Supporting your organization to progress towards a sustainable world
Pathway to certification: There are many sustainability certification schemes out there, which has led to a confusing market, and whilst most corporations are pledging net zero, few have a clear strategy.
- *94% of consumers said proper verification of a business environmental claim was important to them.
- *Currently, only a third of SMEs are extremely confident about reaching net zero, suggesting that more clarity about doing so is needed.
- *Consumers are keen to see progress, with 73% willing to spend more with sustainable organizations.
*BSI, Net Zero Barometer Report 2023
BSI's Net Zero Pathway provides credible assurance to your carbon inventory, methodology, targets, and management controls to ensure your company meets its net zero goals on time, and on budget.
The Net Zero Pathway 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.
Our Net Zero Pathway is not a standard; it is an overarching scheme. The scheme will be conducted over three phases, detailed below. Each element has an essential part to play to ensure you’re on your way to becoming net zero.
This scheme looks beyond carbon offsetting. Instead, it prioritises emission reductions, with off-set credits only used to address residual emissions where it is not financially or technologically viable to reduce them further.
The Net Zero Pathway goes beyond just setting targets, as the scheme includes annual audits and review of your progress against these targets to ensure they are continually being achieved.
This scheme is applicable to all organizations regardless of size or sector. Your organization's journey to becoming a certified net zero business will vary depending on a few factors.
Phase 0: Discovery Workshop (optional)
If you haven't begun to calculate your carbon footprint or have only considered your scope 1 and 2 direct emissions, BSI offer discovery workshops. These half day workshops help you get prepared for verification against the requirements of Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1), which includes how to consider scope 3 emissions, within ~6-12 months, depending on the size of your organization.
Phase 1: Carbon Footprint Verification ISO 14064-1
Every organisation must undertake a rigorous carbon footprint verification against the requirements of ISO 14064-1. This means all relevant GHG emissions are considered and independently verified, meaning your targets will be set against an accurate baseline, and thus ensuring credibility on your journey to becoming net zero. Throughout this journey, BSI can provide other gap assessments, training, or certifications such as Energy Management (ISO 50001) as part of the process.
Phase 2: ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42)
Once your carbon footprint has been verified against Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1), then you will create a carbon reduction plan following the key principles of the guidance set out in the International Workshop Agreement document, ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42). After implementing your carbon reduction plan based on the key principles of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42), you are ready for your net zero certification audit. Following a successful audit, you will issued a certificate showing you have joined the BSI Net Zero Pathway. We will then continue to review your progress against these targets during our annual audits to ensure they are continually being achieved on your journey to achieving net zero.
Why BSI?
Our Net Zero Pathway includes a number of key features which differentiate it from other approaches in the marketplace.
- This scheme looks beyond carbon offsetting. Instead, it prioritises emission reductions, with off-set credits only used to address residual emissions where it is not financially or technologically viable to reduce them further.
- The Net Zero Pathway goes beyond just setting targets, as the scheme includes annual audits and review of progress against these targets to ensure they are continually being achieved.
- The Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1) verification gives credibility to your data and avoids greenwashing.
- Following the key principles of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42) ensures that your carbon reduction plan will be based on best practice.
- The programme of ongoing assessment means that you’ll benefit from an independent review of progress to keep things on track.
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Resources
Access all our resources to help you on your journey to becoming net zero below.
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