The Challenge
A facility committed to carbon neutrality by 2026. To claim carbon neutral status, they needed: certified emissions baseline, measurement system, offset purchases, and third-party audit — all lacking.
What Became Visible
Initial assessment revealed: (1) No facility-specific carbon baseline existed. (2) Energy data was incomplete (some systems not metered). (3) No tracking for Scope 3 (supply chain). (4) No process for offset purchases or verification. (5) No third-party audit framework. To achieve credible carbon neutrality, the facility needed to build a complete carbon accounting system.
What Changed
Comprehensive carbon accounting system implemented: facility-wide metering, Scope 1/2/3 emissions quantification, annual carbon footprint report, offset purchase framework with third-party certified credits, annual third-party verification.
How it worked: A baseline emissions measurement was established (₹4.2 crore CO2e annually). Offset targets were set: reduction target first (₹3.0 crore CO2e through efficiency), then neutralization of remainder (₹1.2 crore CO2e via certified carbon offsets). Carbon offset purchases from verified renewable energy projects in India were made annually. Third-party auditor verified baseline and offset coverage.
Results
facility-wide annual
via efficiency projects
third-party certified
third-party audited
Carbon neutral certification requires systematic measurement and offset verification. Credible neutrality is data-intensive and requires third-party validation.
Operational Reality
Facilities achieving carbon neutrality require 12–18 months to establish baseline measurement systems and offset purchasing frameworks.