Moving to Net Zero: Your next step in decarbonisation

Many organisations have already taken meaningful steps on their path to decarbonisation. Emissions are being measured, early reduction initiatives are delivering cost and energy savings, and confidence is growing. These foundational efforts mark an important shift. But they are only the beginning.

There comes a point when incremental progress is no longer enough. Stakeholders, investors, and customers are calling for clear, credible strategies that lead to Net Zero. Markets are changing as regulations tighten and low-carbon solutions become the expectation rather than the exception.

A Net Zero strategy is more than a pledge; it is a blueprint for future-proofing a business. In our work with clients, we’ve seen that moving from early action to a credible Net Zero strategy is where organisations create lasting competitive advantage. But achieving Net Zero requires a transformation in how decisions are made, how value is created, and how businesses engage across their supply chains.

Why Net Zero matters

Making a Net Zero commitment sends a powerful signal to the market that an organisation is serious about managing long-term risks and unlocking new opportunities. Increasingly, it’s a prerequisite for staying on preferred supplier lists, attracting investment and maintaining a strong reputation in a climate-conscious world.

Customers want to see real action. Investors and lenders are demanding transparency around climate risks, both physical and transition, and employees are gravitating toward organisations that demonstrate purpose and responsibility. 

A credible Net Zero strategy builds trust, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and positions the business for long-term success. 

Beyond early action

Transitioning to Net Zero is not simply a matter of scaling up early wins or offsetting residual emissions. It requires a fundamental shift in how organisations plan, invest, and operate.

Defining what Net Zero really means for your organisation is the first step, followed by setting clear and realistic targets and developing a detailed roadmap that lays out the steps to achieve them. It requires collaboration across the value chain, working with your suppliers and partners to reduce emissions beyond direct operations.

A robust Net Zero strategy is grounded in reliable data, embedded into governance and strategy and supported by the right capabilities and systems. From our experience, it is a whole-business transformation, designed to deliver long-term value.

Taking the next step

If your business has already begun measuring emissions and delivering early reductions, you have laid the groundwork. The next step is to turn that progress into a comprehensive, credible plan. This means asking some key questions:

• What does Net Zero mean for both our business and our sector?
• How will we reduce emissions across our entire value chain?
• What timeline is realistic, and how will we phase investments?
• How will we embed these goals into our core business strategy and governance?
• How will we ensure accountability, track progress and report transparently?

Answering these questions is how businesses move from good intentions to real delivery. It’s how they lead with purpose, deliver on their commitments, and shape a sustainable future.

How Grant Thornton can help

We help businesses translate Net Zero commitments into practical, deliverable strategies. Whether you're just beginning or ready to accelerate progress, our team works alongside you to set clear targets, develop phased roadmaps, engage suppliers, and design governance structures that drive real results.

Our focus is on enabling confident action, grounded in data, aligned with business priorities, and designed to deliver long-term value.

Talk to us about how we can support your next step on the journey to Net Zero, building a strategy that delivers impact, resilience, and competitive advantage.

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