One Size Fits None: Bespoke Carbon Management
The best way for your organisation to address concerns about sustainability and carbon emissions is to implement a carbon management plan. However, there is no "one size fits all" approach to carbon management. What works for one organisation may not be the best fit for another, and it's important to find an approach that is tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of your organisation.
So how do you go about finding the right approach for your organisation? Here are a few things to consider:
Evaluate your data management system: To ensure the most effective approach, start by assessing your data management needs. Consider factors such as reporting requirements and build a system that works to organise your data in a way that simplifies your carbon management approach.
Understand your organisation's carbon emissions: This is the first step in the ongoing process of carbon accounting. Once your data is clean you can begin to build a clear understanding of your organisation's current carbon emissions. This will serve as a baseline against which future progress can be measured and will clarify which emissions can be targeted for reduction.
Identify opportunities for reduction: In our experience it is best to identify which areas of reduction will have the biggest impact through the creation of a Project Register and set realistic targets based on these. Once you have a disaggregated view of your emissions, you can plan to adopt strategies such as increasing energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable business practices, and more.
Set clear goals and targets: Once you have an understanding of your organisation's potential for reduction in emissions, you can begin to set goals and targets for reducing these. Crucially, this approach allows you to meet your targets and adjust ambition according to ongoing progress. Targets may be guided by Science Based Targets (SBTs) or Net Zero Targets, depending on your organisation's specific circumstances and sustainability goals. In practice, organisations can be informed by a combination of these to achieve the maximum possible reductions in carbon emissions.
Engage governance structures: Successful carbon reduction efforts require the commitment, support and engagement of key actors, including directors and employees. Key roles and responsibilities should be assigned alongside clear accountability structures. It’s important to communicate your carbon reduction goals and strategies to these groups, and to seek their ongoing feedback and input throughout the carbon management project cycle.
Monitor and evaluate your targets: Once these steps have been completed, carbon management and carbon accounting becomes a simplified process. A key part of this is ensuring ongoing monitoring and evaluation is undertaken.
Although there is no standard template that can be applied universally, the steps listed above will guide the creation of a roadmap that meets your organisations needs. By understanding your organisation's carbon emissions, identifying opportunities for reduction, setting clear goals and targets, and engaging stakeholders, you can develop a carbon management plan that sets achievable targets as part of a tailored, strategic, and holistic carbon management plan.