Climate is what you expect and weather is what you get - Our climate varies in response to human activities (like adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere) and to natural influences (like climate cycles). Natural influences can cause the climate to vary above and below a baseline, but by increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, we are changing the baseline.  Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around the Earth. They trap warmth from the sun and make life on Earth possible. Without them, too much heat would escape and the surface of the planet would freeze. Increasing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causes the Earth to heat more and the climate to change. 

As Kiwis our wellbeing is closely tied to the outdoors, we love the beach, our baches and the bush. Climate change threatens our way of life, and we need to drastically reduce our carbon emissions to protect it. Achieving this future will require mass action by everyone, and we are already well on our way. People are using their collective voices to demand change. Businesses have begun  looking at their carbon footprints, and taking action to reduce. And countries like us have committed to delivering on a landmark global plan to curb climate change (the Paris Agreement).

The best way to assess your impact on climate change is to look at the carbon emissions linked to your business - measured as ‘carbon dioxide equivalent’ or ‘CO2e’. For many businesses, your CO2e will be mostly made up of Co2 but other relevant emissions like methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) might also be relevant. Most businesses start out by measuring all of the types of energy they use e.g. electricity, petrol, natural gas, and then using that information to calculate the associated carbon emissions. This gives you an idea of what the footprint of your operations is, and where you can try to reduce it. Many businesses also add in company travel (air travel is a hotspot) and waste into the mix too. There are many free online calculators available, but if you want to be extra confident about your numbers, you can go through  a certification or auditing process.  Another way to measure the carbon emissions related to your business is to look at the footprint of the products and services you sell to customers. Here you look not only at your operations, but also all the activities going on in your supply chain and the use of your products which emit carbon. This can be tricky, but it is the best way to show your customers the actual carbon footprint of what they buy from you.