Net Zero ambitions scuppered by "almost useless" data, HVM Catapult warns

Source: Manufacturing Management

Friday, 7 October 2022

A lack of common carbon emissions reporting standards across industry “risks completely undermining the UK’s drive to Net Zero”, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) has warned in a new report.

Manufacturing produces 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint yet the lack of a common accounting framework for corporates and products means the sector cannot properly track emissions. A universal methodology for measuring and reporting emissions must be developed - with government agreement on which metrics must be used.

There is a particular problem on what are known as ‘Scope Three’ emissions – indirectly produced emissions, such as early materials extraction and processing. These account for up to 90% of emissions and are fundamental to reaching net zero.

The Embodied Emissions and Net Zero report adds that additional assistance will be needed to support SMEs understand and “demystify” carbon accounting. The report warns: “Without a proper auditing and monitoring system in place, there is no way of knowing where the UK manufacturing industry is in terms of working towards and meeting net zero targets.”

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