What a net zero consultancy does
A net zero consultancy helps an organisation get from a measured emissions baseline to a credible plan for reaching net zero.
The UK was the first major economy to make the target legally binding.
The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 20191 raised the 2050 duty from an 80% cut to a 100% reduction in the net UK carbon account versus 1990 — the net zero target.
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy2 sets the pathway and five-year carbon budgets.
Our net zero consultants translate that national framework into a corporate plan: a baseline, a target, a reduction roadmap, and the reporting and claims to evidence it.
Targets and SBTi
A credible net-zero plan starts with a target that reflects climate science, not ambition alone.
The SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard3 is the most widely used framework for validating corporate targets.
Companies may continue to set targets under the current Version 1.3 until 31 December 2027; from 1 January 2028, Version 2.0 applies.
A net zero consultant helps you choose the right pathway, set near-term and long-term targets, and avoid committing to a standard you cannot evidence.
Carbon reduction plans (PPN 006)
If you bid for major UK government contracts, a Carbon Reduction Plan is a procurement gate, not a nice-to-have.
PPN 0064 (formerly PPN 06/21) requires suppliers bidding for contracts of £5 million or more per year to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan and commit to net zero by 2050.
It applies to procurements advertised on or after 24 February 2025.
Carbon-neutrality claims
Net zero and carbon neutrality are not the same thing, and the claims carry real reputational and legal risk if they are not substantiated.
Carbon-neutrality claims should follow ISO 14068-1:20235, which replaced PAS 2060 from 1 January 2025.
The standard prioritises measured reductions before any offsetting, which is also the safest position under UK and EU rules on misleading green claims.
How we help
As your net zero consultancy, we measure the baseline, set a science-aligned target, sequence the reduction roadmap, and prepare the carbon reduction plan or neutrality claim.
The same emissions data also feeds your SECR and UK SRS disclosures.
Carbon Legal is a specialist net zero consultancy, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.
We launch in Q3 2026 and are booking readiness reviews now.
Frequently asked questions
What does a net zero consultancy do?
A net zero consultancy measures an organisation’s greenhouse-gas emissions, sets a credible reduction pathway, and helps deliver and report against it. The UK’s legally binding net zero target — a 100% reduction in net emissions versus 1990 by 2050 — was set by amending the Climate Change Act 2008 in 2019. Net zero consultants translate that national target into a defensible corporate plan.
What is the difference between a net zero consultant and a net zero consultancy?
A net zero consultancy is the firm; a net zero consultant is the specialist delivering the work. The output is the same: a measured baseline, a science-aligned target, a reduction roadmap, and the reporting and claims that go with it.
Do I need a carbon reduction plan to bid for government contracts?
If you bid for major UK government contracts of £5 million or more per year, PPN 006 (formerly PPN 06/21) requires a published Carbon Reduction Plan and a commitment to net zero by 2050. It applies to procurements advertised on or after 24 February 2025. The NHS extends similar requirements to all new framework contracts.
What are science-based targets?
Science-based targets are emissions-reduction goals aligned with limiting global warming in line with the Paris Agreement. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard is the most widely used framework; targets set under Version 1.3 can be submitted until 31 December 2027, after which Version 2.0 applies.
Can you help us make a credible carbon-neutral claim?
Yes. Carbon-neutrality claims should follow ISO 14068-1:2023, which replaced PAS 2060 from 1 January 2025. We measure the footprint, prioritise reductions before offsetting, and document the claim so it withstands scrutiny and avoids greenwashing risk.
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