Following the net zero process outlined below will allow you to commit, calculate, record and plan reductions in emissions for your business.

Whether you’re a micro business or an SME, the process remains the same.

Stage 1 – Make your commitment to future-proof your business

Visit the Business Climate Hub and make the SME Climate Commitment. In doing so, your business will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, and join governments, businesses, cities, regions, and universities around the world that share the same mission.

The Commitment is not legally binding in any way, but it does demonstrate your businesses commitment to:

• Halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030
• Achieve net zero emissions before 2050
• Disclose progress on a yearly basis

Stage 2 – Collect energy bills

Collect your energy bills (gas and electric) for the last four years - 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

Record the amount of energy used by looking at the first and last meter readings for each year. Then, if you have company vehicles, calculate how much petrol/diesel has been used over the same period.

The reason for getting four years of data is to ensure an accurate picture of energy usage as 2020 and 2021 were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 2019 is the best year to set your baseline emission on, however if you don’t have data for that year – you may be a newly trading business – this will be taken into account when projecting usage.

Stage 3 - Open the SME Carbon Footprint Calculator from the Carbon Trust

Visit www.carbontrust.com and enter your electric/gas and fuel volumes into the SME Carbon Footprint Calculator. A chart will be generated showing the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases your business has generated.

Stage 4 – Create your carbon reduction plan

You are now ready to populate your carbon reduction plan template (which is available to download here).

Complete the relevant fields with the data from the SME Carbon Footprint Calculator. Don’t forget to include any carbon reduction projects you have implemented, or plan to implement in the future. For example, the installation of LED lights, thermostats being turned down, or trackers in company vans/cars to ensure vehicles are using the most effective routes, etc, etc

Stage 5 – Contact the North East Growth Hub for support

If you need any help or support to create your carbon reduction plan, please make an appointment to speak to a North East Connector who will be happy to help.

For more information about net zero, visit the Net zero for businesses toolkit on the North East Growth Hub.