The Difficulty Businesses are Facing in the Race to Net Zero

The Difficulty Businesses are Facing in the Race to Net Zero
Krista Greenaway

Krista Greenaway

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

two hands holding a tree sapling
photo credit: Unsplash

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:

bullet point list how to start your net zero journey
photo credit: One Tribe

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

one tribe carbon credits for net zero businesses
photo credit: One Tribe

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

Carbon-Neutral
photo credit: volvic

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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Eric currently works as an independent consultant at the intersection of nature and climate, focused on catalysing market and non-market solutions to drive the just transition.

He previously was Head of Product at Earthshot Labs, supporting nature conservation and restoration projects across the global south secure project finance. Prior to Earthshot Labs, Eric led nature-based carbon project development for Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and founded the Carbon Cooperative, a global alliance of leading nature conservation and restoration practitioners exploring carbon finance. After serving in the Peace Corps in Mozambique out of university, he spent much of his 20s working in community-based conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa interspersed with two startup ventures as co-founder and CEO of a mental health tech startup and COO of a sustainable coffee company. Eric has a dual Masters in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Policy from Stanford University where he was a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a BS in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University.

Alan is a risk management thought-leader, superconnector, and FinTech pioneer. His mission is to enable an Earth Positive economy which includes nature in global accounting systems.

Alan is Founder of Generation Blue, a venture studio dedicated to planetary game changers powered by exponential technologies. Previously, Alan established Natural Capital Markets at Lykke AG, pioneering blockchain based forestry and carbon backed tokens. Alan has over two decades of risk management experience advising global financial institutions, and was a founding member of the RiskMetrics Group, a JPMorgan spin-off. Alan is an investor and advisor to regenerative impact ventures, including TreeBuddy.Earth, Regenativ, and Vlinder Climate.

Lori Whitecalf made history when she became the first woman to be elected Chief of Sweetgrass First Nation in 2011. She served three terms of office from 2011-2017.  

Lori took a two-year hiatus from leadership to expand the family ranch and serve as the FSIN Senior Industry Liaison. She was re-elected on November 29. 2019 and again on November 30, 2021, as Chief of Sweetgrass. Chief Whitecalf practises a traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering. She currently sits on the following boards: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, FSIN Lands and Resource Commission, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Council, FSIN Women’s Commission.

Tina is the Chief Business Officer for MLTC Industrial Investments, the Economic Development arm of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. She has a diverse background of experience. Having spent 15 years as a municipal Chief Operating Officer, 20 years involved in Saskatchewan’s Health Authority Board Keewatin Yatthe and 9 years with Northern Lights Board of Education. 

 

She continues as a Board Member with Beaver River Community Futures supporting small business development in her home region. Tina brings a wealth of experience in a variety of fields and many connections to the Indigenous communities of Northern Saskatchewan. In addition Tina holds a BA Advanced from the U of S, a Certificate in Local Government Authority from the U of R and is certified as a Professional Economic Developer for Saskatchewan and a certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED).

Tootoosis’ career spans 40+ years in HRM, political leadership, and Indigenous economic development, as a dedicated bridge builder and advocate for Indigenous causes.
As a key member of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) team since 2021, he develops strategies for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report and Call to Action #92.

He is a graduate of the First Nations University of Canada and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. Spearheading various community initiatives while serving as a Chair of the SIEDN while directing ILDII and WIBF. Founder of MGT Consulting Tootoosis is based in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory.

Cy Standing (Wakanya Najin in Dakota) has a long and distinguished career including serving overseas as an Electronics Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force, former Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation, former Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), past Executive Director of Community Development Branch of the Department of Northern Saskatchewan as well as an Order in Council appointment to the Federal Parole Board.  

Mr. Standing has served as a Director on many Profit and Non-Profit Corporate Boards, including serving as a Director for Affinity Credit Union with assets of over six billion dollars as well as IMI Brokerage and Wanuskewin and is currently a member of the One Tribe Indigenous Carbon Board.