5 powerful tips to start your decarbonisation journey

“Your first step in decarbonisation may feel small, but together, small steps gain unstoppable momentum.” 

Before every transformation, there is a first step. For organisations beginning their decarbonisation journey, that step often feels overwhelming. Terms such as carbon neutrality, science based targets, and net-zero sustainability dominate the conversation. Yet the question remains: what can we do to begin? 

Starting strong is not about perfection. It is about setting the right groundwork, aligning your carbon management practices with your organisation’s capacity, and building momentum. Here are five practical and motivational steps to help you confidently commence your journey towards a low-carbon future. 

1. Measure before you manage 

No decarbonisation strategy can advance without a clear picture of today’s emissions. A full carbon footprint measurement, covering Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant parts of Scope 3, will reveal where the biggest impacts lie. 

Scope 3 is where many businesses find unexpected challenges. Upstream suppliers, distribution networks, and product lifecycles often account for most emissions. Tackling these early, even with high-level estimates, ensures action plans are grounded in reality and not assumption. 

Download our newest Scope 3 decarbonisation guide for more tips & insights.

This step forms the backbone of carbon accounting and builds credibility with stakeholders who expect reliable disclosure (1). 

2. Build a coalition of stakeholders 

Effective decarbonisation requires collective engagement—achieving net zero is rarely achieved in isolation. Stakeholder mapping allows you to identify champions and potential blockers. 

Invest time to understand: 

• Who influences strategic decision-making, 
• Which departments drive the largest emissions, 
• Which suppliers or customers are critical in shaping carbon outcomes. 

This coalition-building is not about bureaucracy, it is about positioning sustainability at the centre of organisational DNA. When stakeholders feel informed and involved, carbon reduction targets move from paper commitments to cultural practice. 

Our on-demand session on decarbonisation will help you to differentiate the wide stakeholder groups into an effective categorisation such as:

Watch now to find out more!

3. Set ambitious yet achievable targets 

Targets give direction, but they must be credible. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides a framework to ensure emissions targets are science aligned rather than arbitrary. A decarbonisation strategy that adopts the SBTi communicates a clear message to investors and employees: 

Our ambition is real, not symbolic. 

The most effective targets are structured in layers: 

• Near-term achievable milestones (such as energy efficiency and low-carbon procurement), and 
• Longer-term net-zero sustainability goals (covering full value chains). 

This journey of ambition, supported by data, enables organisations to build a resilient reputation on climate leadership. If you are interested to learn more about science-based targets, start by dow loading our free factsheet!

4. Integrate risk management into decision-making 

Climate-related risks are no longer abstract. They translate into tangible financial, operational, and legal consequences. By embedding risk management into the decarbonisation journey, businesses can identify vulnerabilities early. 

For example, energy price volatility can amplify costs for carbon-intensive operations, while shifting regulations such as carbon taxes impose new liabilities. Mapping these risks during the early stages allows leaders to develop a proactive, future-proof decarbonisation strategy (2). 

With these foresight mechanisms, organisations protect both their operations and their credibility. 

Sign up to our webinar about climate risk management and get first-hand advice from our experts.

5. Celebrate momentum through tangible action 

The worst mistake at the beginning is to wait for a perfect plan. Decarbonisation gains momentum through tangible first steps, not elaborate strategies that never leave the page. 

Introduce immediate actions such as: 

• Switching to renewable electricity contracts, 
• Improving building energy efficiency, 
• Revisiting staff travel policies. 

Every action reinforces internal belief and builds external trust. These early achievements serve as proof points that cultivating carbon neutrality goes beyond the theoretical, and can be achieved starting today. 

Steps towards the net-zero future 

Starting the decarbonisation journey means realising that every significant transformation begins with a first step. By measuring emissions, building coalitions, setting science-based targets, embedding risk management, and acting with immediacy, organisations lay the foundation for credible climate leadership. 

The destination may be ambitious, but with the right start, that destination becomes entirely possible. 

Nexio Projects as your climate partner 

Nexio Projects is your trusted sustainability consultancy in the Netherlands, helping organisations move from compliance to purpose. As recognised climate experts, our decarbonisation consultants turn sustainability ambitions into action. 

How we support you: 

• Net zero & decarbonisation – design emissions reduction strategies and set SBTi-aligned targets 
• Climate risk & reporting – simplify CSRD, TCFD, and CDP disclosures while strengthening resilience 
• Product sustainability – uncover full life cycle impacts and reduce environmental footprint 
• ESG advisory – enhance ESG ratings and align sustainability strategies with your goals 

As a Certified B Corporation, EcoVadis Platinum-rated partner, and Verdantix-recognised top consultancy, Nexio Projects empowers organisations worldwide to achieve climate resilience, carbon neutrality, and long-term value creation. 

Take charge of your supply chain emissions and stay aligned with global best practices.
Schedule a consultation with Nexio Projects to discover customised decarbonisation strategies and expert carbon accounting solutions.

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References

1. GHG Protocol (2021). “Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.” World Resources Institute and WBCSD. 
2. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (2021). “Guidance on Risk Management Integration and Disclosure.” TCFD.