How to Get to Net Zero

‍How to get to net zero, stage #1: Measure

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Step #1 - Identify business activities that release GHGs into the air:

‍As detailed in a previous blog post, make a table and group business activities across the three emission Scopes. Answer the following questions: 

• Which business activities are directly releasing GHGs into the air? These are business Scope 1 emissions.
• Which business activities are indirectly releasing GHGs through the energy that’s bought (from your energy provider)? These are business Scope 2 emissions. 
• Which business activities are indirectly releasing business emissions across your supply chain? These are business Scope 3 emissions.

Step #2 - Use Aclymate to track your business emissions:

‍Aclymate will help you complete step #1. Using your financial records (like Quickbooks) and most utility providers’ data, Aclymate can calculate the carbon footprint of your business each month. Aclymate gives you the information you need to conduct an accurate carbon assessment and to easily identify emissions under each Scope. 

Step #3 - Make the pledge to reduce business emissions and aim for net zero:

‍Use your current carbon footprint measures as a starting point. This is you before - a baseline you can use to track progress. Next, make the pledge to reduce business emissions by 50% by 2030. This is your first step on your journey toward net zero. Aim and plan to achieve net zero by 2050. 

Step #4 - Manage your data:

‍Use Aclymate as your robust and secure data collection and management system. Aclymate will help you keep an eye on your business emissions and will make sure information is accurate and up-to-date. Plus, Aclymate provides a central place for you to see all of this data, keeping you organized. Easily share this data with key stakeholders.

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How to get to net zero, stage #2: Reduce

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Step #5 - Think conservation, competence, and clean:

‍You want to reduce the amount of emissions your organization creates. To do this, think conservation, competence, and clean - as we explain: 

• Conservation: You want to conserve (save) energy within your business. Behaviors like turning off the lights when you leave a room, reducing business travel such as driving and flying, or better insulating your office space are examples of how you can do this.
• Competence: You want to use less energy to perform the same activities. That is, you want energy-efficient systems. E.g. switch to Energy Star-certified appliances. 
• Clean: Harness clean energy that comes from nature and is always available, like wind power. A simple way to do this is to purchase renewable energy.

Step #6 - Engage your supply chain:

‍Work together with your suppliers and partners to deal with Scope 3 emissions. Encourage eco-friendly methods, improve product design, and make transportation more efficient to cut down on emissions along your entire supply chain.

Step #7 - Engage your employees:

‍Foster a culture of sustainability within your business. Educate and engage employees to reduce their carbon footprint. Use Aclymate to support this step. With our platform, employees can view how their activities, such as how they commute, contribute to your company’s overall carbon footprint. Employees can view their personal emissions using myAclymate.

Step #8 - Evaluate your product and business model:

Evaluate your products and business operations to identify emission reduction opportunities. Explore ways to design more sustainable products and services, reduce waste, and minimize emissions from operations. Aclymate can help you find high-emission business activities so you know where to focus your energy and attention to make the most progress toward net zero. 

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How to get to net zero, stage 3: Offset and innovate

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Step #9 - Invest in carbon offsetting projects:

‍Identify business emissions that can't be completely reduced. To compensate for these emissions, you must invest in offsetting projects. Aclymate has a list of such projects, and we make sure each one follows the rules of offsetting. 

• Browse our marketplace and invest in a mix of projects, including clean energy, and projects that protect our wild places.
• Remember, most of our offsetting projects are approved by trusted groups like the Gold Standard, American Carbon Registry, and Climate Action Reserve. Projects that are not yet approved are usually based on new ideas and technology, and they're working on getting approved.

Step #10 - Stay informed of evolving regulations:

Stay informed about evolving environmental regulations to ensure your business is compliant. Advocate for policies that support net zero emission goals.

Step #11 - Regularly report your progress:

‍With Aclymate, you can regularly report on your progress toward net zero with our monthly emission reporting feature. These reports prove you're serious about your goals. Share your carbon footprint with your customers, investors, board members, and the community. Add these reports to your business sustainability reports, and use them to support B Corp and Ecovadis certification. We recommend you use recognized frameworks and standards for sustainability reporting, such as ISSB and CDP.

Step #12 - Innovate and continuously improve:

‍Encourage a creative and always-improving spirit in your company. Embrace new tools and ways of doing things that reduce business emissions and support the environment. Be ready to change your plans as we learn more from science, and find more efficient and cleaner technologies.

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By following this plan, you can check how well you're doing, share your successes, and adjust your strategies if necessary to reach your net zero emissions goal. Keep people involved, be clear about what you're doing to help the environment, and always look for new ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

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