The pathway to achieving net-zero carbon is by identifying your carbon footprint and reducing your energy use. This must be regularly reported and verified, and your existing system reviewed at least every 5 years to ensure you are on track to meeting your targets and strengthen commitment. 

According to the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) achieving net-zero operational carbon in your building can be done by accessing, monitoring, verifying, and reducing the embodied carbon. This is the whole life-cycle carbon (WLC) emission resulting from the materials, construction, and the use of a building over its entire life, including its demolition and disposal. It provides a robust picture of the building’s impact on the environment.

Energy inputs and outputs from power systems also need to be accessed, monitored and verified. Organizations can take advantage of the existing framework such as the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme if available as a plan to achieve net-zero.

Using low carbon energy supply for heating and hot water and maximizing the use of on-site renewable or finding the zero-carbon balance by investing in additional renewable energy capacity off-site is another step to reducing you’re your carbon footprint.

Lastly, continual measurement and verification of data and performance need to be ensured for a recognizable, sustainable & auditable energy management system.  Policies and strategies need to be reviewed to ensure that the energy management system is meeting regulatory standar