A lot of the technological solutions companies need to significantly reduce emissions are already available. But understanding this for each business depending on where emissions are created and the national or global context, will affect what pathways are available and/or needed. As a non-executive director, understanding the opportunities your business has, the investment needed, and the barriers it may face will inform a robust decarbonisation plan.
On this page:
The Chapter Zero energy guide
Our guide on smart and sustainable energy is designed to give non-executive directors an introduction to the steps they and their companies can take to reduce emissions from energy supply and use.

The role of the board, energy transition and the harder-to-abate sectors
Read the highlights or watch our event where Lord Adair Turner explored the role of non-executive directors in driving the low carbon transition, covering the practical, immediate steps that companies can take.


Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector
Decarbonising energy is a large part of reducing global emissions. To help understand how we could decarbonise the global economy in just three decades, read the International Energy Agency’s special report.

In-depth Q&A: How will the UK’s hydrogen strategy help achieve net-zero?
In this article, Carbon Brief highlights key points from the 121-page strategy and examines some of the main talking points around the UK’s hydrogen plans.

Managing water and climate risk with renewable energy
This McKinsey & Company article explores how companies can target renewable-energy purchases and investments to reduce water risk and carbon emissions in tandem.

Making Clean Electrification Possible
30 years to electrify the global economy. Learn why it is essential, feasible and affordable to multiply the size of the global power system by five, while shifting to renewables.

Making the Hydrogen Economy Possible
Explore the role of clean hydrogen in achieving a highly electrified net-zero economy.

Making Mission Possible: Delivering a Net-Zero Economy
Clean electrification will be the primary route to decarbonisation, complemented by hydrogen, sustainable biomass and fossil fuels combined with carbon capture.
Electricity could represent up to 70% of final energy demand by 2050, versus 20% today
Source: Energy Transitions Commission
Many of the current approaches to offsetting are unlikely to deliver what is needed to achieve climate goals. Read The Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting by the University of Oxford for guidelines to help ensure offsetting actually helps to move us to a net zero society.
Carbon offsetting explained
Carbon offsetting is often discussed in relation to corporate emissions reductions strategies. But where does it fit in?

Carbon capture, use and storage can also have a part to play. The key will be technology and regulation.

Greenhouse gas removal briefing paper
This Centre for Climate Engagement briefing paper explains greenhouse gas removals, different solutions and when a business should be thinking about them.

Exploring the role of carbon offsetting in the transition to net zero
Watch our webinar with Deloitte to explore a NED perspective on the role of carbon offsetting.

Net zero whole life carbon roadmap for the built environment
UKGBC’s Whole Life Carbon Roadmap lays out a common vision and agreed actions for achieving net zero carbon in the construction, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure.
Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative
This major global initiative focuses on bringing rigour and transparency to net zero and carbon neutral claims to improve the integrity of voluntary carbon markets.
Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets
The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (TSVCM) is a private sector-led initiative working to scale an effective and efficient voluntary carbon market to help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Read their full report to learn about the TSVCM framework and Core Carbon Principles.
Engaging the corporate sector in carbon removal
This panel discussion explores the Atkins and Foresight Transitions carbon removal corporate engagement guide.
Carbon pricing explained
What do NEDs need to know about carbon pricing? Read our guide to explore carbon pricing mechanisms, trends and how businesses can respond.


How can organisations achieve breakthrough innovation?
Three steps companies can take to achieve the breakthrough innovation required to deliver the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals including Goal 13 – Climate Action.

Design cost-effective, carbon-abated products with resource cleansheets
A powerful avenue for pursuing sustainability is embedding it into product design, which can determine up to 80% of the future carbon footprint. By integrating cost and carbon-emission analysis, a new methodology called “resource cleansheeting” makes it possible.

Making the impossible possible: The blueprint for decarbonizing industry
This white paper is based on discussions between industry leaders on decarbonising industry, especially harder-to-abate sectors.
Mission possible: The 2020 report
Read this Edie report to explore how a green recovery from Covid-19 can be achieved across six of the UK’s biggest industries: Utilities, manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality & leisure, and the public sector.

Be inspired by corporate climate action
Building on interviews with more than 400 companies, the Goal 13 Impact Platform and report show how businesses around the world are planning to achieve net zero.

Reasons to be cheerful: Climate leadership in action
This short report from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit highlights best practice examples of climate leadership from different countries.