Are you prepared to report on your GHG emissions?

Attention Business Leaders Engaging with California: 

Major Shift in Environmental Compliance 

California has ushered in a groundbreaking era of environmental accountability with its latest legislation. If your business operates in California and boasts an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, you’re now mandated to report your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year. Companies with revenues over $500 million aren’t exempt either – you’ll need to report biennially.  

What This Means for Your Business: 

Beginning in 2026, transparency in your environmental impact becomes non-negotiable. Your business will be required to comprehensively disclose all direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) and those from your purchased energy (Scope 2). By 2027, this expands to include Scope 3 emissions, encompassing emissions from your entire supply chain and the lifecycle of your products and services. 

The Timeline is Tighter Than You Think: 

The California Air Resources Board is set to finalize these regulations by January 1, 2025. While there’s talk of potential amendments in 2024 that might extend deadlines, this shouldn’t be a reason for complacency. There are other trends in the market that are also pushing decarbonization moves from “nice-to-haves” to “must-haves.” Companies that successfully navigate these pressures and trends will become “Successful Adopters” (winners), and those that don’t will become “Unsuccessful Bystanders” (losers). The time to prepare and adapt is now. 

Why It Matters: 

Adhering to these regulations isn’t just about compliance; it’s a commitment to sustainable practices that will shape the future of your business and the planet. Early preparation not only ensures you meet legal requirements but also positions your business as a leader in environmental stewardship.  

According to the recent Reuters Impact Global Sustainability Report that surveyed 570 senior professionals working in sustainability, regulatory pressures are only the third reason stated for pursing action. The top two are: “Central part of our brand purpose/values/or our company” and “Opportunities for growth”. ¹

How to start, smart: 

Cascade Energy has a proven history of helping industry eliminate energy waste and decarbonize, spanning for more than 30 years, at over 1,500 manufacturing sites throughout North America. Our time-tested industrial programs lead companies to commit to decarbonization results, set their people up for success, and maximize the financial benefits along the way. 

The Cascade Decarbonization Framework, is comprised of the following guiding principles which will not only guide you down the reporting journey required by the California regulatory change, but will also put you on the path to reduce your company’s emissions: 

1. Relentlessly cut energy waste: By cutting energy waste, you immediately reduce emissions and put money back in your pocket. With systematic persistence and building a culture of continual improvement, you can make efficiency last longer than solar panels. 
2. Set people up for success: Allocate staffing and train energy teams across the organization, then assign achievable targets and hold people accountable for the results. It’s important to communicate and engage all levels of staff and keep them engaged and invested in the changes you will need to make. 
3. Dedicate funding, invest wisely: Set expectations that decarbonization projects will be completed across the company and dedicate funds to do so effectively. There are incentives available through your utility, as well as through diverse government resources, to help ease the cost of decarbonization. These incentives can help you cover the cost of identifying projects, training, equipment, and other rebates. Let us help connect you with these opportunities!
4. Don’t throw away your shot to electrify: Seize the moment of end-of-life replacements of capital equipment. Look into cutting energy waste across thermal systems and get ready to electrify when the time is right. Research technologies, find vendors, develop expertise, and make a plan. 
5. Buy just enough clean energy: Clean electricity generation is critical to eliminating in-plant emissions, but it can be costly. By implementing energy efficient practices, you can make progress today while keeping an eye on the horizon for the next cost-effective solutions. 

Embrace this opportunity to redefine your business’s impact on the environment and lead the way in a greener, more sustainable future. Whether you have a handle on your data or you need a little help, we all want to work smart. Not sure where to start, contact one of our decarbonization experts today. We are wired to cut waste, set your people up for success, and justify the investments you’ll need to make to achieve your goal. 

Sources

1. Five charts to educate your sustainability strategy in 2024. Reuters Events, December 2023.