As businesses around the world start to recognize their role in climate change and set their sights on becoming net-zero, they’re now beginning to look beyond zero emissions. With an eye towards the future, more and more companies are looking at how they can become climate positive — that is, reducing their own emissions while also working to remove carbon from the atmosphere. This process is no small task, however, and there are still some discrepancies between what is considered a “true” net-zero strategy and one that leverages carbon offsets.
Carbon offsets refer to projects that actively work to mitigate or reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Examples include planting trees or investing in renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. By offsetting your company’s emissions with carbon offsets, you can effectively achieve a net-zero emissions goal even if it does not achieve absolute zero emissions.
Climate positive strategies offer numerous benefits for businesses, both in terms of public perception and financial savings over time. For example, by engaging in activities like reforestation or investing in renewable energy projects, a business can demonstrate its commitment to mitigating climate change while also helping build a better environment for future generations. Additionally, these activities have the potential to save organizations money over time due to reduced energy costs associated with using renewable sources of energy versus conventional sources of energy like fossil fuels.
Becoming net-zero is an important first step for any organization looking to address its environmental impact. But for those looking to go above and beyond this target, going climate positive offers an opportunity to not only reduce their own emissions but also make a tangible difference in global efforts to combat climate change. While there are still some discrepancies about what constitutes true net-zero status versus one that relies on carbon offsets, there’s no denying that taking action now has immense potential benefits both now and in years to come. As such, businesses should consider taking steps towards becoming climate positive sooner rather than later as part of their overall corporate sustainability initiatives.