STAGE 3

Strategy Development

Creating a robust net zero strategy that focuses on carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and risk mitigation.

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STAGE 3.1
Selection of an Appropriate Emissions Carbon Reduction Strategy

We will assist your company in identifying the appropriate net zero approach that is compatible with your wider sustainability goals.

Companies are faced with a plethora of approaches to achieving net zero emissions, each with differing short and long term consequences to their operations and the environment. We offer guidance and expertise evaluating the different net zero strategies and how they relate to your overall sustainability goals.

Strategy selection requires a broad understanding of the nature of the polluting activities conducted by your business. A strategy can combine elements of emissions reduction, compensation, and neutralisation. Compatibility is key: your net zero strategy should fit seamlessly within your overall ESG strategy while also supporting the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Broadly, the five possible net zero strategies that your company could adopt are:

01

Replacing emissions reduction with carbon credits representing emission reductions

02

Replacing emissions reduction with avoided emissions

03

Replacing emissions reduction with negative emissions (e.g. sequestration)

04

Emissions reduction in line with science-based targets

05

Climate positive approach (i.e. a combination of #3 and #4)

For example, strategy #3 alone is generally not compatible with the Paris Agreement, due to an inability to globally scale sequestration. In addition, this strategy may be prohibitively expensive for large emitters of carbon dioxide (e.g. manufacturing). However, combining sequestration and emissions reduction produces a more affordable and scalable carbon reduction strategy.

STAGE 3.2 Setting SBTi-Aligned Targets

We will set SBTi targets that will influence your company to reduce the polluting gases it is responsible for emitting.

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a methodology designed so that businesses can set long term targets for reducing their carbon emissions at a rate necessary to avert catastrophic global heating. With respect to your current baseline, SBTi net zero standard carbon reduction targets will guide your business towards decreasing the detrimental impact your activities have on the environment. The boundaries of a company's target setting activities should align with those of its GHG inventory. Carbon reduction targets should cover at least 95 percent of company-wide scope 1 and 2 emissions. Following SBTi targets will ensure your business keeps pace with the global effort to limit warming to less than 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. Should you require SBTi consultation, we will provide you with support and direction to register and validate your targets through the initiative's platform.

sbti targets
energy efficiency surveyors
STAGE 3.3 Energy Efficiency and Reduction Planning

Through extended consultation and site visits, our energy efficiency surveyors we will identify where your business is wasting energy and generating excess carbon emissions, and develop a plan to improve your overall energy efficiency.

Eliminating energy waste and excess carbon emissions is crucial for reducing the harmful impact your business activities have on our climate. By consulting with you and visiting your business locations, we will use our expertise and experience to identify policies and actions that will substantially reduce the carbon emissions generated as a result of the energy intensity of your business. We will estimate costs and projected energy consumption reduction for all components of our plan for your business. Additionally, we will assist in identifying possible UK energy efficiency grants for your business to utilise.

An energy efficiency plan, made possible through discoveries in a full business energy efficiency audit, is a necessary component for Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) compliance. Within this phase of work we also assess the sustainability of your business energy supplier in order to make recommendations regarding reducing your use of non-renewable energy sources.

STAGE 3.4 Sustainability Training and Competency Building

We organise and deliver customised training programs to your employees to raise awareness about your ESG strategy. We will also train a team of sustainability experts within your organisation with full knowledge of environmental legislation and best practices for your industry.

Transforming your business operations to achieve net zero emissions will require commitment across your organisation and the development of new competencies. The most effective way to support the long term sustainability goals of your organisation is to develop skills and knowledge internally, through training and mentorship. A key element of this process will be the creation of an internal team of sustainability experts, who will act as the vanguard of your new sustainability strategy. Through a comprehensive knowledge transfer program, we will provide this team with all necessary skills and knowledge related to environmental legislation and best practice within your industry. We offer additional courses in: environmental report writing, ESG reporting frameworks, carbon accounting, as well as KPI and target monitoring. To augment our training schemes, we also identify external educational opportunities and certifications that will further enhance the capabilities of your sustainability experts.

Alignment of your staff with sustainability goals is important for ensuring buy-in across your company. We offer training to all of your members of staff to raise awareness about your business’ net zero plans and wider ESG targets. Our targeted training programs will also assist you in the promotion of new carbon reduction KPIs to management groups within your businesses. Our training can be delivered both remotely and in person, depending on the scale and facilities available.

esg reporting consultants
carbon emissions reporting
STAGE 3.5 Refining Your Existing Organisational Structure

We will advise your company on the far-reaching organisational changes that will be required to support your net zero goal.

The correct organisational structure is key to the successful transition of your company to net zero emissions. We provide expert guidance on how best to modify your current internal reporting and staffing structures to best reflect the elevated importance of sustainability within your organisation. We will assist your company establish teams with specific responsibility for sustainability and environmental policies. This process will build capacity within your organisation, helping reshape your structure to match the challenge ahead.

