Why does your organisation need a carbon roadmap?

Governments around the world are taking action on climate change, with the UK helping to lead the way and this means business-changing challenges for companies and organisations of all sizes.

The UK government has launched its Net Zero Strategy, with the target of balancing out carbon emissions to be effectively zero by 2050 and has called on all businesses and organisations to play their part in ensuring that global warming is limited to a manageable 1.5 degrees.

At the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, the Chancellor underlined sweeping changes to the regulatory system and from 2023 most big UK firms and financial institutions will have to show how they intend to hit climate change targets.

This means publishing detailed plans on how they will progress to a low-carbon future and an expert panel will set the standards the plans need to meet.

Companies will need to go far beyond a range of short-term choices on energy saving and the like and will have to develop comprehensive  and integrated sustainability strategies that focus on both direct carbon emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions by suppliers and customers, and other groups (Scopes 2 & 3).

Along with that there is the need to deliver operational cost savings while finding ways to prepare for physical impacts of climate change. To say this is a challenge is a bit of an understatement, but companies that cannot plot out a path will face severe, and even terminal obstacles.

Effective and accurate measurement is key to the process. The right data will lead to correct decisions that will prepare the business for long-term viability.

Organisations now need to have a comprehensive carbon plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and satisfy the demands from a wide range of external stakeholders.

A full carbon plan should deliver these benefits:

• Shape business strategy, drive innovation and increase competitive edge
• Stronger reputation – companies that want to take climate action seriously are increasingly expected to set science-based targets to demonstrate responsibility
• Cost savings
• Increased investor confidence – financial institutions are increasingly factoring in carbon reductions in line with climate science
• Attract and retain staff – many people look for companies who have made a commitment to helping the planet
• Attract and retain customers
• Manage future risks – setting targets can boost resilience to future emissions related regulations.

Carbon Roadmap Team

Our desk-based analyst team can help your organisation understand your present carbon footprint and develop a road map to achieve your decarbonisation goals and ambition. The Sustainability as a Service (SaaS) experts provide a cost effective and flexible solution to developing your carbon roadmap.

What makes us different? Unlike pure carbon consultants we help you progress easily to the next level of detail. Our complete end-to-end process covers on-site audits, through to financing and project delivery shaped around business needs. We will also highlight beneficial behavioural changes identified in your carbon roadmap. This combined service approach will save you time and money.

Your carbon roadmap will include:

• A clear definition of net zero and the assumptions of the scope areas covered
• Use of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol which is the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standard for companies. GHG Protocol standards and guidance enables companies to measure, manage and report greenhouse gas emissions from their operations and value chains
• Based upon the Protocol and available data, we will identify the Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, delivering a total present carbon footprint for your organisation
• Outline the high-level actions necessary to move towards the target of being carbon neutral

Interested? Get in touch with us now so we can help you take the first steps on your sustainability journey.