Hard ROI from sustainability comes from reducing expensive fossil fuel sources like Scope 1 combustion sources (natural gas, fuel, anesthesia) and Scope 2 (electricity). These efficiency measures are often already in your capital budgets. Metrics: BTU, kWh, cash, other.

Your energy vendors also have a carbon reduction plan. Many of them have rebates and credits for implementing energy efficiency projects you are likely already doing. Metric: cash.

According to Yale, your employees are wondering what is your carbon reduction plan. Engaging them in this work can give you new ideas from the front line, increase engagement scores and retain employees. Metric: employee survey.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides $400B to improve our climate. There may be programs available for specific projects. Cities and states may have their own programs. Metrics: cash.

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for renewable electric projects (Scope 2) and offsets are two tools to help your company become carbon neutral. RECs are tradable and can be sold. Prices for carbon offsets prices may increase due to global demand. A plan is prudent. Metric: cash from REC sale.

Companies have begun to market carbon reduction initiatives to buyers. Consumers of all generations, particularly younger customers, want to know how your company will not harm the planet and even help it. Could this resonate with your customers? If so, act fast. Metric: revenue, customer engagement score

Often utility expenses (scope 1 & 2) are treated as line items in corporate budgets slowly increasing over time and not worth examining. In this economy, don’t you want to know the savings opportunity? Metric: cash.