The carbon calculator tool, from Green Economy and GM Business Growth Hub, has been developed on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), using funding provided by the city-region’s UKSPF allocation.
A statement said that it is primarily for SMEs and not-for-profit organisations who are at an early stage of their carbon reduction journey but can also be used by larger businesses looking to reaffirm or tweak their existing plans.
The tool simplifies how businesses understand their consumption of energy, fuel and materials by calculating their C02e, it noted, providing a baseline to understand where their big emissions are and to track progress as they reduce their environmental impact.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “More businesses now understand the need to measure their own carbon footprint as they look to reduce emissions and costs, which is positive news for Greater Manchester’s target of becoming a carbon neutral city-region by 2038. This new tool from Green Economy is the perfect first step for any business at the start of that journey.”
The carbon tool has also been welcomed by the Greater Manchester Business Board.
Steve Connor, green lead for Greater Manchester Business Board, said: “This tool is a vital resource in helping us in our mission to make Greater Manchester the easiest place to become a net zero business.
“With fully funded support from GM Business Growth Hub and with expert advice from the Bee Net Zero partnership, SMEs can not only measure and report on their carbon footprint, but also can start to take action to reduce their emissions and energy bills too, which will benefit productivity as well as the environment.”
Businesses can use the carbon calculator to measure their footprint going back five years to show how usage has changed over time as well as measuring the impact of fluctuations in energy prices.
The full report, generated by the tool, will also offer recommendations and opportunities to reduce carbon impacts as well as signposting available resources through Green Economy and the Hub, including a Marketplace for finding low carbon suppliers.