Carbon neutral or net zero emissions
The company certifies a net level of zero GHG emissions or carbon neutrality
About the data
Carbon neutrality, or zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere or fixed by plants, or by purchasing sufficient carbon credits.
The concept of carbon neutrality can be extended to include other greenhouse gases (GHGs) measured in terms of their equivalence to carbon dioxide (CO2e).
Best practice for organisations and individuals seeking to be carbon neutral involves first reducing or avoiding as many GHG emissions as possible, so that they then only need to offset unavoidable emissions. Neutrality is generally achieved in two ways:
Using only renewable energy, which does not produce carbon dioxide (this is also called a low-carbon economy, decarbonised economy or post-carbon economy).
Carbon offsets, by paying others to capture and store 100% of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere - for example by planting trees - or by financing carbon projects that should lead to preventing future emissions, or by buying carbon credits, which, in practice, are rights to emit GHGs, and there are a limited number of them on the carbon market.
What are the main differences between carbon neutrality and net zero emissions?
Carbon neutrality imposes a minimum requirement to cover scope 1 and 2 emissions, and recommends the inclusion of scope 3 emissions. Net zero emissions should cover emissions from all three scopes, 1, 2 and 3.
To achieve carbon neutrality, companies are not required to reduce their emissions along a given trajectory. To reach net zero emissions, organisations must reduce their emissions along a 1.5�C trajectory in Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Carbon neutrality certification is proof of an organisation's commitment to decarbonisation and neutralisation of the remaining impact by supporting environmental projects.
Some examples of certifications acquired by companies are :
- PAS 2060 : is based on the PAS 2050 environmental standard. It sets out requirements for the quantification, reduction and offsetting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from organisations, products and events.
- GHG Protocol, ISO 14067
The concept of carbon neutrality can be extended to include other greenhouse gases (GHGs) measured in terms of their equivalence to carbon dioxide (CO2e).
Best practice for organisations and individuals seeking to be carbon neutral involves first reducing or avoiding as many GHG emissions as possible, so that they then only need to offset unavoidable emissions. Neutrality is generally achieved in two ways:
Using only renewable energy, which does not produce carbon dioxide (this is also called a low-carbon economy, decarbonised economy or post-carbon economy).
Carbon offsets, by paying others to capture and store 100% of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere - for example by planting trees - or by financing carbon projects that should lead to preventing future emissions, or by buying carbon credits, which, in practice, are rights to emit GHGs, and there are a limited number of them on the carbon market.
What are the main differences between carbon neutrality and net zero emissions?
Carbon neutrality imposes a minimum requirement to cover scope 1 and 2 emissions, and recommends the inclusion of scope 3 emissions. Net zero emissions should cover emissions from all three scopes, 1, 2 and 3.
To achieve carbon neutrality, companies are not required to reduce their emissions along a given trajectory. To reach net zero emissions, organisations must reduce their emissions along a 1.5�C trajectory in Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Carbon neutrality certification is proof of an organisation's commitment to decarbonisation and neutralisation of the remaining impact by supporting environmental projects.
Some examples of certifications acquired by companies are :
- PAS 2060 : is based on the PAS 2050 environmental standard. It sets out requirements for the quantification, reduction and offsetting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from organisations, products and events.
- GHG Protocol, ISO 14067
Methodology
We will assign a" "YES" "if:
- The company declares in some of its reports that it has reached a net zero GHG emissions level and details the type of certification achieved and the verification company
Or:
- The company declares that it has achieved carbon neutrality and details the type of certification achieved and the verification company
Some examples of certifications acquired by companies can be:
- PAS 2060: it is based on the PAS 2050 environmental standard. It establishes the requirements for the quantification, reduction and compensation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from organizations, products and events.
- ISO 14067
This information can be found at any of the following reports published on the website of companies:
- Annual memory
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Sustainability Report
- Environmental Report
- Report on Carbon Footprint
- Non-financial information statement (EINF)
- The company declares in some of its reports that it has reached a net zero GHG emissions level and details the type of certification achieved and the verification company
Or:
- The company declares that it has achieved carbon neutrality and details the type of certification achieved and the verification company
Some examples of certifications acquired by companies can be:
- PAS 2060: it is based on the PAS 2050 environmental standard. It establishes the requirements for the quantification, reduction and compensation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from organizations, products and events.
- ISO 14067
This information can be found at any of the following reports published on the website of companies:
- Annual memory
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Sustainability Report
- Environmental Report
- Report on Carbon Footprint
- Non-financial information statement (EINF)
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Unknown
Research Policy
Community Assessed
Report Type
Annual Report
, Sustainability Report
, Code of Conduct
, Integrated Report
, Company Website