Measure
Calculate the organisation’s emissions over a representative 12-month period, with a clear boundary and supporting records.
Set the direction.
Manage the transition.
A practical programme that connects carbon goals, business decisions and measurable progress.
Two kinds of risk.
One coherent plan.
Organisations need to prepare for physical climate impacts and for the carbon-related risks associated with policy and market change.
Flooding, heatwaves and other climate effects can disrupt assets and operations. Policy changes can affect costs and the viability of business models. Solar generation is one element of the response; a wider carbon strategy connects investment, operations and organisational change.
We help organisations build awareness, plan reductions and work towards defined carbon neutrality or net zero objectives. Those claims require clear boundaries, substantial reductions and an appropriate approach to residual emissions.
THE PROGRAMME
Seven connected steps.
Assess buildings
Check whether a Display Energy Certificate assessment is required. In England and Wales, this applies to relevant public-authority buildings over 250 m² that are frequently visited by the public.
Analyse the gap
Compare the position you want to reach in five years with the outcome if nothing changes. Use the gap to define strategic goals.
Set objectives
Set realistic, measurable objectives for reducing emissions, with responsibilities, milestones and a clear approach to any residual emissions.
Reduce and address residual emissions
Select suitable energy, operational and behavioural measures. Assess any use of carbon credits against the requirements of the chosen claims framework.
Manage delivery
Coordinate the programme, site benefits, risks and issues. Use quality assurance and regular audits to track performance and improve delivery.
Document and validate
Maintain the evidence behind emissions calculations and environmental claims. Agree the appropriate reporting and independent-validation route under the applicable current standard.
Check the government’s Display Energy Certificate guidance for building-specific requirements.
REDUCTION METHODS
Practical changes across the organisation.
Solar energy
Assess roof space and renewable generation opportunities as part of the organisation’s wider energy and carbon plan.
Energy efficiency
Turn off unused lights and equipment, manage heating, improve lighting efficiency and consider water-saving measures.
Travel
Review car-sharing, commuting and business travel, alongside vehicle choice and efficient driving practices.
Food and procurement
Consider seasonal and local produce, lower-impact menus, sourcing practices and the emissions associated with transport and production.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Reduce single-use items, choose reusable or recyclable packaging and improve waste separation and recovery.
Education and monitoring
Build shared understanding of emissions and reduction measures. Use energy and emissions monitoring to make progress visible across the organisation.
CARBON CREDITSQuality, evidence
Quality, evidence
and transparency.
Assess additionality: would the emissions reduction have happened without the project’s funding? Review independent verification, permanence, double counting and leakage risks.
Use suitable certified schemes, maintain clear records and ensure credits are retired in a public registry. The precise criteria and timing depend on the applicable standard and the claim being made.
Our earlier website referred to PAS 2060. That framework has been superseded; any new verification route must use the relevant current standard.
ISO carbon neutrality standardEMISSIONS ACCOUNTING
Understand the scopes.
Scope 1
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as on-site fuel combustion, company vehicles and refrigerant leakage.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat and cooling.
Scope 3
Other indirect value-chain emissions, including purchased goods, travel, commuting, waste, distribution and the use of sold products.
Carbon neutrality and net zero are distinct claims. The boundary and applicable standard matter; a complete emissions inventory considers all three scopes. Learn more from the GHG Protocol.