Standardization
The use of the industry-devised term net zero operations’ means Scope 3 emissions are not included. As a result, BP could in theory become officially carbon neutral, and claim to have net zero operations, without having to reduce the amount of oil and gas it sells to customers.
Chris Hocknell, the founder and chief executive of Eight Versa has said “The term net zero operations has risen to prominence this year. It is being thrown around casually and incorrectly. Oil companies are using it as a reassuring, artificial green stamp of approval to calm investors, consumers and politicians.
“This is despite the fact there has been minimal progress towards genuinely reducing Scope 3 emissions. When companies do this and get away with it, it ultimately allows more of the same to continue. We won’t see the reductions in Scope 3 that we actually all need if this corporate behaviour goes on unchecked.”
“We cannot deny that the likes of BP have made serious reductions in their Scope 1 and 2 emissions in recent years. Of course, this should be recognised and welcomed. But these reductions are a drop in the ocean compared to their Scope 3 emissions. The emissions from the fuel they provide is clearly the biggest problem.
He added: “We need greater and clearer standardization around the use of the terms such as ‘net zero’ and ‘carbon neutral’, to avoid misleading the public, politicians and other businesses. A truly net zero company would not be contributing significantly to the climate crisis.
Greenwash
“We can’t afford any more confusion and time-wasting that results from net zero claims that conveniently ignore the largest part of a company’s emissions. If you ever see the term ‘net zero operations’, you should question it immediately. It doesn’t exist.”
He concluded: “The SBTi has ‘paused’ the validation of fossil fuel companies – they are becoming wary of the evolving marketing tactics in the fossil fuels sector and the growing terminology misuse. However, this pause doesn’t help anyone. Instead, we need clearer, more robust, stricter and meaningfully enforced terminology.”
Campaigners hope that introducing more clarity and enforcement to definitions which can be used – such as net zero, carbon neutral and off-setting – companies will be forced to consider and disclose the full impact of their operations, including the actual use of the products they produce and sell.
Eight Versa is promoting its Natural Carbon Solutions certification, which it claims has been purpose-built to address this kind of challenge.
Hocknell concluded: “It’s clear we need to bring trusted credibility, fair terminology, trust and objectivity to corporate net zero carbon commitments. The corporate sector has the most important role to play when it comes to combating the climate crisis, so working with them towards real net zero will be essential, rather than relying on misleading and ineffective terminology that spreads confusion and is ultimately greenwash.”
This Author
Brendan Montague is editor of The Ecologist.
