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How to build an effective carbon reduction strategy

With the UK setting a target to reach net zero by 2050, many organisations are looking to reduce the impact of their operations. That’s why we’ve put together this complete guide to help you build your carbon reduction strategy. If you’re unsure of how to start your measuring, reducing and reporting your carbon emissions, we’re here to help. Call 0330 123 1144 today to speak to our team today.

Why is it important to have a carbon reduction strategy?

Reaching net zero is legally mandated in the UK, meaning that businesses and organisations should start taking measurable steps to reduce emissions. By implementing a carbon reduction strategy, you’ll not only reduce the emissions of your business but also benefit your corporate social responsibility (CSR), improving your brand reputation, increasing your sales and building stronger relationships with your customers.

What are the different types of emissions?

There are many ways that an organisation (and its products and services) can produce emissions which is why they are categorised under scope 1, 2 and 3 by the GHG protocol, an internationally-recognised framework for measuring emissions.

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 1 emissions are the emissions generated from the direct operations of an organisation. An example of scope 1 emissions are the emissions released from a company’s fuel consumption.

Scope 2 emissions

Scope 2 emissions are the indirect emissions that an organisation generates through its energy usage. For example, the emissions from the electricity or heating that a business uses.

Scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions are those that are external to an organisation, such as the emissions from a product’s supply chain or the emissions released over a product’s lifecycle. While scope 3 are often the hardest to measure, they have the potential to make the biggest impact.

4 steps to creating an effective carbon reduction strategy?

1. Measure the impact of your operations with an independent third party to establish your baseline emissions
2. Identify reduction opportunities and establish a plan to implement them
3. Set clear, time-defined and achievable targets
4. Monitor your progress annually to ensure that you are on track to reach your targets

Step 1: Establish your baseline emissions

Before you can start reducing the emissions of your organisation, you need to calculate your current carbon footprint. This will then serve as the baseline emissions which you will measure the progress and effectiveness of your carbon-reducing initiatives.

Calculating your baseline emissions involves identifying, measuring and recording the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your operations over a defined period (typically 1 year).

When calculating your baseline emissions, accuracy is essential for effectively tracking your progress. That’s why it’s recommended to work with an independent third-party who specialises in carbon measurement and reduction.

When calculating our own baseline emissions, we used an independent consultancy, who ensured detailed measuring and accuracy so that our progress could be monitored. Discover our entire carbon assessment report for more information.

Step 2: Set clear and achievable targets

While the goal of reaching net zero emissions is widely shared, organisations need to set clear and achievable targets to ensure your reduction strategy is credible and taken seriously by all stakeholders. Many organisations adopt a phased approach that breaks down long-term carbon reduction targets into smaller short-term goals.

An example of what a phased approach may look like:

• Reduce scope 1 emissions by 60% by 2030
• Reduce scope 2 emissions by 80% by 2032
• Reduce scope 3 emissions by 40% by 2035
• Reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions by 95% by 2040
• Reduce scope 3 emissions by 85% by 2045
• Reach net zero emissions by 2050

Dividing long-term goals into manageable, short-term targets creates a more effective way to measure progress.

Step 3: Identify reduction opportunities and create a plan to implement them

Reduction opportunities are defined by the actions or strategies an organisation can take to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, spanning across your operations, energy use, transportation, supply chains and more. This is why it’s important to measure your baseline emissions accurately, as this will enable you to identify all carbon-reducing opportunities and prioritise those emissions that can make the most significant impact. For instance, if you find that one aspect of your operations generates 80% of your scope 1 emissions, you can implement changes that make a large reduction.

When identifying our own carbon reduction opportunities, we found that we could reduce up to 90% of our net CO₂ emissions released from our fuel consumption by switching our delivery fleet from diesel to HVO fuel. This change had no impact on our operations and required no modifications to our delivery fleet. This action has helped us to achieve an 89% reduction in our scope 1 transport emissions.

Step 4: Monitor your progress annually

Monitoring and publicly reporting your progress annually holds you accountable and ensures that you’re on track to meet your targets whilst improving trust and transparency with all stakeholders. It helps to prepare for future audits and guide investment to emission reduction opportunities that provide the biggest impact.

A range of organisations, such as large companies with a turnover of more than £36 million or more than 250 employees, are legally required to monitor emissions. Working to the highest internationally recognised standards such as ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol ensures that your organisation remains compliant and avoid hefty fines.

At Beesley Fuels we publish a carbon assessment report each year to demonstrate our environmental commitment and identify areas we can improve our carbon reduction strategy.

What frameworks and standards should an organisation use for carbon reporting?

When measuring your carbon emissions, it’s essential to follow robust, internationally recognised frameworks to ensure accuracy and meaningful progress over time. The exact frameworks that your organisation works to will depend on the sector you operate in but there are a few standards and frameworks that all organisations should consider including:

GHG Protocol

The GHG Protocol is an internationally-recognised framework to help organisations manage, measure and distinguish emissions.

ISO 14064

ISO 14064 is a guideline set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) to help businesses quantify and report carbon emissions.

