The first and most important step to becoming sustainable lies in becoming educated. It is essential to be conscious of one's net environmental impact before attempting to reduce it. This study's spreadsheet can be used as a guide to ballpark the costs associated with environmentally impacting activities. Coupled with reviewing some of the literature cited in this study, this knowledge can make an enormous difference to the environment and to business. Knowledge can then be spread to employees, investors, and customers. Simply turning off lights while no one is present can significantly reduce carbon emissions and the electric bill, for example. Developing corporate policies encouraging carpooling, recycling, or following CrownPeak's example in using reusable water containers rather than one-time-use water bottles can make a difference. Once maximal reduction has been reached, carbon offsets can be purchased to offset remaining carbon emissions. Carbon credits compatible with various climate exchanges can be purchased through such companies as carbonneutral.com and nativeenergy.com.

Start with impact reduction. Then calculate your impact. Then plan further impact reduction. Then donate to offset.

Here are just a few examples of places to donate. Please see our Resources section, where we discuss the pluses/minuses of Carbon Offset companies and organizations.

Please be aware the Environeutral.org is purely designed to help companies and organizations calculate their net environmental impact. We are not focused on rating or regulating the donations companies and organizations choose to make. We are not focused on helping companies and organizations to cut their impacts, although we hope our work here will help to expose opportunities in that area.  

With that in mind, please consider your offset donations carefully. In the Case Study, CrownPeak decided to donate their Carbon Offset dollars directly to a global organization aimed at rain forest protection and restoration, and their non-carbon impact offsets to a local environmental organization aimed at preventing and repairing damage to the local bay. Because these programs are often valued by employees, selecting where to donate funds each year is an opportunity for employee involvement.