Your commitment to net zero

Scottish Enterprise is committed to reaching net zero by 2040. We expect the businesses we work with to have similar ambitions.

If you are unable to commit to this goal, Scottish Enterprise may not be able to offer you certain services at this time.

Your plan for net zero

Does your business have a credible plan in place to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions to net zero buy 2045 at the latest?

Upload your net zero plan

A credible net zero plan is one that:

  • At a minimum, has calculated a baseline of scope 1, scope 2 and easily calculable scope 3 emissions
  • Accurately and transparently sets out an action plan to reduce those emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest and includes short and medium term interim targets
  • Is aligned to one of the main carbon accounting methodologies. (e.g. Greenhouse Gas Protocol; Science Based Targets Initiative; ISO 14064; PAS2060:2014)
  • Is published openly and is updated on at least an annual basis
  • If a company has made a pledge under the UN Race to Zero either directly or through one of the partner programmes such as the SME Climate Hub, we would by default accept this as a demonstration of them having a credible net zero plan in place

Net Zero Statement of Intent

By signing this Net Zero Statement of Intent (SOI) document, we formally agrees to uphold the commitments contained herein. Agreeing to the commitments within this SOI enables you to meet Scottish Enterprise net zero conditionality for our support. You note that writing a full net zero plan may be deemed appropriate should further funding be sought from Scottish Enterprise at a later date.

We agree to embed sustainability throughout operations from the outset, minimising emissions in all business areas over time, providing a strong foundation from which to formally pursue net zero in due course. Additionally, we agree to develop a full net zero strategy at the first appropriate juncture, that is, when intended business operations have become more established and emissions are being generated at scale. Re-applying the three test questions prior to any application for subsequent funding can assist in determining if/when a full plan is needed.

By agreeing to these terms, we understand that progress on the commitment to sustainable growth can be assessed at any time by Scottish Enterprise, and that failure to comply with the commitments formally agreed to within this SOI may prevent that business from accessing future funding from Scottish Enterprise.

The conditions under this statement of intent are laid out in full below:

We commit to the following:

  • Avoid/limit the use of emissions-intensive travel
  • Consider the sustainability credentials of prospective suppliers when making purchasing decisions
  • Embed a culture of sustainability via on-going staff training and engagement
  • Ensure industrial and commercial processes are streamlined to avoid unnecessary generation of waste and/or emissions
  • Establish a means of periodically, and at least annually recording data for all scope 1 and 2 emissions sources
  • Establish a means of periodically, and at least annually recording data for applicable scope 3 sources as they arise (where possible)
  • Source sustainable materials and observe resource efficiency throughout operations.
  • Use clean energy and avoid/limit the use of fossil fuels across operations
  • Develop a full net zero strategy at a suitable juncture in the future, i.e., when the test questions can no longer be answered in the affirmative.
  • Avoid the use of offsetting as a means of achieving short term carbon reductions

    • These commitments will be reviewed regularly, and its progress will be reported to the board bi-annually.

We cannot generally support companies that cannot or will not commit to net zero. Please provide a reason for your selection.