New Route to Net Zero Standard launched

The Carbon Trust has launched the new Route to Net Zero Standard, a key driver in its mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future.

The Route to Net Zero Standard will support companies in the development and evolution of their action plans, helping to measure and manage their emissions, inform carbon reduction strategies, and align targets for the future.

It is the only certification that recognises an organisation’s progress on their route to Net Zero, acknowledging that companies in different industries, geographical locations, and facing diverse challenges, may be at different stages.

Companies will receive tailored support to increase their climate ambition over time, and guidance on how to align to science-based targets and best practices. The Carbon Trust has said that there are three tiers of certification: Taking Action; Advancing; and Leading, which recognises a company’s efforts wherever they are on their journey.

The Route to Net Zero Standard will be the first service offering delivered through a new digital platform, to ensure the comprehensive assessment is seamless and engaging, with custom designed interfaces. The platform will evolve to support companies with carbon footprinting, target setting and value chain analysis.

Ten pathfinder companies have already signed up to the Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard, to include Virgin Media O2, PwC, Sainsbury’s, Severn Trent Water and SGN, which will help to plan their route map to Net Zero and certify their progress to share with stakeholders.

Tom Delay, chief executive at the Carbon Trust, said: “Tackling the climate crisis is the most critical environmental issue of our time, requiring businesses to both act and collaborate to elicit change and achieve success. The new Route to Net Zero Standard will inspire and foster immediate and longer term action by supporting companies as they create and deliver on their roadmaps to reduce carbon emissions, certifying and celebrating their achievements as they progress. We are delighted to have ten pathfinder partners already committed to the new standard and look forward to our continued collaboration on their journeys to Net Zero.”