The accepted standard is that Net zero means cutting your business greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% of total emissions with the final 10% or less of residual emissions being verifiably removed from the atmosphere and stored. Using your most recent carbon audit data you will need to determine how much more reductions can be achieved through cuts in Scope 2 and 3 emissions. By this stage you should have already eliminated Scope 1 emissions.

Reaching net-zero requires careful measurement, planning and setting recognised science based targets. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses and financial institutions to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with climate science. Read their Corporate Net-Zero Standard for more information >>

As a rule, Scope 3 emissions accounts for the majority of your total greenhouse gas emissions. It is also the emissions category that can prove the most difficult to eliminate. Isolate and identify as many of the scope 3 emission sources as possible. You will need to consider measures to encourage suppliers to reduce their emissions or consider better performing alternatives. Identify and consider changes to delivery, product design and operation changes to reduce upstream emissions.

Carbon offsets can be a complex and hard to verify sector. Should you wish to purchase carbon credits or invest directly in forestry options, you should carefully vet the projects and be sure their claims are valid and long term. An alternative option is to install more renewable energy capacity (solar, wind, hydro) than your business uses. By selling that excess energy capacity back to the grid, you can reduce the total energy related fossil fuel emissions on the national grid. The resulting greenhouse gas savings can be set against your outstanding emissions balance. Alternatively, invest in a community renewable energy scheme, locally or internationally, and offset your proportion against outstanding emissions.