The roadmap to decarbonising industries requires companies to act now to achieve a net-zero
economy by 2050 at the very latest. But realistically how can businesses achieve this? One route
is via Science Based Targets initiative (SBTis) which, in return for making a long-term commitment
to reducing emissions, can bring significant benefits to the business too.

Aiming for net zero usually means implementing wholesale changes. So, what makes a credible
net-zero target? SBTis should be ambitious, robust, clear and practical. In order to reduce
emissions, we need to understand and measure where they’re sourced from in the first place.

To achieve the most ambitious goal of net zero emissions set by the Paris Agreement we must
hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2˚C while pursuing efforts to limit the
rise to 1.5˚C. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol introduced Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 categories
to enable companies to understand their full value chain emissions.

What is the scope for progress?

According to www.sciencebasedtargets.org, in 2021 SBTi companies represented over a third of
the global market, so more and more businesses are joining the crusade to significantly reduce
their carbon footprint – don’t get left behind! If you want to do something for the environment this is
the tool to figure it out.

Scope 1 covers emissions from sources that an organisation owns or controls directly; Scope 2 are
those that a company causes indirectly when the energy it purchases and uses is produced; Scope
3 encompasses emissions that are from products sourced from suppliers.

First make sure you understand the processes surrounding the different scopes. Engage experts if
needed or consult a company that is on the same path, like Ellab Group. We have an
environmental policy in place and a sustainable strategy. We have achieved ISO accreditations
14001 and 9001 and completed an Energy Review with the focus on electricity consumption.

Once you have thoroughly prepared the scopes and set your targets – then the real work begins.
Having a policy and strategy in place helps set out a roadmap specific for each scope. Also keep
employees in the loop about what you are doing.

Keeping stakeholders in the loop

As well as engaging the workforce in the process also connect with partners and suppliers. Getting
your employees on board is crucial. Explain what you are doing, why you are doing it and what is
to be gained. There are practical things such as turning off lights and PCs at night, converting
fleets to electric vehicles, and adding motion sensors to lights.

Digitising paperwork reduces the need to print and post out multi-page volumes. Giving customers
access to important documents online or in an email – just think of the saving in paper, ink and
postage.

It’s crucial that scope calculations are as accurate as possible. All stakeholders need to be part of
the process because otherwise you won’t get anywhere. You can set all the science-based targets
you want but you’ll never reach them if not everybody is on board – and that goes for your
suppliers too.

Purchasing of goods and services is a key element for the SBTi. Start by selecting a couple of your
closest suppliers so that they feel part of the solution. Meet them face to face and make them
aware how important it is that they are part of the process and how they can benefit from your
company’s sustainability ethos.

At Ellab we did an employee commuting survey. This is personal information that might meet with
some scepticism from workers but whatever their mode of travel, make it clear that you’re not using
the data to make them move house, buy another car or force them to take public transport or ride a
bike. The data is only required to provide accurate carbon reduction targets.

However, is it always necessary and of benefit to a customer to use a car or take a plane to see
them face to face – or could technology like Microsoft Teams sometimes be used? It’s not saying
every journey has to be by public transport or you’re not allowed to fly anymore. It’s just about
getting the right mindset, thinking about what would be the best solution in each case.

A small idea can lead to significant benefits

In one of our subsidiary divisions, it was the humble milk bottle that kick-started the eco-journey.
The firm realised that its works canteen was getting through around 700 four-pint plastic milk
bottles a year, prompting a rethink to make its employees’ drinks less harmful to the environment.
Milk now comes in reusable glass bottles delivered daily. The empties are then collected every
morning and reused which is better for the planet.

We have also eliminated plastic from packaging, replacing it with recyclable and recycled paper,
tape and cardboard boxes, down to toilet rolls and towels which are supplied without any plastic
outer wrapping. In addition, we are recycling paper waste and leftover food, investing in energy
efficient technology on the production line to deliver more environmentally-friendly products.

The steps we have taken at Ellab have already produced tangible results. Encouraging awareness
of the common goal and benefits of reducing the CO 2 footprint gets departments and individuals
working more closely together, questioning processes. Our electricity bill has gone down, far less
waste is going to landfill and more is being recycled, while our R&D department is working on
making our products more sustainable, and easy to disassemble for disposal.

Why should companies undertake this challenge?

There is a growing realisation that time is running out to repair the planet. Pursuing net zero targets
sends a positive message to customers wanting to do business with you, while enforcing an image
that if you care about the environment, you also care about the wellbeing of employees and the
local community.

At Ellab we are confident that we have the scope to transform our validation, calibration and
monitoring business way beyond reducing our CO 2 emissions. We are significantly increasing our
efforts to ultimately secure a sustainable future, which we also expect will deliver economic
benefits both upstream and downstream. Why wouldn’t you follow suit?

By Stine Bergman, Sustainability and Environmental Manager at Ellab Group.