LEADERSHIP
NET ZERO
How to work towards being a net zero business
G
Net zero is the holy grail of sustainability, but achieving it is not easy, or cheap
oing green is all the rage, and businesses of all
WHAT DOES ‘NET ZERO’ REALLY MEAN?
shapes and sizes are seeking to reduce their
Putting it simply, ‘net zero’ means fewer greenhouse gasses are being
impact on the environment. Some started their
added to the atmosphere than are being taken out so, if the UK is adding
sustainability journeys under their own steam,
a billion tonnes of CO2 to the environment but, through other projects, is
while others are being pushed towards it in
removing a billion or more, then we’re at net zero.
order to achieve standards or maintain compliance. In 2019 the UK government committed to reducing the nation’s
For businesses, the government categorises emissions in three tiers. Scope 1 emissions are those which the company makes directly, for
net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% by 2050 - that might
example by running vehicles, machinery, and boilers for heating. Scope
seem a long way off, but all that time will need to be used wisely if we
2 are indirect emissions, such as when the electricity it uses is being
are to reach this ambitious ‘net zero’ goal.
produced. And Scope 3 are the emissions indirectly associated with the
[18] MAY 2023
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