Introduction to the Carbon Strategy Group

The world has seen some stark evidence of the warming climate during 2020 – from another set of record temperatures, reducing polar ice cover, record rainfall and tragic fires in the Amazon and across Australia. Extreme weather events have severe impact on business, society and ecosystems, and pose an increasing threat as our climate continues to warm. Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic, businesses remain keenly aware of their responsibilities in the face of this largest of all challenges.

Governments around the world have put legislative measures in place to encourage or even force better business practices – from landfill taxes to green tariffs. These make it more expensive for businesses to operate wasteful and inefficient processes. More importantly, the consumer is increasingly well-informed about which companies “get it” and make buying decisions accordingly.

The UK Government has set out a series of Carbon Budgets to help track progress towards its targets. This demonstrates that there is still an important gap to be closed for the next three measurement periods through to the sixth budget period ending in 2037.

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) now rescheduled to take place in Glasgow in November of 2021, the UK Government is committed to taking a leadership role – pushing a broad front of new legislative measures which feature both carrots and sticks in the fight to meet Net Zero targets. In November 2020, the Government published its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution with the ambition to “Build back better, support green jobs, and accelerate our path to Net Zero.”

It is true to say that the drive and commitment towards a low carbon world is now in the mainstream.

Unfortunately, many organisations see the drive to sustainability as being a burden on costs and time, though in fact this is far from the truth. There is significant evidence that businesses that adopt robust sustainability practices become more resilient and financially secure. This is because businesses misunderstand the level of cost that may be involved.

Though the will to demonstrate a sustainable business may be evident, how to do this is not always obvious due to a lack of resource and knowledge. And of course, time is a commodity that is in short supply for many businesses, this is where Auditel’s carbon and net zero consultants can help.

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Our Purpose and Passion

Total Cost of Purchase

We provide our clients with the tools and methodologies to act as good stewards of their businesses whilst embracing good environmental, social and governance practice. Ethical procurement practices create sustainable profits.

Corporate Leadership

We understand that corporations play an essential role in developing a sustainable way of working. Many business leaders now share a conviction that there must be a fundamental shift in how organisations operate. Climate change, resource depletion, falling biodiversity, social inequality and cyber attacks are acknowledged threats to ‘business as usual’.

The Circular Economy

Companies that are willing to embrace the concepts of a circular economy will be better placed to survive and thrive in the future. Leaders are replacing the concept of obsolescence with restoration. This increases demand for renewable energy, eliminates greenhouse gases, and reduces waste through enhanced materials, design, systems and business models.

The Problem with 'Business as Usual'

Climate Change

The UN Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change published evidence in 2018 demonstrating that immediate action was required to slow global warming otherwise irreparable damage would result. Climate activism is reported regularly in our media.

The Consumer

A double-edged sword, the consumer creates product demand but is increasingly aware of good and bad products and business practices. Without the customer, all businesses would fail so the challenge is to develop products and services which are sustainable.

The Investor

Todays capital markets are becoming increasingly selective about environmental, social, and governance factors. Those who do not follow a sustainable strategy will risk owning stranded assets within one or two business cycles.  As Mark Carney puts it in his 2020 Reith Lecture series – it will be the businesses pursuing purpose and solving problems for society that will be profitable over the long term. In the words of Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney “If some companies and industries fail to adjust to this new world, they will fail to exist.“

The Solution

Discovery

We help explore and define an organisation’s carbon footprint. This serves as the first step towards managing your organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Action Plan

Agree methodology, scope, key targets, implementation time frames, and investment business case. The beauty of a well-conceived carbon management programme is that it will invariably also result in lower operational costs.

Measure & Review

Consistent collation of consumption data for all emission sources within your boundary. Third-party verification of baseline and reductions against target.

Net Zero Roadmap

All businesses need to develop a clear understanding of their impact on the environment. For many businesses this can be a complex process – but with the right approach it is possible to establish a baseline and a coherent plan to reduce this impact.

It is true to say that some businesses have chosen to act without first establishing a clear strategic roadmap, and therefore, the real value of their actions is not apparent. It is good to see this sense of urgency – however, we believe that it is more important to understand ‘business as usual’, before identifying and outlining the most appropriate pathway for change and pace of delivery.