What does “Net Zero” mean?
Net Zero means that any greenhouse gas emissions released are balanced by removals, through natural carbon sinks or engineered solutions. The UK has enshrined in law a target to achieve Net Zero by 2050, under the Climate Change Act.
The UK’s legal Net Zero targets
- 2050 target – binding in UK law
- Carbon Budgets – 5-year caps on national emissions
- Sixth Carbon Budget – pathway to a 78% reduction by 2035 (vs 1990 levels)
- ZEV Mandate – 100% of new cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2035
The regulatory landscape for companies
How SMARTech energy can help
Carbon accounting & reporting
SMARTech offers GHG (Greenhouse gas) report and SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) support in partnership with Greenly. This helps clients establish credible, science-aligned emissions reduction goals.
Guaranteed energy & carbon savings
Through Energy Efficiency-as-a-Service (EEaaS), SMARTech provides solutions guaranteed to reduce energy consumption by 15-33%. This offers clients a way to cut emissions and operational cost simultaneously.
Net Zero roadmap / Transition planning
SMARTech provides Net Zero Roadmap Strategy services: helping clients define their path, set milestones, plan investments, prioritise interventions.
Energy audits, Energy monitoring & management
Detailed audits (e.g., ESOS, SECR, or bespoke audits) to identify waste, inefficiencies, and large energy loads.
Monitoring systems to track energy use and validate reductions, helping client organisations see where consumption occurs and what changes are working.
Technology implementation & services
Deployment of energy-saving technologies: lighting (LED), solar PV, power factor correction, motor and process optimisation, etc. These cut both energy use and indirect emissions (Scope 2 and, sometimes, Scope 3).
EEaaS lets clients access these technologies with lower capital outlay, sharing savings rather than making large upfront investments. This lowers barriers.
Supporting business to meet regulatory & voluntary standards
Helping with compliance: ESOS, SECR, reporting for investors, etc.
Helping companies prepare for or align with voluntary or upcoming requirements (e.g. transition plans) so you are ahead of policy shifts.
Putting this together, these are the major benefits of using SMARTech’s services in your Net Zero journey:
- Clear, credible data and targets — you know where you stand and where you’re going (via carbon accounting + SBTi).
- Reduced emissions and lower energy costs.
- Risk reduction: mitigating exposure to regulatory risk, carbon pricing, energy price volatility.
- Access to green finance / better ESG credentials.
- Avoidance of upfront capital costs in many cases (via EEaaS / savings-sharing models).
- Enhanced stakeholder confidence (customers, investors, regulators, employees).
What medium–large businesses can do
1. Set targets & transition plans
- Align to the Sixth Carbon Budget trajectory
- Develop a board-approved plan using the UK’s Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) framework
2. Reduce energy use first
- Achieve 15–30%+ savings through LED, SMART controls, compressed air optimisation, HVAC efficiency, and heat recovery
3. Decarbonise heat & power
- Electrify heating and processes
- Install on-site renewables (solar PV, PPAs)
- Use REGO-backed electricity procurement
4. Tackle supply chain (Scope 3)
- Engage suppliers
- Prioritise low-carbon materials
- Build transparency into procurement
5. Report & disclose confidently
- Prepare SECR reports annually
- Integrate ESOS audits with investment planning
- Ready your board for transition plan expectations
