The Need to Transition is Now!
Achieving net zero is essential to limiting global warming and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Businesses play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning to net zero is a tangible way to contribute to this global effort. Moreover, there is a growing expectation among consumers, investors, and employees that businesses proactively address climate change. Adopting sustainable practices and achieving net zero can enhance a company’s reputation, attract talent, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. A successful transition truly fulfills stakeholder expectations.
Transitioning to net zero will also help businesses manage their corporate risks and strengthen their resilience. Shifting to a low-carbon economy can help them manage climate-related risks, such as physical impacts, regulatory changes, and shifts in consumer preferences. By embracing sustainable practices, companies enhance their resilience and adaptability to future challenges.
How Can Companies Transition to Net Zero?
The transition to net zero, where a business aims to balance its greenhouse gas emissions with removal or offsetting, is crucial for combating climate change. To achieve this goal, businesses can adopt several effective strategies:
- Measure and understand emissions: The first step is to assess the company’s carbon footprint by conducting a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory. This involves identifying emission sources across the organization and its value chain.
- Set ambitious targets and goals: Once a baseline is established, businesses should set ambitious net zero targets and goals aligned with the science-based targets framework. These targets should include both short-term and long-term goals, which will drive continuous improvement.
- Reduce emissions: Implementing energy-efficient practices, adopting renewable energy sources, optimizing supply chains, and improving operational efficiency are key strategies for reducing emissions. This may involve investing in clean technologies and exploring innovative solutions.
- Offset or remove emissions: In cases where the complete elimination of emissions is challenging, businesses can invest in high-quality carbon offset projects or support the development of carbon removal technologies to compensate for residual emissions.
- Collaborate and engage with stakeholders: Transitioning to net zero requires collaboration with suppliers, customers, and other partners. Engaging with stakeholders through partnerships, sharing best practices, and promoting sustainable practices throughout the value chain can accelerate progress.
- Report and communicate: Transparent reporting on emissions reduction progress is essential for building trust and accountability. Regularly communicating net zero efforts with stakeholders, including investors and consumers, helps showcase the company’s commitment and encourages others to follow suit.
Microsoft has made a bold commitment to become carbon negative by 2030 and remove all the carbon it has emitted since its founding in 1975 by 2050.¹ The company is implementing various strategies to achieve these goals, such as shifting to 100% renewable energy for its global operations, investing in carbon removal technologies, and electrifying its vehicle fleet.
On the other hand, Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, has set a target to achieve net zero emissions from its products by 2039.² To reach this goal, the company is focused on reducing its operational emissions, sourcing 100% renewable energy, implementing sustainable packaging solutions, and collaborating with suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of its value chain.
Challenges and A Solution
Transitioning to net zero poses several challenges for businesses. Many businesses have complex global value chains, making it difficult to track and manage emissions across various stages of production, transportation, and distribution. Certain industries, such as heavy manufacturing or aviation, lack readily available low-carbon alternatives or technologies to eliminate emissions entirely. Additionally, the upfront costs associated with adopting sustainable practices or transitioning to renewable energy sources can be a barrier for some companies, especially smaller businesses. Businesses may also face challenges in navigating evolving regulations and policies related to carbon pricing, emissions reporting, and renewable energy incentives.
For many local and global companies, the lack of data and expertise is also a barrier to a successful net zero transition. Accurate measurement of emissions requires data and expertise, which may be limited or unavailable for some organizations, hindering their ability to set meaningful targets and develop effective reduction strategies. To improve data on emissions, it’s important to partner with an organization that has who has expertise inon business sustainability.
If your company or organization is embarking on a net zero journey, partnering with experts can provide valuable guidance and support. Basecheck Carbon Management Services is dedicated to assisting businesses and organizations in achieving their sustainability goals. Our team can help develop comprehensive net zero strategies, conduct emissions assessments, provide stakeholder engagement plans, and offer communication services to effectively share your sustainability efforts. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you on your path to net zero.
Attribution of original publication: This article was originally published by Drink Sustainability Communications in June 2023 and has been reissued through Basecheck, a subsidiary specializing in carbon management services, with minor editorial edits.
¹ “Our Microsoft Sustainability Journey.” Microsoft CSR, Microsoft Corporation, www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/sustainability-journey.
² “Our Climate Transition Action Plan.” Unilever, Unilever PLC, 3 June 2024. www.unilever.com/sustainability/climate/our-climate-transition-action-plan/