More and more businesses are announcing net-zero goals—but not all of them hold up to scrutiny. If you're a small or mid-sized business looking to take meaningful climate action, it's essential to create a strategy that's not just ambitious but also credible.

So, what makes a net-zero strategy credible?

Start with your footprint. Before you set targets, you need to understand your current impact. A reliable carbon footprint includes Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (energy-related), and where possible, Scope 3 (value chain) emissions.

Be science-aligned. Your targets should align with climate science—typically, that means reducing emissions by at least 90% by 2050 or sooner. Short-term milestones help you stay accountable along the way.