Across both business and governmental landscapes, net zero has emerged as a key status to be obtained on the mission to address climate change. As we move along in 2024, ‘net-zero’ has inescapable relevance to all businesses and governments – but what exactly is meant by ‘net-zero’?
In recent decades, sustainable practice has become an area of key importance for businesses and governing bodies – with talk of sustainability goals and targets more prevalent than ever before.
What does net zero mean?
Put simply, ‘net-zero’ is achieved when the amount of carbon dioxide added is no more than the amount taken away. So, net zero is all about balance. When a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere is achieved, net-zero has been reached.
In recent years, there has been a surge in the uptake of net zero goals across both governments and businesses. For the United Kingdom, the Government’s legal target is to reach net zero by 2050. This goal was set in accordance with the Paris Agreement. This legally binding treaty on climate change outlined its key goal as being to – ‘increase the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.’
According to figures released in March 2021, UK emissions are already seeing a promising decline, with a reduction of 48.8% when compared to levels recorded in the 1990s. It has, however, been acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have had a significant impact on these figures.
With these reductions in mind, as businesses, we all want to know what strategies and changes can have the greatest impact on us achieving our net zero goals? If your business is working towards net-zero targets, reducing your carbon emissions should be at the forefront of your plans. Carbon emissions can be reduced in a number of ways, including maximising the sustainability of your last mile deliveries in a number of ways. Today, we’re looking at what deliveries by cargo bike can do for you when it comes to net zero.
Why companies should use cargo bikes
For a long time, vans were the default delivery method for many businesses. However, with the growing prevalence of carbon-cutting initiatives and our increasingly congested cities, the popularity of cargo bikes is soaring. But what exactly makes cargo bikes such a good delivery solution for businesses?
Zero emissions with cargo bikes
In these times of sustainable innovation, businesses have access to a variety of courier solutions, each with unique sustainability benefits. For companies striving to achieve their net-zero goals, cargo bikes offer a zero-emission solution to deliveries. Fast, reliable deliveries are vital to the success of many businesses, so reducing the CO2 generated by yours takes vital leaps on the journey to net zero.
Reduced congestion with cargo bikes
For those based in our busy cities, congestion can be challenging to avoid – but how can your business reduce its part in the bustle? While electric vans emit fewer emissions than petrol or diesel vans, they still take up the same space, and can’t reach the same destinations as cargo bikes.
In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, cargo bike deliveries help reduce congestion in our cities. With less congestion resulting in lower CO2 emissions. Playing your part in reducing congestion not only helps work towards net zero goals, it helps the economy (£8 billion is thoughts to be lost each year to congestion), makes the city a nicer, safer place to live, walk and cycle, and of course it means parcels can travel more quickly to doorsteps.
Do cargo bikes increase customer satisfaction?
It’s easy to see your deliveries as merely a process to get your product from A to B…but how do cargo bike couriers enhance your customer experience? Often, customers will receive numerous parcels per month from delivery cars and vans. Cargo bike courier services offer a more personal feel to deliveries. Plus, it’s not just businesses that are striving for greater sustainability, it’s the average household too. Customers feel good when their delivery comes by bike – and a customer that feels good is likely to order again, and tell their friends!
Are cargo bikes an affordable solution?
Often, sustainable transport solutions get a bad name when it comes to affordability – but cargo bikes are different! Without petrol prices or the need to pay low emission zone fees, cargo bikes find themselves as a cost-effective alternative to delivery cars or vans. So not only do cargo bikes aid your sustainability goals, they help you save money too!
Sustainable delivery benefits for businesses
Business values take centre stage
In the modern consumer landscape, sustainability is no longer a second thought to customers – so why should it be to brands and businesses? Research from ReBound found 75% of respondents favoured brands who make their deliveries more sustainable.
Sustainability goals and values are no longer something businesses just tick off their list – they’re a part of who they are. For many businesses, commitment to net zero goals and sustainable practice is integral to their brand. Sustainable deliveries allow these businesses to reflect this through their direct contact with the consumer – giving customers first-hand experiences that reflect their core values.
Reduction in overall carbon footprint
In addition to foregrounding a business’ goals and values, opting for sustainable delivery solutions helps reduce the overall carbon emissions generated on a local and national scale. Often, businesses may champion ‘sustainable’ methods while taking shortcuts in their active practice. Commitment to sustainable deliveries keeps sustainable values at the core of a business both in principle and practice.
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