Businesses, large and small, are increasingly committing to net zero emissions targets. You may therefore be wondering what the implications may be for your business and whether there is any support available.

What is net zero?

Net zero is a target where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by an organisation are reduced to equal the amount greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere (such as through carbon offsetting).

Why have net zero targets?

Following the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well below 2 and preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that for us to remain in line with a 1.5°C target we need to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

For businesses, net zero targets apply not just to operational activities but to emissions throughout the supply chain and lifetime of a product or service.

What does net zero mean for smaller businesses?

The requirement for businesses to assess emissions across their supply chain has meant that many smaller businesses are now required to implement net zero targets of their own. For smaller businesses without a sustainability team, setting such complex and ambitious targets can seem overwhelming, but there are some freely available tools that can help make it easier.

Essential tools for setting net zero targets

Here are the top 3 resources we recommend for helping you to set net zero emissions targets for your business.

The GHG Emissions Calculation Tool (GHG Protocol/WRI)

The first step in setting a net zero target is to know your current carbon footprint and set your baseline year. For this we recommend using the standards set out by the GHG Protocol, which provide detailed guidelines on how to measure your carbon emissions in line with industry best practice.

The GHG Protocol and World Resources Institute (WRI) have released a free, excel-based calculator tool to help you identify your scope 1 and 2 emissions (emissions from direct fuel and electricity consumption).

Download the GHG Emissions Calculation Tool.

Scope 3 Evaluator (WRI/Quantis)

While the GHG Emissions Calculator Tool will help quantify your scope 1and 2 emissions, achieving net zero emissions requires that you measure and reduce your scope 3 emissions (such as emissions from the production, use and disposal of products and services).

The WRI and Quantis have together created an evaluator tool that can help estimate the size of your scope 3 emissions and identify which category 3 emissions are most material to your business and will require more refined measurement and action.

Download the Scope 3 Evaluator.

Net Zero Tool (SBTi)

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), WRI and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – have developed a consistent standard for business net zero targets.

To support businesses, the SBTi has a helpful range of guidance documents and tools for targeting setting available from their website. This resource includes the criteria for setting Science Based Targets, Net Zero Standard Criteria, a tool for setting near and long-term science based targets, and the Net Zero Tool.

Note that for smaller businesses (fewer than 500 employees) there is a more streamlined application system – full details are in their FAQs for SMEs.

Download the Net Zero Tool.

Your pathway to net zero

At GB Sustainability we pride ourselves on helping to make being green easier for smaller businesses, so that we might achieve a net zero world by 2050.

We hope that you find the above tools useful. If you would like further help, or you would like to talk to us about how you can set a net zero target for your business, set up a free initial exploratory call with one of our sustainability professionals today.