What is net zero?

Net zero’s the shorthand expression used to describe the commitment a business makes to reduce its carbon emissions to zero across its whole supply chain. It’s usually to support efforts to keep global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed in the Paris climate summit of 2015.

How can business help the UK reach net zero?

If we’re to avoid catastrophic climate change, then everyone needs to play their part. That includes business. In 2021, the UK business sector’s estimated to have emitted 65.1Mt of carbon dioxide. That’s 19.1% of all our CO2 emissions that year. So, if every business reaches net zero, we’ll be much closer to reaching our goals.

Why should businesses care about net zero?

Climate change is already affecting every single business in the UK. We can all see how it disrupts transport, interrupts power supplies and stops people getting on with their lives. It’s even caused schools and offices to close temporarily in extreme weather events. All of this makes it more difficult to do business. And unless we take action now, it’s only going to get worse. So it’s in your organisation’s own interest to help limit the rise in global temperatures. Net zero is one way to do that.

Read more about net zero and what it means for your business