Governance has been identified by the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as one of the four pillars of future climate reporting. It is important that the governance structure of your organisation adapts to the increased requirements and expectations placed on it by climate change. We will promote the importance of appropriate oversight by your board of directors including allocation of board-level responsibility for sustainability. In addition, correct processes will be put in place to ensure regular and actionable carbon emissions reporting to executives within your company.

It is expected that your organisation will grow and change throughout your net zero journey, making it necessary to onboard new stakeholders and partners to your net zero strategy. An appropriate organisational structure will ensure that an ethos of sustainability is communicated to new members of your organisation from the outset.

STAGE 3.6 Develop Carbon and Energy KPIs

We identify appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) so that your progress toward net zero can be monitored effectively.

The singular object of becoming a net zero and energy-efficient business can only be achieved by successfully integrating multiple sustainability KPIs into your decision making process. As we work with you to define your energy and carbon reduction targets, we will also identify and further develop KPIs matched to your short- and long-term targets. Appropriate KPIs will help your business reduce emissions in relative or absolute terms; reduce its energy and water consumption; reduce waste and improve waste diversion, and influence environmentally-friendly purchasing decisions.

In the event that a KPI target is missed, we will provide assistance and training to your stakeholders and staff in producing a remedial action plan, to bring the business back in line with its sustainability goals.

energy and carbon reduction targets
monitoring carbon reduction targets
STAGE 3.7 Monitoring Carbon Reduction Targets

We will assist your company to develop implementation and monitoring processes which will strengthen your carbon emissions reduction strategy.

Effective implementation and monitoring of your carbon emissions reduction strategy is crucial for delivering your organisation’s sustainability goals. We will assist your company create a robust process for validation of reduction target performance so that you are able to best measure and report on your progress. In support of this aim, we will help establish a reliable carbon and energy data system and processes for data management. This system will produce analytics for dashboards and reports, generating new insights and solutions. Furthermore, regular monitoring using relevant indicators will allow evaluation of each business site with respect to the overall business carbon reduction targets.

STAGE 3.8 Develop Carbon Reduction Deliverable Timelines

We will perform a detailed analysis of your current carbon baseline to develop a realistic and achievable timeline for your carbon reduction strategy, paving the way for an ambitious net zero plan.

Reducing your business’ harmful environmental impact will require long-term commitment from stakeholders across your organisation. We will provide cost estimates and deliverables for all activities related to reducing your carbon emissions, aligned with the sustainability goals and metrics employed by your business. In addition, we will perform an assessment of the sustainability strategies of your industry rivals in order to contextualise your ambitions. The goal of this phase is to define a competitive and appropriately ambitious timeline for your business carbon reduction plan, in line with national and global efforts.

carbon reduction plan
sustainability strategy consultants
STAGE 3.9 Allocate Staff Capacity

We will support your business in identifying the appropriate allocation of human resources necessary to deliver on your sustainability strategy.

We develop a strategy to engage key stakeholders and employees to align organisational purpose, strategy, and business models. Develop a clear and transparent process for aligning the purpose and strategy, including which stakeholder groups to engage, and integrate this into the strategic planning process.

STAGE 3.10 Budget Allocation for Implementation

We advise on optimal budget allocation and financing options towards the implementation of your net zero strategy.

Well-guided capital allocation and investments play fundamental roles in enabling businesses to follow through on their net zero and energy efficiency improvements targets. We provide assistance on budgeting and guidance on financing options to support how your organisation will execute its net zero strategy, including investment and management of physical assets, infrastructure decisions, and energy procurement advice.

Green financing schemes exist to support businesses who invest in smart and clean energy technologies. ClearVUE.Zero, our carbon and energy management solution, qualifies for tax relief for capital asset investments schemes. This alleviation of costs for your business means you can invest confidently in our solution that facilitates your energy efficiency and carbon reduction strategies.

net zero budget
STAGE 3.11 Risk Assessment and Extreme Environmental Event Planning

There is an urgent need to assess and quantify the extent of the rising physical risk caused by climate change in so far as how much it has already changed, what will happen in the future, and how such risks are being priced.

Climate change is radically reshaping the environment, creating increased probability of extreme weather. Through application of a tested, rigorous climate risk assessment process, we can assist key decision-makers in your company in identifying new risks and opportunities. We perform short, medium and long-term climate projections for the geographic locations where your business operates to better understand any vulnerabilities in your activities. To this end, our assessment identifies relevant climate-related physical, transition, reputational, and legal risks.

We will benchmark your risk assessment against published examples from your peers. In parallel, we will highlight new business opportunities, including government green funding schemes, that can be incorporated into your business strategy.

We will also assist your business in creating contingency plans in the event of extreme weather events at your locations, including the possibility of:

  • Sustained elevated temperatures
  • Flooding
  • Infrastructure disruption (e.g. temporary power network failure)

The scenario-based approach to climate projections and risk assessment that we employ follows the best practice promoted by the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

STAGE 4 Formalisation of a Net Zero Roadmap

Creating a robust net zero strategy that focuses on carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and risk mitigation.

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The world is changing. Keep yourself updated.

Our breakdown of key moments and highlights in the ESG, climate compliance and sustainability reporting space.

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