BrazilCarolina Paes (Nexio Projects) discusses practical steps to net zero
Embarking on net-zero goals is a huge step for any organization. We spoke with Carolina Paes, climate consultant with Nexio Projects, about the wide array of factors at play in implementing a net-zero strategy.
Companies and governments worldwide are committing to net-zero targets, aiming to balance greenhouse gas emissions produced with emissions removed from the atmosphere to combat climate change. That means organizations need to take a hard look at their emissions in order to understand how they can reduce them.
Measuring emissions
The first step in any journey to net zero is to take the temperature on the organization by identifying baseline greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions are divided into what are known as Scope 1, 2, and 3.
Scope 1 emissions are those that come directly from sources controlled by an organization; Scope 2 are indirect emissions linked to the electricity used by an organization; and Scope 3 are all emissions further down the value chain that are not controlled by an organization, making them the trickiest of all to address.
“Document and disclose your emissions data annually, including historical data for comparison. This transparency builds credibility and accountability,” Paes points out.
Setting targets and making a roadmap
When setting ambitious sustainability targets, it is important that they are aligned with existing climate goals that are recognized internationally.
“Net-zero target setting should be consistent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050,” notes Paes.
Organizations need to follow a comprehensive plan with short-term and long-term objectives, which can be adjusted based on how things unfold. Business leaders should put in place specific measures for reducing emissions, like switching to more sustainable energy sources or making changes in the supply chain.
In order to reach net-zero goals, there needs to be adequate resources allocated for these measures and various different teams should take responsibility for carrying out different parts of the plan. A lack of funding is often cited by business leaders as a major barrier to achieving net-zero emissions goals.
Implement and follow through with good communication
At the implementation stage, organizations need to devise concrete steps that will lead to the projected cuts in emissions. This will look different for different types of organizations, depending on size and the scale of emissions.
Paes suggests organizations “invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind to replace fossil fuels, as well as optimize operations and processes to reduce energy consumption and waste.”
Finally, organizations should be working to build trust and engagement by communicating to the public about their sustainability journey. Stakeholders – employees, customers, investors, and others – should be given updates in the process of reducing emissions.
“Achieving net zero emissions is a challenging but attainable process requiring dedication, collaboration and continuous improvement,” adds Paes.
A major challenge to the global shift to sustainability may come from the newly-reelected administration of US President Donald Trump. But though Republicans in the US may oppose climate action, the global effort to reduce emissions to near zero will continue on, with companies and governments continuing to aim for ambitious goals.
It is true that climate scepticism is growing in the US and that this may spill over into other regions, but places like Europe tend to be more steadfast in their committed to net zero goals. The European Union aims to be climate-neutral by the year 2050, a central tenet of the European Green Deal.
