded businesses to spread ideas and sustainable work practices.

Work alongside more sustainably certified businesses and pioneers in the field.

Increase carbon offsetting while reducing carbon footprint to achieve a carbon positive status.

Install a skylight to the studio to further reduce electricity lighting needs.