The Difficulty Businesses are Facing in the Race to Net Zero

The pressure to reach Net Zero targets by 2030 can feel pressuring for many businesses that don’t know where to begin.

We’ve looked into some of the hurdles and how you can rapidly make pace with them.

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Introduction

Nearly every customer now wants to purchase from a company that puts the planet first. 

92% of consumers have said that they want companies to make more sustainable decisions. And have even shown a willingness to pay more for these eco-friendly services. The consciousness of our decisions and the impact they have is now an important part of brand identity. In fact, it is now critical that brands start to address the ways in which they can become more sustainable.

The Switch to Sustainability

With the climate crisis heading full throttle towards us, it’s no surprise that people have started to pay attention to the way we treat the planet. Purchasing from companies that aid both social and environmental causes has become a strong trend we can no longer ignore. 

Marketing surrounding ‘the cause for nature’ has become a sturdy foundation for increasing sales and expanding a brand’s community. Additionally, the input from social media and eco-influencers has meant sustainable living and environment-focused companies have become popular- especially amongst younger generations.

Why Should Organisations Be Sustainable?

Companies that market sustainability are providing real-life solutions to serious global issues. Simultaneously, they continue to maximise profit for their business. With an effective plan and tactic, your business can not only protect the environment, but also generate conspicuous revenue. This shows that the demand for sustainable products has become more than just a trend. People are now actively looking for viable solutions to climate change that will benefit the planet in the long run. 

The need to protect the planet and its resources is far superior to generating profit, mass-manufacturing, and even the demand from consumers. Without the planet, no business is able to function. With that in mind, the call for business to go green is no longer a trend, it’s a necessity.

Knowing Where To Begin

For companies that have never reviewed their carbon footprint, or simply don’t know where to start, sustainability can feel like a challenge that is more intimidating than it needs to be.

Here are just some of the ways business can effectively nd reducing their carbon footprint and start protecting the planet:

Growing Your Sustainability Long-Term

Deciding which areas you want to improve your sustainability is the easiest, and probably most exciting part of starting your sustainability journey. But how do you make sure these efforts remain sustainable over time?

Some of the ways you can remain sustainable is by working with like-minded brands and businesses that specialise in areas such as carbon offsets, clean energy, or conservation. If you choose to engage with a carbon offsetting scheme, make sure that the suppliers of your credits are verified. This will ensure you are making the right decisions for the planet when investing in your chosen suppliers. 

Other areas to review include looking into your supply chain practices. The easiest way to continue on your sustainable pathway is to regularly review the ways in which you can reduce your emissions.

For example: you could partner with a green energy supplier that will keep track of how eco-friendly your energy usage is. 

You can also work with charities or conservation partners whose stories you can share on social media or your website. You can use climate action platforms that assist your business in meeting your sustainable development goals. 

Such platforms could be a tree planting organisation that helps you to plant trees with very order. Or work with a platform like One Tribe that connects you to conservation projects all over the world while simultaneously lowering your carbon footprint.

The Role of Carbon Credits

Carbon Credits

Carbon Credits have become a popular option for businesses to offset their remaining emissions. What carbon credits effectively allow you to do is offset a businesses carbon emissions by removing them from the atmosphere. How? The money used to purchase credits funds climate technologies and conservation projects that can reduce large volumes of emissions produced by businesses. 

They are a  great option to help companies offset their carbon footprint, and enable the financing of climate action projects. Nature-based offsets also support the sequestration of carbon using natural methods. The result of which can support indigenous communities, protect wildlife, and support delicate ecosystems found within large forests and the ocean.

Once your business has taken the necessary steps to reduce its emissions, you should then look at purchasing carbon credits to offset the remaining emissions. 

It’s important that if you choose to offset your emissions, that you are doing so via a verified carbon credit standard.

The Race to Net-Zero and Becoming Carbon Neutral

A positive shift in consumer mindset means that over 90% of consumers are looking to buy from brands that are taking climate action. This means many businesses will need to think about their own journey to Net Zero, working towards being a totally carbon neutral company. For many, that deadline is 2030, but many are looking to achieve it in just a few years, to meet this demand.

The demand has come not just from a large number of customers wanting sustainable solutions, but governments and climate scientists who have confirmed we are no longer reducing emissions fast enough. Unlike recycling schemes and tree planting initiatives, the race to Net Zero calls for a total operations evaluation and restructure. 

One where all elements and operations of a business are made to become sustainable. The pressure can be daunting for many companies, but with the correct guidance from experts, your business can effectively start making positive changes.

Summary

Above are some of the challenges businesses are facing in the current race to Net Zero. To combat them, we must stay vigilant in our efforts to become more sustainable. 

Businesses are responsible for over 70% of the world’s total emissions and our time to take action has become limited. The great news is carbon providers now have the means to enable any business to take action and effectively achieve Net Zero. 

From SMEs to household brands, any business can buy credits, take direct climate action, and reduce their emissions within their businesses. In the process, they are able to meet the expectations of new customers whilst protecting the planet. 

To learn more about how your business can become more sustainable, visit our website and figure out how you can begin taking climate action.

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