Earth Day 2025: Practical Steps Every Business Can Take for a Greener Tomorrow
As the world marks Earth Day 2025, the focus continues to shift from intention to action. For businesses, this presents an opportunity, not only to contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability but also to improve operational efficiency and demonstrate leadership in their industries. At ORS, our multidisciplinary approach allows us to support clients across sectors with integrated solutions. Our Sustainability and M&E team work closely with organisations to embed energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and future-proof infrastructure. Whether you’re at the start of your sustainability journey or looking to take it to the next level, there are practical steps your business can take today for a greener tomorrow.
Start with an Energy Audit
An energy audit is often the most effective first step. It helps identify where your business consumes energy, where waste occurs, and what opportunities exist for improvement. The ORS Sustainability and M&E teams have delivered audits for organisations of all sizes, from manufacturing plants to office developments, identifying energy-saving opportunities, from low-cost behavioural changes to large-scale capital projects. The result: reduced energy bills, lower emissions, and a clear roadmap for ongoing improvement. Grants are often available to cover the cost of having an energy audit carried out.
Track Your Energy Use
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Tracking your energy use is key to sustaining improvements and identifying further savings. Options include:
Monitoring tools not only provide visibility but also empower teams to act based on real data. ORS can design and deploy the right system to match your operational complexity and sustainability goals.
Implement Demand Shifting Strategies
Demand shifting involves adjusting the timing of electricity usage to off-peak periods when electricity is cheaper and cleaner. This can reduce operational costs and ease pressure on the Irish electricity grid, particularly during high-demand windows. Examples include running energy-intensive processes during night-rate tariffs and pre-heating spaces when electricity demand is low. This approach not only lowers costs but also supports Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon grid by helping balance supply and demand, especially as more intermittent renewables like wind and solar come online.
Engage Employees in Your Sustainability Mission
Sustainability succeeds when it becomes part of your culture. Encourage employee participation through assigning an energy officer, hosting energy awareness days, and implementing a swich-off policy for out of hours. The SEAI Energy Academy offer free online courses on energy management that would inform staff on methods and measures to reduce energy usage. Transparent communication about your sustainability goals and progress builds trust with both staff and customers. This approach not only lowers costs but also supports Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon grid by helping balance supply and demand, especially as more intermittent renewables like wind and solar come online.
Explore Renewable Energy Generation
Once your facility is running efficiently and your energy use is being monitored, the next step is to consider on-site renewable energy generation. Installing solar PV systems, for example, can help offset grid electricity consumption, reduce long-term energy costs, and support carbon reduction goals. ORS engineers can assess site suitability, system sizing, and payback periods, ensuring that your investment in renewables is both environmentally and financially sound. This approach not only lowers costs but also supports Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon grid by helping balance supply and demand, especially as more intermittent renewables like wind and solar come online.
Take Advantage of Funding & Grants
ORS helps clients identify and apply for sustainability grants and incentives available through bodies such as the SEAI and local authorities. These can significantly offset the cost of upgrades and make it easier to adopt greener solutions without straining budgets.
Partner with ORS for Your Sustainability Goals
As a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, ORS combines technical expertise with a collaborative approach, enabling us to deliver comprehensive, customised sustainability solutions. From concept design and planning to detailed M&E upgrades and post-occupancy support, our teams work in unison to deliver results that are good for the planet, and good for business.
This Earth Day let’s go beyond the promise and take practical steps toward a greener, more resilient future. If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with our team today at info@ors.ie or +353 1524 2060.