The term ‘Net Zero Carbon’ means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with the remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere. Although it’s almost impossible to completely stop producing greenhouse gas emissions, the aim is to reduce emissions as much as we can and then re-absorb the rest (i.e. through tree planting or carbon sequestration) to become net zero.
Net Zero Targets
In 2019, the UK government decided to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions by passing a law for the UK to become net zero carbon by 2050. This replaced the previous target of at least an 80% reduction from 1990 levels. This means that by 2050 the UK will no longer be contributing to global warming.
Local authorities (including Suffolk and Norfolk) have also set their own net zero targets and are now striving to implement actions to reduce carbon emissions from homes, business, transport, agriculture and across society.
‘Net Zero’ vs ‘Carbon Neutral’
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but in fact they have slightly different meanings. Both terms mean that any carbon emissions are balanced out by equivalent carbon reductions, but they describe different ways of achieving this. In general, net zero indicates a more robust approach that prioritises reducing your own emissions as far as possible.
Two key differences are:
- What emissions can be offset: Everyone will say that the priority is to reduce your emissions as far as possible. But you can be carbon neutral at any point by offsetting your full emissions. Net zero can only be achieved when all possible reductions have been made before offsetting.
- What type of offsetting: There are many different types of offset scheme, and any of them can be used to attain carbon neutral. To be net zero, the offset must actually remove carbon from the atmosphere. For example you could use a tree-planting scheme to offset for both carbon neutral or net zero, but offsetting through funding renewables (which avoid emissions, but do not not remove any carbon) could only be used for carbon neutral.
Net zero is a more challenging target, but increasingly it’s the one being adopted by organisations around the world. We would recommend that it is better to set a net zero target, even if it will take longer to get there, as this is consistent with what the science demands. Carbon neutral targets can be used as an interim stage on your way to net zero.
Net Zero for Business
The Carbon Charter embeds net zero into its own award process, by supporting our members to develop net zero action plans and requiring our businesses to have a clear net zero target and action plan to obtain the Gold level award.
The net zero target has been echoed by other organisations like the UN’s global campaign Race to Zero, which rallies companies, cities, regions, and financial and educational institutions to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world by 2050. And the Science Based Targets Initiative is another organisation that helps companies set emission reduction targets in line with climate science and what is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Carbon Management and Reduction
To manage and reduce our carbon emissions to net zero, we need to:
- Avoid and reduce activities that cause emissions
- Increase energy efficiency, reuse, and reduce our use of materials
- Replace high carbon energy with low carbon or renewable energy
- And finally offset emissions as a last resort
While offsetting can be useful, it doesn’t stop emissions being produced, and so avoiding and reducing activities that create emissions is the most important aspect of carbon management.
What can my business do?
Your business can start acting now to reduce its emissions by calculating your carbon footprint and developing a carbon reduction policy and an action plan. You can then encourage your staff to get on board and then look at making your business more efficient.
Having a clear strategy in place with concrete actionable steps will give you the best chance for your business to reach net zero carbon, and by using less energy and becoming more efficient it can reduce your costs too.
Visit: First Steps for more information or contact the Carbon Charter team for support.
How the Carbon Charter can help
Accreditation to the Carbon Charter will help you to develop your strategy to reach net zero carbon. We will support you to calculate your carbon footprint and help you to develop a clear action plan with concrete, practical steps along the way. Contact the Carbon Charter team for support.