Climate commitments are everywhere, but credible action remains scarce. For companies serious about sustainability, it’s not enough to announce a Net Zero ambition or purchase carbon offsets. What matters is a data-driven, structured, measurable path to reducing emissions, starting with what you can control today: your energy use.

Reducing your carbon footprint starts with what you can control, like energy, but must expand to include Scope 1, 2, and especially Scope 3 emissions.

In this post, we explore the essential building blocks to build a credible, robust  carbon reduction strategy, from measuring electricity consumption to scaling renewable energy and measuring your full carbon footprint.

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1. Start with energy: measure what you use

Energy consumption is one of the most visible (and manageable) drivers of carbon emissions for most businesses. It also tends to be where data is most accessible, whether through utility bills or landlord reports.

Where to begin:

• Track total energy use over a 12-month period (ideally by kWh)
• Consolidate data in a simple spreadsheet
• Look for high-consumption hotspots and seasonality trends

This foundational step gives companies baseline data which can be used to take climate action, and uncovers opportunities for efficiency that often translate into cost savings, too.

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2. Set energy reduction targets that mean something

Once energy use is measured, it’s time to set targets. The key here is to go beyond vague intentions and commit to time-bound, science-aligned goals. This is where the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) comes in.

What good looks like:

• Set a 20–30% energy reduction target over 3–5 years
• Monitor and update energy data regularly
• Align targets with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

This kind of target-setting transforms sustainability from “nice to have” to a measurable operational priority.

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3. Prioritize renewable energy as a next step

While reducing total energy use is important, switching the energy mix is just as critical. Companies that shift toward renewables significantly reduce their Scope 2 emissions, and this is a great way to communicate to stakeholders like investors and customers that you are taking sustainability seriously.  

Steps to take:

• Review your energy provider’s mix (call them if needed)
• Quantify the percentage of renewable energy used
• Allocate budget to increase it, either through switching providers, purchasing green energy, or exploring on-site solutions

This shift doesn’t just reduce carbon; it also demonstrates environmental responsibility in a way that’s visible and verifiable.

Energy use and sourcing are critical levers—but a full carbon strategy looks beyond them, to include travel, procurement, and operations across the value chain

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4. Measure your full carbon footprint

Energy is just the beginning. A credible carbon strategy must be built on data from a robust carbon footprint (including Scopes 1, 2, and 3) which covers everything from direct operations to supply chains and business travel.

To build a credible footprint:

• Use the Greenhouse Gas Protocol as a framework
• Work with internal teams (and suppliers) to gather the right data
• Translate that data into a full carbon baseline (often companies use carbon accounting platforms or consultants)
  
  

Companies use the carbon footprint to build  a Net Zero pathway, set validated targets, and start reducing emissions.

With your full carbon footprint established, the next step is to track progress over time—and show that your commitments are translating into real results.

5. Track progress and report annually

Once your carbon reduction efforts are underway, make it a habit to measure and report your footprint every year. This helps you stay accountable to your targets and shows stakeholders you're making real progress.

Steps to take:

• Recalculate your Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions annually
• Compare year-on-year changes and flag areas for improvement
• Share updates transparently with your team, investors, or in impact reports
  
  

Why it matters:
Consistent reporting builds trust, keeps momentum, and ensures your Net Zero strategy becomes part of how you operate.

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Final thought: action over announcements

Climate leadership today is about action, not just ambition. That means moving from one-off reports to ongoing processes. And from high-level frameworks to practical, measurable company-wide change.

At Kara, we support both investors and companies in turning climate goals into operational reality. From data collection to strategy execution, we help teams build the internal capacity and external credibility to lead on climate action.

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