Unlike carbon offsetting, SCFs do not allow for potentially misleading claims of ‘carbon neutrality’ or ‘net zero’. Instead, GCC advises members to focus on highlighting the tangible and effective actions that they have already taken.
For example, rather than claiming the following:
“We will be net zero by 2025 and will offset all our emissions through tree planting and carbon capture technologies.”
Instead, aim to say something along the lines of:
“By measuring our greenhouse gas emissions and implementing a Decarbonisation Action Plan we have reduced our CO2e by 15% over the past two years and are currently on track for a 60% reduction target in 2030. We used our 2023 Strategic Climate Fund (calculated at 0.4% of revenue) to install a ground-source heat pump for our office and also donated $5,000 to SolarAid.”
There are a number of guidelines and resources available with advice on how to communicate effectively about climate action and environmental responsibility. Organisations including Climate Outreach and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication can help provide guidance on making sure that we are communicating effectively and transparently, and staying up-to-date on evolving language.
GCC would be happy to schedule a call to discuss this with any of our members. If in doubt about how to communicate your work on SCFs, GCC has some guidance here.
