Earth Day 2025

Earth Day, marked every year on 22 April, is a global reminder of the importance of environmental protection and collective action. It encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to reflect on their impact and take practical steps towards a more sustainable future.

This year’s theme for Earth Day is “our power, our planet”, with a specific focus on renewable energy generation. Transforming to a world where we are dependent on renewable energy will support society by driving economic growth, creating jobs and improving the health of billions of people across the world. However, it will also benefit our planet by supporting with combatting climate change, preserving biodiversity and eliminating our use of and dependence on fossil fuels.

Here in the UK, we have an aim to achieve net zero by 2050, with the government setting a target to become 100% zero-carbon generation by 2035.  It is important that we start to think about what we can do to reduce our carbon emissions and our energy consumption. Here are some points which will hopefully give you a starting point:

Start with calculating your carbon footprint

By measuring your carbon emissions, you can identify your key hotspots and understand where you need to focus your attention. This may be a scary task to take on, but start with your scope 1 and 2 emissions and work from there.

Avoid using what you don’t need

Have a think if you actually need it. What we buy takes a lot of energy and carbon to produce. It even applies to simple day-to-day actions… think about lighting, do we need to turn the lights on if it is a bright day? This is a quick and easy step to avoid using any unnecessary energy.

Reduce and use less where you can

Look at using more efficient equipment or smart designs where possible. This may be implementing sensor lights in our offices so we don’t accidentally leave lights on when we leave the room.

Switch to a renewable energy provider

Sometimes emissions are inevitable, and we have to switch the lights on. What we can do is ensure we are using a renewable energy provider to get the electricity we need.

Implement your own renewable energy

You may own your buildings and have the ability to implement solar panels. If you are in a position to be able to do this, have a look at what your options are, and start harnessing the planet’s natural resources.

Train your workforce

Start working within your organisation and supply chain to ensure everyone is upskilled on carbon and energy. Have a think about who needs to know what and provide training – your staff and supply chain will be your most effective route to change and carbon reduction.

Closing thoughts

If you haven’t started your carbon reduction journey, then hopefully this gives you a place to begin. We can all make a difference, and we need to start somewhere.

At Action Sustainability, we’re committed to enabling sustainable business practices that go beyond compliance. Through our work with clients, partners, and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, we’re already supporting organisations across industries to reduce carbon, upskill their people, and transition towards a low-carbon future.

For more information or to explore how Action Sustainability can support your organisation, please contact our team.