Decarbonization Roadmap Toward Net Zero
Improve your ESG performance by understanding decarbonization, tackling your value chain (Scope 3) impacts and advancing toward a net-zero emissions target.
Net zero is one of the most important ESG-related ambitions. Investors, industry experts, governments and NGOs, consumers and the broader public all have eyes on it. It is no longer a question of whether companies should aim for net zero. The real question is how to do it effectively and accurately because refusing to act may result in penalties, fines, and reputational damage.
Whether your organization is just starting its decarbonization initiatives or you are seeking support to achieve transparency in your value chain (Scope 3) emissions and advance your strategy, our sustainability consultants can help you along your decarbonization pathway.
You can only progress toward a net-zero target if you know your current emissions baseline. Depending on industry, emissions from the value chain (Scope 3) can account for the largest share of your company’s overall environmental impact and play an important role in a robust science-based net zero strategy. Since these emissions are not under your organization’s direct control, they are difficult to quantify and reduce.
Overcome the Scope 3 challenge and secure your company’s financial future with Sphera’s step-by-step guide to net zero. Our sustainability experts help your company achieve its ambitious decarbonization goals by defining a vision and system boundaries, quantifying your emissions baseline, assessing and evaluating emissions reduction options, setting targets, and translating them into measurable improvements.
Increase efficiency and effectiveness of your decarbonization programs through digitalization and automation of emissions calculation. Track achieved carbon reductions through SpheraCloud Corporate Sustainability software and using high quality industry-based emissions data from our world-leading Scope 3 database. Close the informational gaps in your net-zero strategy through the critical reflection such as scenario analysis, distance-to-target assessments and automated reporting, implementation and supply chain engagement.
Deepen Knowledge – First Screening – Define Action Plan
Together with our sustainability experts, learn more about decarbonization and net zero by assessing your current activities and identifying the most urgent, actionable issues, clarifying next steps along your organization’s decarbonization journey.
- Get a clear perspective on decarbonization goals and relevant standards: SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard and Science Based Targets (SBTs), CDP, Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
- Understand boundaries: scope of activities and carbon reduction versus carbon removals.
- Profit from industry-specific insights and best practice examples.
Assess Scope 1 & 2 Emissions – Quantify Scope 3 Emissions – Utilize Data & Tools
To define where your decarbonization journey is headed, you first need to understand where you currently stand. Establish your baseline by assessing emissions that are under your direct scope of influence (scope 1 and scope 2) and by quantifying your value chain (Scope 3) emissions based on physical attributes and reliable industry-based emissions factors. Increase efficiency and reduce calculation errors by implementing professional software solutions to quantify the carbon footprint of your organization.
- Discover emission hotspots throughout your value chain and identify the “low-hanging fruit” areas with easy-to-reduce emissions.
- Recognize focus areas in your value chain for a more profound analysis and long-term improvement activities.
- Spot knowledge gaps in terms of data accuracy and availability within your business.
- Underline marketing statements with robust data and transparency.
- Serve your customers’ requests for the carbon footprint data of your products.
Develop a Measurable Decarbonization Roadmap – Focus on Reduction & Evaluate Removals – Monitor your Progress
Consider your baseline to develop a decarbonization strategy and set a science-based net-zero target tailored to your specific business. Define focus areas for reductions and evaluate suitable emission removal measures, while keeping in mind the cost of different decarbonization options. Establish software solutions to enable cost-efficient and robust carbon management and recognize gaps to improve data availability and accuracy.
- Reduce environmental risk while simultaneously enhancing your brand by committing to a robust and ambitious emissions reduction target and developing a tailored trajectory toward net zero.
- Improve your business model in terms of emission sources, quick wins and long-term focus areas.
- Succeed sustainably and work on real progress by using data and facts for decision-making.
- Measure your progress with automated carbon footprint solutions integrated into your enterprise systems.