Mitie has launched Net Zero Navigator 2024, its latest research into decarbonisation trends and the measures organisations can implement on their journey towards net zero.
The report's nine key predictions include an assessment that a third of companies in the United Kingdom are still not confident about predicting their energy usage despite the use of technology for carbon reporting.
With many organisations automating their annual mandatory carbon reporting, they are missing out on more extensive and meaningful insights into their carbon usage which can help develop sustainability strategies.
Advances in technology offer the opportunity for organisations to measure their carbon emissions more regularly throughout the year and track tangible progress so increased measurement will likely become the norm in 2024.
Automation will be central to making this a faster and more efficient process.
The Net Zero Navigator also outlines the fast-growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enhance energy efficiency, with almost three-fifths (57%) of organisations having already implemented AI or IoT to gain insights into their energy usage and carbon emissions.
From forecasting energy supply and demand to increasing the reliability of grid connections, AI’s huge impact on decarbonisation is set to continue in the year ahead.
However, the decarbonisation experts are warning that organisations must exercise caution as any technology which is energy and resource-intensive will require a robust strategy to mitigate its associated costs and energy use.
Otherwise, it could quickly become a major contributor of carbon emissions.
... the predictions and findings from this year’s Net Zero Navigator will provide organisations with ideas, tools, and guidance to make an impact on their emissions in 2024.
However, lingering concerns regarding charging infrastructure and costs will remain, with over a third (35%) of organisations citing charging costs as the biggest barrier to adopting a fully electric fleet.
The report also predicts that in the year ahead, many organisations will rethink and re-evaluate their EV transition plans to ensure they are taking the necessary checks such as infrastructure analysis to drive learnings and eradicate inefficiencies.
Other key predictions and findings from the 2024 Net Zero Navigator include;
The document was compiled by Mitie’s decarbonisation experts in collaboration with sustainability expert and author, Jim McClelland who also shares his predictions on what will be driving the decarbonisation agenda this year.
Pradyumna Pandit, Mitie's Managing Director for Energy and Decarbonisation, comments: “The start of a new year brings the opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards net zero goals and set new resolutions to accelerate their achievement.
From the use of technology in carbon reporting to an increased focus on biodiversity, the predictions and findings from this year’s Net Zero Navigator will provide organisations with ideas, tools, and guidance to make an impact on their emissions in 2024.”
