In November 2020, the UK government released its 10-point plan to accelerate the path to Net Zero. Here we explain what Net Zero is, how the government’s new plan might impact your business and how, here at Nexus, we can help you reach your emissions targets.

What does Net Zero mean?

Essentially, Net Zero is the balance between how much greenhouse gases are being produced, and how much we can remove from the atmosphere. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to nothing (this would be “gross zero”), but for businesses where it is very difficult to reduce emissions to zero, you can balance it with investing in practices that remove them from the atmosphere. There are a number of ways businesses can achieve this, from investing in green technology, which will cause fewer emissions, offsetting emissions through schemes such as planting trees, and reducing emissions through policies like recycling and paper-free meetings.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) recommended that the UK should aim to be net zero on all greenhouse gases by 2050 to stay in line with the 2016 Paris Agreement.

Why are we trying to achieve Net Zero?

Put simply, the future of the planet hangs in the balance. If we carry on as we are, the natural world, our ability to create food, and our communities will be under threat.

However, we are still able to mitigate the worst of climate change. If we drop global greenhouse gasses by half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, our planet and our future have a chance.

Will my sector be affected?

All industries should consider how they might reduce emissions, but some will find it easier than others. Some sectors have limited technology available to help them reduce emissions, and others require huge investment upfront. Agriculture and food manufacture for example has a wealth of ways it can reduce emissions through sustainable technology and creating a circular economy but it often requires high levels of investment.  So it’s unlikely that all emissions will be brought down to zero, which is where the balancing act of removing emissions come into play.

Transport and construction will amongst the hardest affected, as widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable construction practices are within reach. The government’s 10-point plan to reach net zero includes the ban on new petrol and diesel cars and vans, and zero emission city centres, which means that logistics, construction and other fleets will have to look at how they can both remain compliant and even go over and above to future proof their practices.

Concern about the push toward EVs without adequate infrastructure is well founded. Charging points are not currently widely available and batteries require replacing every five years, which is a barrier to mass adoption. With the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles only 9 years away, the UK still can’t successfully support businesses to run a wholly electric fleet successfully.

How can Nexus help me hit Net Zero?

Here at Nexus, we’re passionate about helping you reach your goals, and there are a number of ways that we can help your fleet, whether retail, construction, logistics or utilities.

• Improving efficiency. Our IRIS rental management software can help identify areas to improve upon, not only increasing efficiency but also saving you bottom-line rental spend too. With historical and real-time data reports, you can identify trends in vehicle usage, allowing you to potentially reduce carbon emissions. A dedicated account management team are always on hand to support you in your business objectives.

• Choosing more eco-friendly vehicles to hire. We have a dedicated EV rental management platform designed to help you make the transition to an electric fleet. This platform eases the process by allowing you to gradually trial and transition to EVs by avoiding large upfront expenditure.

• Here at Nexus, we’re at the forefront when it comes to supporting business mobility and we’re dedicated to helping you take advantage of the resources and technologies available to you. That’s why we’re giving you access to our webinar, where we discuss the Government’s 10-point plan and the role of the EVs in the rental market.