The race to net zero is heating up, and the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent. Adapting your business operations to work towards carbon reduction, is a crucial step in asserting your position as a forward-thinking, sustainable businesses.
With plenty of organisations setting their own targets, it can be difficult to know where to get started when considering your targets. The benefits of net zero for your organisation are numerous, however we know communicating this can be a challenge in itself.
We’ve outlined why net zero should be a key part of your strategy, with our top tips for getting started with your organisation’s journey.
Why net zero?
Net Zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) you produce, with the amount of GHGs that you are removing from the atmosphere. Or, striving to reduce your emissions as close to ‘zero’ as possible.
Institutions all around the world are waking up to net zero. From China’s 2060 net zero target, Joe Biden’s recent commitment for the US to reach net zero by 2050 and the UK government’s recent aim to cut 78% of emissions by 2035.
How could it benefit your organisation?
When you think about zero emissions, you may also think about increased costs. However, this is not always the case. Renewable energy for example, is now the cheapest option and will continue to reduce in price as it is more widely used.
As more organisations consider their impact on the environment, consumers are becoming selective based on these credentials. Therefore, working towards net zero and providing honest and transparent reporting on your progress can really help to improve your brand image and competitive advantage in the long run.
The route to net zero will look different for every business. However, there are some key strategies to bear in mind that will ultimately set you up for success. Have a look at these 5 top tips to help your organisation get started.
Our 5 top tips for starting your net zero journey:
1. Establish key areas for improvement
Understanding which areas of your business or organisation produce the most emissions is an obvious place to start. For many businesses this is often energy production from offices or through operational processes and supply chains. A sensible starting point for improving your energy efficiency is by conducting an energy audit for different areas of your business.
2. Set your targets and commitments
Committing publicly to goals is essential for engaging with your stakeholders and consumers. Setting targets publicly allows for accountability and opening your business actions to continuous observation often leads to better overall performance.
3. Communicate with your stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement is a fundamental element that when under-prioritised, often prevents businesses from reaching their sustainability goals. Communicating your ambitions from the very beginning will give you and your stakeholders the best chance of working effectively together.
Likewise, conducting surveys and focus groups with stakeholders can help to establish potential issues and how best to address these.
4. Report your progress
The next crucial step is to make sure you are reporting your progress to all stakeholders. Over the years, there has been an increased interest in sustainability and ethical products and services. Therefore, reporting on your sustainability progress not only offers transparency but is likely to attract more business and potential investors.
Don’t start greenwashing. Make sure you are reporting both successes and areas that still need improvement. Being honest will resonate with your consumers, building trust and brand loyalty.
5. Drive employee engagement
Without engaging your people in all stages of your net zero journey, you will never be able to reach your goals. Ensure that your people understand what your targets are, why they are important, and how they can contribute.
The Net Zero Challenge is a tool to help you do exactly this. We have over 10 years’ experience in engaging people in sustainable issues and rewarding them for planet positive behaviour.
To learn more about how the Net Zero Challenge could accelerate progress towards your goals, please contact us for a free demo.