Net zero Is a Journey, Not a Target: Carbon Trust

Q: How does Carbon Trust’s experience in driving climate action globally translate into specific strategies for organizations and governments in Mexico?

A: We have experts in numerous areas, including climate policy, clean energy, energy transition, agriculture, energy transmission, and many others. We do not focus on a single sector or speak exclusively to one type of people; we seek to have experts who can communicate effectively with everyone involved. 

Q: What specific characteristics in Mexico make it difficult for it to adopt net-zero strategies? 

A: While many in Mexico talk about transitioning to renewable energy sources, over 1 million people do not have access to energy and almost 50 million experience energy poverty. There are still people who depend on firewood to meet their energy needs. The real challenge is not leaving those communities excluded. 

Mexico is in a vulnerable position because it depends heavily on fossil fuels and exports a lot of raw materials, like oil. Any initiative related to net zero must address both the social aspect and the implementation of new technologies. We are seeking common goals because the transition is not just an objective but a path. We seek to establish collaborations with foundations, receive support from various international entities, and involve interested governments, the private sector and civil society. Our strategy is to transform this challenge into an opportunity.

Q: What collaborative role do you envision energy companies playing in Mexico’s energy transition? How can Carbon Trust facilitate and guide their involvement?

A: There are no good guys and bad guys. The role of companies, whether wind, solar, or oil and gas, is to find a common point. If temperatures increase over 1.5° C, the consequences will be catastrophic. The first step is to create awareness. 

The role of energy companies is to work in collaboration with society and governments, but change does not depend on a single sector or entity. Awareness must be global and national.

There is nothing more powerful than the strength of the consumer. New generations will reject products made with fossil fuels. Consumers and the adoption of these new technologies demand change, and the same will happen with energy.

Q: What are the typical steps an organization, particularly energy companies, undertake when working with the Carbon Trust to achieve net-zero status?

A: The first step is to understand what a company will achieve by joining this movement, because it becomes a lifestyle. It involves changing entire paradigms of the organization. The first step is for companies to understand why they are changing and know that the goal is not the path.

Companies first have to diagnose themselves, which can be a difficult step. We later support them on the path to set ambitious reduction goals. However, setting goals is not enough; companies must be adequately supported. Next comes taking action. Companies must analyze and choose the actions that will require less effort and generate fewer carbon emissions. Transparency is crucial throughout the process, not only in measurement and data, but also internally. Once a company reports transparency, it must start again, measure again, set even more ambitious goals, and repeat.

Q: What value does the Carbon Trust’s certifications bring to organizations in terms of reputation and stakeholder trust?

A: We have a carbon footprint label and a carbon neutrality certification. We are also measuring the organizational carbon footprint. As an organization, we do not want these certifications to become a mere selling point because they have to bring a structural and conscious change. Consumers will prefer products that consider decarbonization.

Organizations see real benefits once they start this journey, which go beyond financial benefits or brand visibility. The benefits include employee engagement. People prefer to work in organizations that want to decarbonize or that have a social purpose that benefits countries or communities. 

Q: What will be the key trends and priorities in the field of sustainability and climate action in Latin America?

A: Latin America faces challenges due to its size and heterogeneity. While countries like Brazil have a diversified energy matrix oriented toward renewable energies, others like Mexico depend heavily on fossil fuels. Latin America cannot be considered a homogeneous group. There are countries that set the tone, such as Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, which are forming a block in which the migration toward renewable energies can be observed. Some in Latin America are also promoting green hydrogen, a technology that is considered promising despite being new.

Despite political fluctuations, the path toward sustainability is on the federal agendas of many countries, which is a positive and encouraging trend. There is a real willingness to take action.

Carbon Trust partners with leading businesses, governments, and financial institutions to accelerate their journey to net zero. It has a global network of 400 experts, has helped set over 200 science-based targets, and guided more than 3,000 organizations and cities across five continents on their route to net zero.