The first step to understand where to focus your efforts on your journey to net zero is to establish your baseline carbon footprint.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol sets the standard to measure and manage emissions globally and businesses aiming for net zero should attempt to cover all three scopes.

You’ll also need to set a baseline year from which to measure improvements and begin to collect data on identified emission sources.

There are online calculators and platforms that can help you get started. NABERS for office tenancies is a great tool to understand your scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Ultimately, a carbon accountant or consultant is your best port of call to help establish an accurate understanding of your businesses baseline emissions.

For most businesses, setting a baseline and net zero target, is a voluntary action. Certification and third-party verification is recommended if you are going public with your commitment.

CitySwitch Minimum Requirements

The CitySwitch net zero pathway includes actions businesses can take across all scope of emissions. As a minimum you will be understanding and taking action to reduce your scope 1 and 2 footprint. We acknowledge there can be a lack of awareness of scope 3, which happen upstream and downstream of your business. As a CitySwitch signatory there is an expectation you will seek to understand the most significant elements of your value chain and your associated scope 3 emissions.

CitySwitch provides guides and peer support to help you understand and calculate your business’s baseline emissions. We don’t provide a comprehensive carbon account. We recommend you use an accredited carbon accountant to adhere to the Greenhouse Gas Protocols.

CitySwitch resources are coming soon. Check back in a couple of months and in the meantime explore the resources below.