Cutting our carbon emissions

What do we mean by ‘net zero’?

To tackle climate change we all need to significantly reduce our carbon emissions. The goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Forests help reduce the impact of climate change and they play an important role. But the world can't rely on offsetting by trees to decarbonise. We need to tackle the cause of the problem first to eliminate as much carbon as we can. Our net zero pledge aims to do this.

We're setting a science-based target to decarbonise our organisation, to remove our dependence on fossil fuels so that we reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

How will we meet this target?

We’re focussing on reducing our energy consumption and removing fossil fuel use for heating, lighting, powering equipment and travel needs. 

• We have already been working towards reducing our energy needs as far as possible, and using what we do need more efficiently.
• We are planning how we can produce more of our own clean energy using the land we manage, sourcing and producing energy from solar, wind and hydro power. 
• Between now and 2030, we will put in the smart energy, storage and communication infrastructure across the country, so we can continue our work without depending on fossil fuels. 
• We're reducing vehicles emissions by travelling less and using more sustainable modes when we do. Where possible, we are replacing fleet vehicles with electric and low emission models and installing charging points. 
• We'll continually measure and review our emissions, always eliminating avoidable emissions first before identifying the best ways to offset any remaining in order to meet our goal.

Beyond 2030

Our mission is to be a climate positive organisation. We are committed to expanding the nation's forests, but we want to go beyond that. We want to create more environmental benefits by how we use our infrastructure.