Good Governance
Good governance in carbon management refers to the systems and processes that an organisation puts in place to ensure that its carbon reduction plans are effective and transparent. This includes establishing clear goals and targets for reducing emissions, accountability structures, and roles and responsibilities for implementing the carbon management plan.
Good governance is essential to the success of any carbon management plan for a number of reasons, including ensuring:
Carbon reduction efforts are well-planned and executed
Progress is being made towards meeting carbon reduction goals and target
Organisations meet regulatory requirements
Building trust with stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability around emissions
Good governance is guided by a coherent strategy, clear objectives, a shared vision, and an overarching mission to reduce emissions.
Key components include:
Committed governance: A dedicated team or individual should be responsible for overseeing the carbon management project and ensuring that it aligns with the organisation's goals and objectives. This team should be empowered to make decisions and take action to achieve the organisation's carbon reduction targets.
Values and ethics: The organisation should have a set of core values and ethical principles that guide its approach to carbon management. These values should be communicated to all stakeholders and integrated into the decision-making process.
Policies and regulatory framework: The organisation should have a clear set of policies and procedures in place to guide its carbon management efforts. These policies should be aligned with relevant regulations and standards and be regularly reviewed and updated.
Monitoring and internal control: The organisation should have a system in place to monitor its carbon emissions and track progress towards its targets. This should include regular reporting and analysis of data, as well as internal controls to ensure accuracy and accountability.
Risk and performance management: The organisation should assess potential risks to its carbon management efforts and implement strategies to mitigate them.
Transparency and accountability: The organisation should be transparent about its carbon emissions and progress towards its targets. This includes regularly reporting emissions data to relevant authorities and stakeholders, as well as being open and accountable to scrutiny of said targets.