Four things your company needs for a science-based net zero target

Companies are working to cut their greenhouse gas emissions
Picture of Rick Lyons
Rick Lyons

If we’re serious about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, the plans companies have for reaching net zero need to be science based.

This means they must be in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – namely to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

But what do organisations have to do in practise for their targets to be science-based? Here are four things to think about.  

1. 2050 Deadline

Companies should reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. The scientific community has clearly stated the need to reach net-zero global CO2 emissions by mid-century in order to limit global warming to well below 2C. To play their part, companies must do the same.

2. The right pace of cuts

The amount of warming we will experience is directly proportional to the total amount of greenhouse gases we pump into the atmosphere. So, according to the science, to have a 66% chance of avoiding 1.5C, humanity can only emit a further 420GtCO2.

For an organisation’s emissions reduction strategy to be science based, it must be consistent with this. To give a simplistic example, if you’re organisation is responsible for 1% of global emissions, you can only emit 1% of the remaining global carbon budget.

This cap on the amount an organisation can emit on route to net zero effectively sets the pace of emissions cuts. If you try and leave it all to the last minute, you’ll quickly go over this cap, or you’ll find yourself having to make impossibly big cuts in a short space of time. Knowing the carbon budget you have left, allows you set map a realistic trajectory to reaching net zero.

3. Net zero itself is not enough.

It’s not enough for a company to simply balance the amount of greenhouse gases they’re emitting with the amount they’re removing from the atmosphere.

At a global level there is limited scope for removing emissions – there’s only so much space to grow trees for example. This means organisations too must limit their reliance on removing emissions.

It’s reckoned that globally there will need to be a 90% cut in emissions, so a 90% cut in emissions is the ballpark target for organisations. Most sectors will actually have to cut more than that. The 10% of emissions remaining will come from those parts of the economy whose emissions are hard to eliminate, such as heavy industry and agriculture.  

4. All emissions within the value-chain.

Organisations can’t pick and choose which bits of their operations to decarbonise. It has to be everything. So that’s upstream, downstream and everything in between.

For more information go to https://sciencebasedtargets.org.

We believe that in order for organisations to tackle climate change, all employees must understand it, and all employees must know what’s required to address it. Get in touch to discuss how we can help.

24 Responses

  3. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend
    your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The
    account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vibrant clear idea

  4. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during
    lunch break. I love the info you present here and can’t
    wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how
    fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, fantastic blog!

  5. always i used to read smaller articles or reviews which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this
    article which I am reading now.

  7. Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue on the topic of this post here at this web site,
    I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at
    this place.

  8. Superb blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you propose starting with a free platform
    like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices
    out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions?
    Appreciate it!

  9. I feel this is one of the such a lot vital information for me.And i’m satisfied studying your article. But should commentary on few common things, The web site styleis great, the articles is really great : D. Excellent task, cheers

  10. Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and in depth information you present.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while
    that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Wonderful read!

    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  11. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and everything. However just imagine if you
    added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could certainly
    be one of the very best in its field. Awesome blog!

  12. Howdy I am so glad I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I
    was researching on Bing for something else, Anyways
    I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it
    all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time
    I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  14. Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe that this website
    needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more,
    thanks for the advice!

  20. I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content.
    This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for
    new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

  21. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my
    own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% sure.
    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

  22. Hal penting yang mesti anda pahami dengan bagus, anda sebagai anggota seharusnya lebih disiplin dalam memilih situs bermain poker
    online, apabila kalian salah menentukan salah satu tempat untuk
    bermain, banyak kerugian yang akan di dapatkan di dalam
    sana. Karenanya anda harus bisa memilih salah satu tempat yang pas.
    Saat kalian akan memilih web bermain judi online, lihatlah fitur yang mereka berikan, pastikan kalian cakap bermain dengan baik
    dan mendapatkan lebih banyak kemujuran. Dalam laman bermain poker online
    yang terpercaya banyak kalangan yang menggambarkan kalau tempat bermain judi ini
    akan senantiasa menyediakan daerah tanpa mempunyai kesulitan dalam bermacam-macam macam permasalahan.

  23. My partner and I stumbled over here from a different page and thought I may as well check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking at your web page yet again.

Share this post