The UK’s updated net zero strategy, “Powering Up Britain”, brings together the Energy Security Plan and Net Zero Growth Plan, outlining how the UK could “diversify, decarbonise and domesticate energy production” but what does it mean for business?

The deadline for ESOS Phase 3 compliance took place at the beginning of June 2024 and following a further consultation period, the Phase 4 compliance deadline will be in 2027.

Termed “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment” (WEEE), every year an estimated 2 million tonnes of WEEE items are discarded by householders and companies in the UK.

The new Labour government has outlined its commitment to clean energy, reducing utility costs for all, together with a focus on reinforcing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

The Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) was announced by the UK government in 2021 and launched by the Treasury in April 2022. The TPT published a Disclosure Framework for corporate climate transition plans in October 2023.

If you don’t measure, it could be a challenge to manage – and that maxim could be applied to a company’s carbon emissions. But measuring greenhouse gas emissions can be far from straightforward, which is one reason why the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) (1) was developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute.

What is environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy?
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a framework that helps businesses understand and measure their impact on society, the environment and how transparent and accountable it is.
Measurement of ESG criteria could differ widely from business to business

Net Zero Strategy
The UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 country, but more has to be achieved. The strategy advises that since 1990 the UK has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 44%, while the economy grew by more than 75%.

Power sources that are endlessly renewable are the holy grail for governments across the world and billions of pounds have been invested in research into fusion reactors. If and when the technology is developed, the problem of energy on Earth might well be solved.

Origins of “carbon footprint”
You might think that the term “Carbon Footprint” has been around forever, but it was actually made popular through an unlikely source in 2005, when oil company BP ran a multi-million dollar ad campaign, aiming to shift attention from the industry’s responsibility for increasing GHGs.

It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to taking action on your business’ carbon emissions. For businesses with multiple sites, this can be an even more complicated endeavour. Buildings of different ages, functions, and efficiency levels each come with their own specific problems and creative solution requirements.

What factors lead to biodiversity loss?

Deforestation through human activity such as overexploitation, agriculture, mining, conversion, infrastructure and unsustainable forest management leads to biodiversity loss.

Understanding Scope 3 is going to become crucial in the development of net zero plans, financial reporting and the culture of business over the next decade and beyond…