Our Net Zero Now Partnership

EM is a NetZeroNow.org partner. The Net Zero Catering Protocol comes with software support tools and consultant time as an add-on module to the core EM platform. It's a powerful enabler for caterers to mitigate climate change. Focused on public sector catering, the module facilitates breakthroughs for food procurers to achieve climate action plans with speed and efficiency.  By quantifying all scope 3 emissions in addition to scope 1&2 emissions, setting a target-based coherent action plan and then costing and providing qualified offsets, public sector caterers can achieve net zero emissions... now.

Step 1: Quantify All Emissions

Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are calculated to fully understand the catering operation warming impact.

Reviewing energy use and recycling alone is insufficient. Upstream and downstream activities must be taken into account such as the production approach of procured ingredients.

Step 2: Build Action Plan

Set separate targets for scope 1&2 emissions and scope 3 emissions. Then, identify the highest impact, achievable actions to deliver the targets.

Step 3: Offset Management

Translate emissions to a financial offset cost and communicate to the customer either as an average or a variable charge depending on the relative footprint of each dish.

Purchase offsets according to ongoing consumption.

All Net Zero Now protocols adhere to:

1 Emissions must be calculated in accordance with the appropriate Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol methodology and include all GHGs
2 Emissions in scope must include all relevant value chain sources
3 Emission reduction targets are mandatory and must be compliant with Science Based Targets criteria and accompanied by credible delivery plans
4 Carbon offset instruments must be certified to recognized standards and the balance between removal and avoidance offsets must align with the Oxford Principles
5 Businesses must share details of their targets and action plans transparently and advocate for widespread adoption of paths to net zero

THE CHALLENGE OF THE 2020s 

Mitigating Climate Change: 

A top priority for food procurers