ISO 14068 and IWA 42:2022

The ISO 14068 and IWA 42:2022 documentation are also outlined by the ISO. The ISO 14068 is a framework for achieving carbon neutrality, a crucial step towards reaching net zero, whilst the IWA 42:2022 documentation is a guideline for achieving net zero. IWA 42:2022 is also referred to as the ISO net zero guidelines.

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

The SECR is a legal requirement within the UK for large businesses to report their emissions to the government.

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

A voluntary but widely adopted platform, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) helps organisations to disclose environmental data and the impact of their operations.

Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

The SBTi is an organisation that helps businesses to set environmental targets in line with the latest climate science.

What are some of the methods used to reduce carbon emissions?

The methods you can use to reduce your GHG emissions will vary depending on factors such as the nature of your organisation, where your emissions are generated and the planned growth of your business. However, there are several common strategies you can consider, including:

Switch to renewable energy sources

Switching to renewable energy tariffs or generating your own renewable energy (i.e. by installing solar panels), can significantly reduce the emissions your business produces from its electricity consumption. For example, our Group has installed over 550 solar panels across all owned sites and has switched to 100% renewable energy tariffs, which has helped us to reduce our scope 2 emissions by 87%.

Improve energy efficiency

If generating renewable energy onsite isn’t feasible, you can focus on improving the efficiency of your operations and equipment. Conducting an energy audit can help identify areas of inefficiency, allowing you to prioritise changes that will have the biggest impact.

Travel sustainably and less frequently

Whether it be employee commutes or making deliveries, transport emissions have a significant impact on the climate. Emission reduction opportunities include:

• Substituting video calls for travelling to in-person meetings
• Investing in renewably-powered vehicles
• Switching to an alternative renewable fuel
• Reducing unnecessary business travel
• Adopting remote or hybrid working policies where possible

Reduce and manage waste

Since the 31^st of March 2025, all UK businesses must separate their waste before it’s collected, apart from firms with fewer than 10 employees (who have until 2027 to make operational changes). This means that now more than ever, businesses must manage and reduce their waste appropriately. Methods to reduce business waste emissions include:

• Recycling and reusing materials
• Going paperless and digitising your organisation where possible
• Opting for recyclable materials from eco-conscious suppliers
• Finding a specialist waste management businesses in your area

Offset all unavoidable emissions

While cutting emissions should be at the forefront of any carbon reduction strategy, any emissions that are unavoidable (i.e. as a result of technological challenges) can be offset with the use of independently verified carbon credits. We offer carbon credits with all our fuel orders that are independently verified by the United Nations or CHOOOSE, meaning that you can counteract the emissions from your fuel consumption whilst supporting carbon-reducing projects around the globe.

Engage staff with your sustainability initiatives

To achieve a collective goal of net zero emissions, gaining employee buy-in is key. There are lots of ways to get your staff on board, such as through regular training sessions and schemes to incentivise more sustainable practices such as carpooling or cycling to work.

Do carbon offsets reduce emissions?

Carbon offsets do not directly reduce the emissions from your operations, but instead counteract those that you cannot avoid, by supporting carbon-reducing projects around the globe such as building wind and solar farms and supporting underdeveloped communities. That’s why it’s important that carbon offsets supplement an effective carbon-cutting strategy and are not a direct replacement.

We provide carbon offsetting with all our fuels to provide a simple way for homes and businesses to reduce their environmental impact without affecting their operations. To find out more, give our team a call on 0330 123 1144 today.

How can carbon reduction align with overall business objectives and profitability?

Embedding sustainability into every aspect of your operations is key to drive meaningful emissions reductions while supporting your long-term objectives and profitability. There are several ways that organisations can integrate carbon reduction to benefit their overall business strategy, including:

• Improving sustainability will build relationships with customers and increase repeat purchases from eco-conscious consumers
• Identifying methods to improve energy efficiency will help to save business costs long-term
• Tying sustainability into your organisation’s values will help to improve engagement from stakeholders
• Recycling will help to reduce waste and the costs of replacement equipment
• Committing to sustainability will help to attract ESG-focused investors

Can decarbonisation create new revenue streams?

Many organisations or businesses that adopt carbon reduction practices will find it easier to attract and retain new customers. This is because consumers and businesses are becoming more eco-conscious with their buying decisions. A PwC survey found that more than 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced or sourced goods. The value this could provide to your organisation will depend on the size and nature of your business.

We’ve achieved carbon neutral status in line with ISO 14068

In April 2022 we became one of the first UK fuel suppliers to achieve carbon neutrality in line with PAS 2060. This framework was replaced by ISO 14068 at the start of 2025, a more rigorous and robust framework for carbon neutrality. In April 2025, our Group became one of the first UK businesses to be certified carbon neutral by BSI in line with ISO 14068 standards. Our environmental commitment doesn’t stop there; we’re on a journey to reach net zero direct emissions (scope 1 & 2) by 2030 or sooner and net zero   for all emissions by 2050.

We can help you achieve your carbon reduction objectives too

Not only are we reducing our own carbon emissions, but we can also help you with your own sustainability targets. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps in your net zero journey or are looking for renewable fuel alternatives such as HVO, our team are on hand to assist.

Call 0330 123 1144 today to speak to one of our sustainability experts and start reducing your environmental impact today.