Understanding where your business produces greenhouse gas emissions, and planning to address them, is important. This page provides additional guidance on setting ‘science-based’ targets, preparing for net zero and reporting on progress.
By 2050 the Government has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions. This means removing almost all emissions from business. It is necessary to start planning now for the renewable energy and low carbon supply chain your company will use in the future.
- Set ‘science-based’ net-zero targets to reduce your emissions consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
- Report regularly on your progress. Customers and investors are demanding more transparency from businesses in reporting what they are doing to reduce their impact on climate change.
- Consider product or service innovation for sustainability. A transition to a circular economy offers the possibility of a sustainable alternative future and is a fundamental step towards achieving climate targets. This will also present opportunities in job creation and long-term sustainability.
- Plan for zero carbon energy. To meet our 2050 target of net zero, all aspects of our energy use will need to transition to renewable sources – that includes our electricity system, our manufacturing process, heating/cooling and our transport. For your business that means planning to stop using natural gas, coal, oil and all other non-renewable fuels. That will require each business to assess their needs, switching to renewables may or may not be possible immediately – now is the time to start planning that transformation.
The Government has a detailed plan to transition significant portions of the economy to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions within the next decade, and to prepare for net zero carbon by 2050. You can review the measures and actions that will be used to achieve this ambition, set out in Climate Action Plan 2023.
