25 July 2024: BSI has launched a new scheme to aid organizations in their transition to net zero, following the publication of research identifying a lack of clarity and guidance as a key barrier preventing many from reaching their net zero targets on time and within budget and in alignment with the UK government’s 2050 net zero emissions target.
The Net Zero Pathway provides a transparent and consistent approach through the use of international standards and guidelines published by ISO. It follows the key principles of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA42:2022) and is backed up with formal data verification and ongoing audits to help organizations overcome the barriers that are preventing them from reaching their net zero objectives.
The Pathway, published by business standards and improvement company BSI, uses an organization’s verified carbon footprint data, carbon reduction plans and consideration of planned business growth to evaluate whether targets are realistic, achievable and will deliver net zero by 2050 or sooner.
The scheme will be conducted over three phases, including an initial optional discovery workshop to help companies get ready to calculate their carbon footprint, including scope 3 emissions. Then the organization’s carbon footprint is verified against the requirements of the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standard (ISO 14064-1). This ensures that reduction targets are set against an accurate baseline which has been independently verified to ensure all relevant emissions have been considered, thus ensuring an accurate reading on an organization’s journey to becoming net zero. Finally, the business can implement its carbon reduction plans and BSI audit these against the key principles of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42:2022). Throughout this process BSI can provide other gap assessments, training, or certifications such as Energy Management (ISO 50001) as part of the process of getting to net zero.
The proliferation of various products and tools related to net zero has led to confusion in the marketplace due to the absence of a common approach, with research from BSI’s Net Zero Barometer 2024 showing that for 23% of organizations a lack of clarity on what net zero means and guidance on how to take action is hindering progress.
BSI’s research found that while the majority of organizations (83%) are committed to achieving the UK’s legally binding net zero emissions target, 92% say barriers remain in place preventing action. Gaps in internal skills and knowledge were also preventing organizations from knowing how to take action (19%) and only 15% said they were clear on how the offsetting market operates, suggesting an enduring knowledge gap in the overall understanding on how organizations can take action.
Matt Page, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Assurance, BSI said: “BSI’s own research demonstrates that the appetite to reach net zero by 2050 is there, yet nine in ten say barriers remain in place preventing organizations from taking action.
“Helping organizations to understand both where they are on this journey, and what that transition means for them, their supply chain and their stakeholders, can help bridge that gap and ultimately build societal confidence in the progress being made. The Net Zero Pathway is an independent process that ensures reduction targets are set against an accurate baseline that has been verified to confirm all relevant emissions have been considered. This is designed to build credibility in an organization’s journey to becoming and maintaining net zero status, and ultimately accelerate action on the climate transition to benefit people and planet.”
The BSI Net Zero Pathway is an overarching scheme which includes accredited verification against ISO 14064-1 and key elements from the ISO Net Zero Guidelines IWA 42:2022 .
The aim of BSI Net Zero Pathway is to provide credible assurance to ensure companies meet their net zero goals on time and on budget. As part of the Pathway, BSI use the company’s verified carbon footprint data, including current emissions, planned business growth, and carbon reduction plans, to evaluate whether the planned targets will achieve net zero by 2050 or sooner.
