HEROES

AT WORK

How employees can reduce carbon footprint in the workplace

You don’t need to be a CEO to make a difference

Whether you work in an office, hospital, school, shop or factory, you and your colleagues have the power to reduce your workplace carbon footprint and help your organisation move towards net zero.

This guide shows how employees can take practical steps together, influence decision-makers, and create real, lasting change.

Why Workplace Climate Action Matters

Workplaces are a major source of carbon emissions, from energy use and commuting to travel and supply chains. But they’re also one of the biggest opportunities for change.

When employees act together, they can:

  • Reduce their own carbon footprints
  • Influence company policies and behaviour
  • Encourage leadership to commit to net zero
  • Help build a more sustainable, future-ready organisation

Here are some practical steps you can take to be a hero in your workplace

Step 1: Build your workplace hero squad

Change starts with people. Find a small group of colleagues who care about sustainability and want to take action. You don’t need permission to begin.

How to get started:

  • Start a Teams, Slack or WhatsApp group
  • Invite colleagues from different departments to form a ‘sustainability working group’
  • Agree on a simple mission (e.g. “reduce our team’s carbon footprint”)
  • Use the Net Zero Heroes calculator to get a baseline and to set up your team dashboard (You will also earn a team builder badge)

 Tip: Even 3–5 people is enough to get momentum going.

Download your free
sustainability
working group
starter pack

Download your free guide

Step 2: Make your impact visible (and get the credit you deserve!)

Taking initiative on sustainability isn’t just good for the planet. it’s good for your career too.

Setting up a workplace sustainability group shows leadership, initiative, and a commitment to improving your organisation.

How to position your work

  • Tell your manager what you’re doing and why it matters
  • Frame it as a positive initiative for:
    • Team engagement
    • organisational success
    • personal development
  • Link your work to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to improving your organisations reputation

Step 3: Quick wins to reduce your carbon footprint together

Small actions, multiplied across a workplace, can have a big impact.

Energy and Office Habits

  • Turn off lights, screens and equipment when not in use
  • Use energy-saving settings on laptops and devices
  • Challenge “always-on” office habits

 

Food and Catering

  • Try meat-free team lunches
  • Choose local and seasonal options for catering
  • Reduce food waste at events

 

Travel and Commuting

  • Organise lift shares or work from home days
  • Promote cycling, walking and public transport
  • Reduce unnecessary business travel, use video calls where possible

 These quick wins help reduce emissions immediately while building awareness.

 

Step 4: Recruit more people with sustainability challenges

Make it fun. Make it visible. Make it social. Friendly competition is one of the most effective ways to change behaviour.

Ideas to try:

  • Team vs team carbon reduction challenges
  • “Greenest commute” leaderboards
  • Monthly themes (travel, food, energy)
  • Celebrate wins in internal newsletters or meetings
  • Use the Net Zero Heroes team trackers to run challenges

 

Tip: Remember these earn you hero badges individually and as a team.

Be part of the solution

Create your account

Step 5: Track your impact

If you want leadership to act, you need evidence. Start gathering simple, meaningful data:

  • Participation levels (how many people are involved)
  • Behaviour changes (e.g. fewer car journeys, less waste)
  • Employee feedback and demand for sustainability
  • Estimated carbon and cost savings

Data turns good intentions into a credible case for change.

 

Step 6: Influence your organisations carbon footprint

Once you’ve built momentum, you can start influencing how your organisation operates.

Energy and Buildings

  • Switch to renewable energy suppliers
  • Improve energy efficiency in offices and facilities
  • Introduce smarter heating, cooling and lighting systems

 

Travel Policies

  • Encourage low-carbon travel options
  • Reduce reliance on flights
  • Adopt virtual-first meeting policies

Procurement and Supplies

  • Choose sustainable suppliers
  • Reduce single-use materials
  • Introduce eco-friendly office products

Pensions and Investments

  • Promote ethical or low-carbon pension options – One of the biggest impacts you can have!

Tip: Leaders are far more likely to act when they see clear employee demand and practical solutions.

Start small. Work together. Build momentum.

You don’t have to wait for permission to take climate action at work. Show off your imitative and become a workplace hero.

Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but it can build quickly. And when enough people act, organisations follow.

Download your free starter pack with tips on how to set up a sustainability working group.

Download your free guide