BSI Net Zero Pathway

The UK Government’s aim is to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 compared with 1990 levels, and reach net zero emissions by 2050. The BSI Net Zero Pathway is a new scheme showcasing your organization's commitment to an achievable and credible net zero journey by this date.

There are lots of sustainability certification schemes available, which can lead to a confusing market and whilst most corporates are pledging net zero, few have a clear strategy.

 *BSI, Net Zero Barometer Report 2023     

The BSI Net Zero Pathway provides credible assurance to your carbon inventory, methodology, targets, and management controls to ensure your company meets its net zero goals on time, and on budget. As part of the Pathway, we will use your verified carbon footprint data, including current emissions, planned business growth, and carbon reduction plans, to provide a Target Evaluator Report to show you whether your planned targets will enable you to achieve net zero by 2050 or sooner.

This BSI Target Evaluator Report also provides a detailed forecast of how much any carbon offsets and reduction initiatives are likely to cost. That way, you can understand the cost of your plan and the alternative scenarios if your organization were to do nothing, helping make the business case for net zero investment. It can also estimate the cost to human health and property that occurs from organizations' emissions.

The BSI Net Zero Pathway is not a standard, it is an overarching scheme which includes elements taken from Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1), the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42) and Carbon Neutrality Standard (PAS 2060). Each element has an essential part to play to ensure you’re on your way to becoming net zero.

This scheme is applicable to all organizations regardless of size or sector. Your organization's journey to becoming a certified net zero business will vary depending on a few factors.

Phase 0: Discovery Workshop   
If you haven’t begun to calculate your carbon footprint or have only considered your scope 1 direct emissions, BSI offer discovery workshops to help you begin your journey to net zero and get prepared for a verification of your footprint against the requirements of Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1) within 6-12 months, depending on the size of your organization.     

Phase 1: Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1) 
You must calculate your carbon footprint using the requirements in Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1), which means all significant GHG emissions are considered and your targets will be set against the correct baseline. Throughout this journey, BSI can provide other gap assessments, training, or certifications such as Energy Management (ISO 50001) as part of the process of getting to net zero.

Phase 2: ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42)
Once your carbon footprint has been verified against Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1), which you will create a carbon reduction plan following the guidance set out in the International Workshop Agreement document, ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42).

The BSI Target Evaluator Report will be issued based on these targets and can be used to see if you are on track to achieve net zero by 2050. The Evaluator Report shows the likely costs of failing to implement realistic targets and the benefits of taking action to reduce your emissions sooner.

After implementing your carbon reduction plan based on the International Workshop Agreement document, ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42), you are ready for your net zero certification audit. You’ll then be issued with a certificate confirming you have successfully implemented your net zero plans.

The BSI Net Zero Pathway includes a number of key features which differentiate it from other approaches in the marketplace.

• The Carbon Footprint Verification (ISO 14064-1) verification gives credibility to your data and avoids greenwashing.
• The ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA42) ensure that your carbon reduction plan will be based on best practice.
• The BSI Target Evaluator Report uses peer-reviewed data from leading scientific bodies such as the University of Oxford and Nobel-Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz to evaluate your organization's carbon data and forecast your current journey to net zero. It will show if your targets are appropriate and include adjustments due to projected business growth.
• The programme of ongoing assessment means that you’ll benefit from an independent review of progress to keep things on track.