How Set Environmental Targets and Objectives in 15 Minutes

Setting environmental targets and objectives is an important step for any eco-friendly business.

No matter the industry, it is important to understand how your business impacts the planet and take steps to mitigate the negative consequences. 

Customers, employees, and stakeholders will appreciate your focus on sustainability. Plus, reducing your carbon footprint can attract more loyal customers, improve brand awareness, and save money. 

Learn how to set environmental targets and objectives in 15 minutes or less below! And take advantage of our special offer to save money on eco-friendly products!

What are Environmental Targets and Objectives?

Environmental targets and objectives are sustainability goals that you want to accomplish in the future. 

Objectives are general goals or intentions while targets are specific and measurable outcomes.

Setting environmental targets and objectives is an important part of being an eco-friendly business owner. Sustainability goals can increase profitability and help the planet. Some examples are below.

11 Examples of Environmental Targets and Objectives

Below are 11 examples of environmental targets and objectives. 

1. Reduce our carbon footprint 

• Replace 60% of all lightbulbs in our facility with LED lights.
• Work from home once per week to reduce fuel consumption.
• Decrease our monthly electricity bill by 20% this year by utilizing natural light and installing 10 smart plugs to turn our lights off automatically at night. 
• Hold two board meetings virtually and two in-person to decrease air travel. 

2. Conserve water

• Decrease water consumption by 33% over the next 12 months by installing motion sensors on all faucets at headquarters. 
• Review water usage quarterly with the leadership team and generate five ideas as a group to save more water. 

3. Reduce paper waste

• Decrease printer paper consumption by 15% by printing double-sided.
• Purchase paperless notebooks for next year’s annual conference. 

4. Use more renewable energy

• Install 10 solar panels over the next 3 years and use clean energy to meet 20% of our business energy needs.
• Install a solar powered alarm system and solar powered driveway lights

5. Eliminate plastic waste 

• Replace 100% of plastic cups with biodegradable cups and eliminate 100% of plastic water bottles in 12 locations by 2030.
• Purchase pens made of recycled plastic for our office to replace 100% of the traditional ones. 

6. Use sustainable packaging

Replace 50% of our cardboard boxes and with boxes made from recycled materials and biodegradable mailers.

Additionally, consider using custom packaging solutions that are both sustainable and tailored to your brand’s needs, further enhancing your commitment to eco-friendly practices.

For instance, introducing a sustainable shampoo bar for thicker hair packaged in biodegradable materials can further emphasize your brand's commitment to environmental responsibility.

7. Reduce hazardous waste

Increase our usage of chemical free cleaning products by 75%.

8. Comply with all environmental laws 

Write an environmental policy for our business.

9. Use recycled products whenever possible

Source 50% of our office supplies from manufacturers that use recycled products (e.g., pens made from recycled bottles, notebooks made from recycled products).

10. Be a responsible member of the community

Complete 100 volunteer activities next year. 

11. Safeguard the environment for future generations 

Reduce fleet petroleum consumption by 20 percent over the next 5 years. 

How to Set Environmental Targets and Objectives in 15 Minutes

1. Find Your "Why"

Why do you want to set environmental targets and objectives? Is it to help the planet? Appeal to a broader customer base? Align with industry standards and regulations?

Determining your why is your first step and it should only take a few minutes.

Time Spent: 1 minute

2. Determine Your Baseline

Second, look at your monthly utility bills. Determine how many kWhs you use on a monthly basis. Do the same for water and natural gas if applicable.

Also, look at receipts and transactions from gas stations to see roughly how much fuel you use every month. 

Use ballpark estimates for each of these items as a baseline for how much energy you use. 

You can do the same for other materials you use such as packaging, plastic, trash bags, and cleaning products. Understand the amount of supplies and materials you use and whether or not they are environmentally friendly.

This step should only take about 10 minutes as most of this information should be on receipts from recent orders and transactions.

Time Spent: 10 minutes

3. Identify One Easy Change and Write it Down

Finally, identify one easy change and write it down. For instance, if your business has trash cans you can start buying biodegradable trash bags instead of plastic ones. 

Write down one easy change in the “target” and “objective” format shown above. Once you have one it will be easier to think of more!

It is ok to start small. You want to pick targets and objectives that you and your team can easily meet to maintain morale. 

Time Spent: 4 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the benefits of environmental targets and objectives?

Setting environmental targets and objectives make it easier to take action and drive results. They can also decrease your carbon footprint, help the planet, save money, and impress your customers and employees.

2. How long does it take to set environmental targets and objectives?

You can set environmental targets and objectives in as little as 15 minutes depending on the size of your business! Remember, start small with simple changes. They can add up and make a big difference over the long run. 

3. Why is setting environmental targets and objectives important?

Because they increase accountability and get everyone moving in the same direction. If your organization doesn't have clearly defined goals then it is less likely that you will meet your objectives. Having measurable goals is the only way to see true change. 

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