Business climate neutrality plan

What is climate neutrality?

The pursuit of climate neutrality involves the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, a decline of 20, 30 or even 50% is not enough. Emission reduction close to 100% is necessary. - only then will climate neutrality be realistic. What does it mean? The company is supposed to emit the same amount (or less) of greenhouse gases, which it is able to compensate through various activities. 

A climate-neutral company must not only reduce gas emissions to a minimum, but also neutralize remaining emissions. This will be achieved through ecological investments that increase the natural absorption of the planet and appropriate technological solutions. These include afforestation and energy production from renewable sources.

What needs to be taken into account so that companies can make accurate calculations when measuring their carbon footprint?

Climate neutrality for companies is a huge challenge. First of all, it is a complex process that must be adapted to the specific nature and business model of the company. A problem that often arises at the stage of developing a climate neutrality plan is the accuracy of emission measurement. In order for it to reflect the actual situation, you must remember that the carbon footprint is calculated in three ranges. These are:

1. Direct emissions - combustion of fuels in energy sources, technologies and means of transport.
2. Indirect emissions arising outside the enterprise - related to purchased electricity and heat or cold.
3. Indirect emissions resulting from the operation of the company - including, among others: purchased raw materials, services or assets, waste management and employee business trips. 

What are the benefits of climate neutrality for companies?

Balancing the entire supply chain and controlling emissions across the board is an extremely difficult task. Will the efforts pay off? The benefits of climate neutrality for the company are:

• positive image of the company - concern for the environment affects the company's reputation and may also contribute to increased interest from customers and investors,
• savings perspective - the use of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency will optimize energy consumption and reduce the costs of its purchase,
• new business opportunities - climate neutrality will open access to markets where ecological solutions are a priority.

Achieving neutrality will help create a solid foundation for the further development of the company and is a way to adapt to the requirements of modern times. 

The path to achieving climate neutrality

The process of achieving climate neutrality varies depending on the type of company and its needs. Methods are always selected individually, but in each case it is necessary to perform the following three steps:

• analysis of emission sources - monitoring and documenting all emission sources,
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions - applying appropriate measures, such as investing in renewable energy sources,
• emission offsetting - offsetting remaining emissions through, for example, afforestation or recovery of wetlands.

This means profound changes for every company and requires an integrated approach covering all activities undertaken by the company.

Climate neutrality is the future

Climate neutrality is an ambitious goal that requires huge commitment. At Veolia, we are perfectly aware of this: the Group's strategy Veolia assumes achieving neutrality by 2050. We achieve it by changing the energy mix and implementing modern tools. Do you want to join us? Discover our solutions supporting climate neutrality. Veolia is a sales and trading center for energy, heat and energy efficiency services. Our offer also includes hybrid energy systems: we will select methods perfectly suited to the company's needs.