Steps and Strategies Companies Use to Attain Carbon Zero Certification

As climate change continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing society, more and more companies are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One way that organizations are doing this is by attaining carbon zero certification. This involves calculating a company’s total greenhouse gas emissions, including from operations, supply chains, and products, and then implementing measures to eliminate those emissions or offset them through certified carbon credits.

The path towards carbon zero certification may seem daunting initially. However, by taking a strategic approach, it can be broken down into clear steps that make the process more manageable. Here is an overview of the key steps and strategies companies utilize to successfully attain carbon zero certification:

The first major step is to work out the company’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. This requires collecting data on all sources of emissions and then using verification standards and calculators to quantify emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent. The key sources analyzed are:

• Direct operations – emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as company vehicles, on-site energy generation, manufacturing plants, offices, etc.
• Indirect operations – emissions arising from the generation of electricity, heat, or steam purchased by the company
• Supply chain – emissions produced by suppliers in the provision of goods and services to the company
• Product lifecycles – emissions associated with transportation, distribution, use, and disposal of products

Once the carbon inventory has been created, it needs to be verified by an accredited independent third party. This verification confirms the accuracy and completeness of the emissions data.

With a baseline established, companies then identify initiatives to actively reduce their emissions levels over time. Common initiatives adopted include:

• Energy efficiency upgrades to facilities, equipment, and fleets
• Installation of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar PV
• Transitioning to low-carbon transportation options
• Process innovations to minimize waste, water usage, raw material inputs
• Supply chain engagement to drive sustainability improvements up and down value chains

These initiatives help shrink the organization’s carbon footprint, making it easier to reach carbon-zero status. Companies set clear targets and timelines for emissions reductions in line with climate science.

After minimizing emissions in every feasible area, most companies will still have some residual inevitable emissions they cannot eliminate outright. These emissions will need to be counterbalanced through the purchase of carbon offsets in order to achieve complete carbon neutrality.

Carbon offsets are linked to projects that actively remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere. Examples include renewable energy projects, reforestation programs, methane capture systems, and clean cookstove projects. Companies invest in independently verified offset projects that align with recognized standards to offset their remaining emissions. The offsets must be fully retired or cancelled once purchased to properly mitigate the company’s emissions.

The final step towards carbon zero certification is enlisting an accredited external certification body to formally recognize the company’s net zero emissions status. Leading certification schemes companies pursue include:

• CarbonNeutral Protocol – an internationally recognized program providing CarbonNeutral organization certification
• Science-Based Target Initiative – helps companies set emissions reduction targets consistent with climate science
• B Corps Climate Collective – certifies B Corporations are taking action on measuring and reducing value chain emissions

Achieving third-party certification provides external validation that carbon-neutral best practices have been implemented based on current greenhouse gas accounting standards. Certification marks can be used in company branding and marketing materials to communicate climate commitments to stakeholders.

Once carbon zero certification has been attained, ongoing maintenance is required to uphold it over time. Companies need to recalculate emissions on at least an annual basis and have reductions and offsets externally verified. Any changes to operations or expansions into new business areas will also necessitate updated carbon accounting. By continuously monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions, companies ensure their net zero commitments remain robust, credible, and aligned to the latest climate science consensus.

The path to carbon zero certification involves considerable effort across greenhouse gas quantification, strategic emissions reductions, offset usage, and external certification. However, following structured implementation steps can be a highly worthwhile pursuit, enabling companies to lead the global transition towards carbon neutrality across our economies. As more companies join in taking action, it will accelerate broader market transformations, spurring further carbon-reducing innovations, strengthening climate-resilient supply chains, and lowering costs for other organizations to decarbonize.