With over 130 countries pledging to reach net zero emissions, we have looked at some ways businesses can adapt to help them become net zero sooner rather than later.
What is net zero?
To adapt to net zero, you must first understand what net zero is. Although there is no defined understanding of what net zero means, most agree that it stands for not adding to the amount of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, therefore helping to slow global warming.
To become net zero, the output of emissions of your business must be balanced with the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Unfortunately, not all emissions can be reduced to zero, but there are situations where compensation actions can make a difference, such as planting trees or carbon capture, which then creates an offset.
Climate change targets in the UK & becoming net zero
The Government’s target for net zero means reducing 80% of emissions by 2050. For this target to be reached, emissions would have to be reduced by 3% every year. The reduction of 3% doesn’t sound a lot, but in reality, it will take businesses a lot of time and effort to reach what they need to do.
The standout impact from the Government statement is that annual investments will be required to make net zero happen. This annual investment of around £1trillion will be required from the Government themselves.
Some businesses have been quick to respond to the net zero calls, creating ways to reduce their energy consumption and improve their energy efficiency across all their sites. But other businesses will take more time to fully understand the changes they need to make. To help these businesses, we have listed some aspects that businesses can look at to help the UK become net zero by 2050.
Create a net zero strategy
Assess the relevant data
The best place to start is always with a base of knowledge and understanding. Knowing your data is accurate can help you to picture where you are with your carbon footprint and where you need to be. Without collecting the relevant up to date data, the targets you set may be unproductive and unattainable. The relevant data will be easier to track and collect, and progress will be easier to see.
Create timelines
Once the relevant data has been captured and assessed, businesses should look at how long they want to focus on aspects of the plan. A clear roadmap with a timeline can help and keeping costs and time as the centre focus of everything they do will help create a clearer way to achieve net zero.
Adapt employee behaviour
Businesses will not be able to change their emissions without the help of their employees.
By engaging staff with the efforts and plans of the business, it will hopefully engage them to make some changes. You can find out more about how employees can help with emissions in our cutting energy costs article.
Companywide involvement
Alongside adapting employee behaviour, you can look at the whole company. Having the involvement of all members of staff can make a big difference. Coaching the senior staff to lead the way within the office can boost involvement across the whole team. Senior members of staff can be led by data and clear plans as it will assist them to pass the messages on. Clear messages will help the message of net zero to be passed around and seen as a good thing, rather than a chore to those involved.
Net zero can be achieved when a business is focused and organised with its data. Keeping informed about the Government’s plan can also help. Overall, a business and its employees need to stay focused and work together to do what they can to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
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