Net Zero Programme
No matter what stage in your net zero journey you are on, from setting a target to developing the strategy needed to get there, our six-stage Net Zero Programme can support you.
Join our movement for change
Learn moreOur commitment
The Planet Mark Net Zero Programme incorporates our core principles of comprehensive carbon footprinting, annual certification, effective strategy setting and employee engagement.
Our six-stage Programme builds on these core principles to enable you to set and deliver a credible net zero plan. The Programme aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard which delivers against the 1.5°C pathway global warming target set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Defining the baseline
STAGE one
Planet Mark Business Certification supports companies to calculate and reduce their carbon emissions, measuring Scopes 1, 2 and elements of Scope 3.
Our annual certification allows businesses to report their progress with confidence, engage their staff to drive change and communicate their environmental contributions with credibility.
STAGE two
Scope 3 Footprinting provides a rigorous measurement of a business’ material Scope 3 emissions, covering all other indirect emissions. (e.g., goods and services procured by a company, business travel using non-fleet resources, waste generated in operations, employees commuting to work, transport and distribution of goods, franchises and investments.)
Target setting
STAGE three
Robust net zero targets need to be authentic and ambitious but realistic. Ambitious targets will demonstrate the effort your business is taking to achieve net zero, which provides a competitive advantage.
Realistic targets help the company demonstrate credibility and transparency in its approach.
Once we help establish a complete baseline carbon footprint for your entire organisation and set credible net zero targets, we will help you communicate your commitment with tailored and authentic media support.
Action plan
STAGE four
Transparency is the best way to communicate your sustainability ambitions and achievements, drive progress and create a legacy.
This is a costed, robust plan that outlines how to achieve your net zero targets. Linking authentically to your business’s mission, vision, strategy and values, this Net Zero Action Plan should be published externally and be governed by an external body or auditor.
Once you have developed a comprehensive action plan to significantly reduce your emissions across all scopes by a minimum of 90% before the target date, prioritising rapid cuts of at least 50% by 2030, we will help you communicate the actions that will enable you to achieve net zero.
Governance and offsetting
Stage five
The path to net zero is not always linear, and adjustments may need to be made along the way to stay on track, or even accelerate ahead of targets as your business evolves. An annual independent review against net zero targets ensures realistic progress is tracked against your itemised Action Plan.
Stage six
The final stage to reach net zero, once emissions have been reduced by at least 90% of the baseline, is to balance any unavoidable emissions through accredited carbon removal schemes.
These schemes remove carbon from the atmosphere and permanently store it to counterbalance the impact of your remaining emissions. For example, soil carbon sequestration or seagrass restoration.
Once you have achieved stages one to six, we will provide tailored support to communicate your environmental contributions with credibility, authenticity and transparency.
Full services
Business Certification
Planet Mark Business Certification supports companies to calculate and reduce their carbon emissions, (Scopes 1, 2 and key components of Scope 3.), engage their staff to drive change and communicate their environmental contributions with credibility.
Find out moreAnnual Sustainability Energiser
Included in the Business Certification programme is an Annual Sustainability Energiser. This workshop is for all employees of a Planet Mark member organisation to understand their company’s carbon footprint and identify solutions to reduce emissions.
Net Zero Carbon Essentials
This CPD-accredited workshop, designed for individuals and teams starting out on their net zero journey, helps to demystify the jargon and understand what a transition to net zero means for their business.
Find out moreSupply Chain Engagement Workshop
By educating and encouraging innovation against the supply chain a company can help facilitate carbon reduction strategies across their Scope 3 emissions. This workshop gives an introduction to Scope 3 measurement, and a chance for the company to generate buy-in, collaboration and engagement with its supply chain.
Scope 3 Footprinting
Scope 3 Footprinting provides rigorous measurement of a business’ material Scope 3 emissions, allowing a company to set true net zero targets, aligned to Science Based Targets. Scope 3 Footprinting is a requirement of the Planet Mark Net Zero Programme framework.
Net Zero Masterclass
This masterclass is designed to upskill a busy leadership team in order to understand the global context of net zero and its impacts on business and offer an insight into what the company’s sector is doing in the net zero arena.
Net Zero Target Setting Workshop
Aligned to the Science Based Targets initiative’s Net Zero Standard, this workshop supports organisations in setting meaningful and achievable net zero targets. This workshop provides insight into what competitors and other stakeholders are doing around net zero.
Net Zero Action Plan Workshop
This workshop provides business leaders with the tools and knowledge to create the foundations of a Net Zero Action Plan governed by Planet Mark. Once the plan is complete, companies submit it for review to our certification team which will ensure key focus areas are identified, as well as recommendations for improvements.
Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
An end-to-end service offering companies support in becoming ESOS compliant – a legislative requirement for large UK organisations. Our expert team of lead assessors can deliver audits or assess reports delivered by other auditors.
Sourcing Clean Energy
This service provides your business with direct access to electricity generated in the UK from wind, solar and hydro sources that are verified by the appropriate Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs).
Net Zero Governance
Supporting organisations to make continuous improvements, our Net Zero Governance provides an annual review of progress against their net zero targets and action plan.
Offsetting
This service sources Gold Standard carbon removal offsetting projects covering both technology-based carbon removal projects and nature-based carbon removal projects, all of which will be UK based.
