Five tips to kickstart the decarbonisation journey

For organisations beginning their decarbonisation journey, a strong start is vital to build lasting momentum. Carolina Paes, Climate Consultant at Nexio Projects, shares five key tips to help spark ambition and set initiatives firmly on the right path.

1. Measure from the start

No decarbonisation strategy can advance without a clear picture of today’s emissions. A full carbon footprint measurement, covering Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant parts of Scope 3, will reveal where the biggest impacts lie.

Scope 3 is where many businesses find unexpected challenges. Upstream suppliers, distribution networks, and product lifecycles often account for most emissions. Tackling these early, even with high-level estimates, ensures action plans are grounded in reality and not assumption.

This step forms the backbone of carbon accounting and builds credibility with stakeholders who expect reliable disclosure.

2. Build a coalition of stakeholders

Effective decarbonisation requires collective engagement – achieving net zero is rarely achieved in isolation. Stakeholder mapping allows you to identify champions and potential blockers.

Invest time to understand:

• Who influences strategic decision-making
• Which departments drive the largest emissions
• Which suppliers or customers are critical in shaping carbon outcomes

This coalition-building is not about bureaucracy; it is about positioning sustainability at the centre of organisational DNA. When stakeholders feel informed and involved, carbon reduction targets move from paper commitments to cultural practice.

3. Set ambitious yet achievable targets

Targets give direction, but they must be credible. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides a framework to ensure emissions targets are science-aligned rather than arbitrary. A decarbonisation strategy that adopts the SBTi communicates a clear message to investors and employees: “Our ambition is real, not symbolic.”

The most effective targets are structured in layers:

• Near-term achievable milestones, such as energy efficiency and low-carbon procurement
• Longer-term net-zero sustainability goals, covering full value chains

This journey of ambition, supported by data, enables organisations to build a resilient reputation on climate leadership.

4. Integrate risk management into decisions

Climate-related risks are no longer abstract. They translate into tangible financial, operational, and legal consequences. By embedding risk management into the decarbonisation journey, businesses can identify vulnerabilities early.

For example, energy price volatility can amplify costs for carbon-intensive operations, while shifting regulations such as carbon taxes impose new liabilities. Mapping these risks during the early stages allows leaders to develop a proactive, future-proof decarbonisation strategy.

With these foresight mechanisms, organisations protect both their operations and their credibility.

5. Celebrate momentum through tangible action

The worst mistake at the beginning is to wait for a perfect plan. Decarbonisation gains momentum through tangible first steps, not elaborate strategies that never leave the page.

Introduce immediate actions such as:

• Switching to renewable electricity contracts
• Improving building energy efficiency
• Revisiting staff travel policies

Every action reinforces internal belief and builds external trust. These early achievements serve as proof points that cultivating carbon neutrality goes beyond the theoretical – and can be achieved starting today.

Steps towards the net-zero future

Starting the decarbonisation journey means realising that every significant transformation begins with a first step. By measuring emissions, building coalitions, setting science-based targets, embedding risk management, and acting with immediacy, organisations lay the foundation for credible climate leadership.

The destination may be ambitious, but with the right start, that destination becomes entirely possible.