When a company says they’re ‘net carbon neutral’, it means they’ve reduced the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as much as they can – and have used ‘carbon offsetting’ for the rest.
In a nutshell:
- Carbon neutral companies reduce carbon emissions as much as possible – and use carbon offsetting for the rest
- Carbon offsetting invests in carbon reduction projects – usually by purchasing ‘carbon credits’
- Becoming carbon neutral can save companies money and enhance their reputation
- PAS 2060 verification is the benchmark for carbon neutrality
- For carbon reduction, offsetting and certification, it’s best to engage with third-party specialists
The ultimate aim is to become ‘net zero carbon’. To become ‘net zero’ full stop, the list is expanded to include the other greenhouse gases (such as methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons) that make up about 24% of global emissions.
For a company such as Maple, there are many ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released – becoming more energy efficient, cutting down on waste, and reducing the amount of travel are just some. For other companies, using our solar screening, rainscreen cladding and façade products can help reduce their carbon footprint.
For what’s left, carbon offsetting may involve investing in renewable energy projects, tree-planting or other activities that remove carbon from the atmosphere. The most common way to invest in these projects is to purchase ‘carbon credits’ – tradeable units that represent a certain amount of emissions.
Why become carbon neutral?
Firstly, because it’s the right thing to do – reducing carbon emissions is the only way to tackle the global climate crisis. Secondly, saving energy and reducing waste can also save businesses money. Finally, being verified carbon neutral is great for a company’s reputation. ‘Verified’ is the key word here: companies that can’t back up talk with action, risk being accused of ‘greenwashing’.
What is ‘verified carbon neutral’?
It’s not enough to say you’re on a journey to becoming net zero; companies need to prove it – typically through a BSI PAS 2060 carbon neutral certificate. But if gaining PAS 2060 verification or trading in carbon credits seems daunting, it’s best to engage with third-party specialists.
Submit new questions
Would you like to see your questions answered? Submit them to us and we'll let you know when we've found the answer.