At NettZero, sustainability isn't just a statement, it's embedded in the way we grow, operate, and lead.

Our goal has always been clear, to minimise our environmental impact while growing our business responsibly.

That commitment is now backed by real data, meaningful results, and a proud new alliance with the ESG Literacy Hub, where we’re helping shape a more informed and action-oriented future.

Growing Smarter, Not Just Bigger

The challenge was familiar to many businesses: how do we grow sustainably while improving operational efficiency and managing costs? Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, we acted. We started with what we could measure and built from there.

Making the Invisible Visible

Each year, we conduct a full carbon inventory assessment across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, using internationally recognised reporting standards including the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. This forms the foundation for our reporting and decision-making.

We’ve taken significant steps, including:

• Achieving Climate Active Certification, demonstrating our robust approach to managing operational emissions.

• Aligning our Science Based Target with the goals of the Paris Agreement, to play our part in limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

• Introducing targeted operational initiatives such as:

  • Upgrading to LED lighting.

  • Improving waste data and working with landlords to improve waste measurement and management. 

  • Rolling out a green travel policy.

  • Shifting to 100% renewable energy.

  • Enabling flexible work to cut travel-related emissions.

  • Supporting emissions abating projects.

  • Deepening staff engagement to build collective sustainability literacy.

Weighing our waste: A simple way to get the team on board

One of our initiatives to improve our waste data was to create segregated bins and weigh them at the end of each day on some household scales. We tracked the weight of each bin in a spreadsheet and everyone in the team took turns gathering the data. It was a great way to get buy-in from the whole team and to build a picture of our waste usage over time. We soon noticed how invested everyone was, and it was great to celebrate our success when we saw our waste decreasing.

The Results? Tangible and Transformative

For three consecutive years, we've confirmed that significant reductions have been achieved in electricity and waste emissions. By taking advantage of quick, low-cost initiatives such as LED lighting upgrades, waste data improvements, and green travel we have made early and impactful reductions to our emission inventory.

From year 1 to year 3 we have:

• Achieved a 97% reduction in waste

• Committed to using 100% renewable energy through the purchase of LGC's to account for our grid electricity consumption.

• Created a reliable, consistent baseline emissions inventory to track ongoing progress.

Every tonne of CO₂ measured and reduced is a step forward, and we know we’re just getting started.

This tracking would not have been possible if we didn't know what our initial emissions were. For us, this highlights the need to know your baseline before setting targets.

Lessons Worth Sharing

Our journey has shown that small, targeted changes can deliver big results. From data quality to procurement and travel policies, each decision adds up.

For businesses of every size there are ways to make meaningful emission reductions. We’ve learned that:

• Data completeness and accuracy can make a big difference in improving emission inventory results.

• Don’t underestimate “low-hanging fruit” like LED lighting upgrades and purchasing renewable energy, these decisions can deliver quick results and significant cost savings.

• Policy levers regarding procurement and travel can drive long-term emission reductions.

• Aligning with global standards and methodologies ensures emission reporting and reductions are credible and contribute to broader climate goals.

Looking Ahead

We will continue to improve year on year. As we grow our business, we will look for innovative ways to meet our customer's expectations while reducing emissions. Where we can't reduce, we'll look to purchase carbon credits that align with our values and where we can see strong co-benefits.

A Message to Others Starting Out

When setting targets, make sure they mean something and are not just an arbitrary % reduction that looks good on paper. Research your country's Paris Agreement commitment, find out if your major customers have set a supply chain target, or align with the 1.5 degree scenario.

Getting started can be daunting. When you complete your first report, you don't need to look like a sustainability hero, you just need to have data to quantify your emissions and become a 'known quantity' to your customers, partners, and stakeholders.

If you're at the beginning of your sustainability journey, remember, you don’t need to be perfect to make progress. Start with data. Build from there. Align your goals with national and global commitments. And most importantly, make your targets meaningful.

Partnering for Progress

We're proud to now be Alliance Partners of the ESG Literacy Hub. This partnership reflects our belief that sustainable business begins with informed action, and that education, collaboration, and practical tools are key to a low-carbon future.

Together, we’re not just reducing emissions, we’re raising the standard.