Responding to increasing pressure on organisations to slash carbon emissions and meet escalating regulatory demands, Planet Mark is unveiling a landmark transformation to its membership model. The Net Zero Certification Programme is designed to guide and empower organisations at every stage of their sustainability journey to turn ambition into reality and achieve net zero.
With a clear and structured pathway, the Net Zero Certification Programme features four levels of certification supported by five tailored membership packages. Additionally, Members gain access to the Planet Mark Academy’s supporting resources, equipping them with tailored tools and guidance at every stage of the certification program to drive measurable progress.
Corresponding to the stages of progression towards achieving net zero, the four levels introduced through the Net Zero Certification Programme are:
- Planet Mark Certified – Business – Awarded with Planet Mark’s support in measuring Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 carbon emissions, establishing a net zero baseline.
- Planet Mark Certified – Net Zero Committed – Earned by setting clear net zero targets and developing a transition plan based on the established net zero baseline, with Planet Mark’s guidance.
- Planet Mark Certified – Net Zero Aligned – Granted upon achieving near-term net zero targets for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon emissions, supported by transparent annual measurement and progress reporting.
- Planet Mark Certified – Net Zero Achieved – Attained by reducing 90% of all Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon emissions compared to the organisation’s original net zero baseline.
Planet Mark Net Zero Certification is a recognised Cooperative Climate Initiative on the UNFCCC’s Global Climate Action Portal. It is also aligned with the principles of the Science Based Targets Initiative Corporate Net Zero Standard.
Planet Mark Data Platform and Academy Accelerate Members’ Path to Net Zero Success
Data from the UK Net Zero Business Census – the largest report of its kind, launched last September and benchmarking the decarbonisation journeys of 2,000+ UK organisations – revealed that while 73% of respondents view net zero as a strategic priority, many face significant barriers such as cost and limited access to expertise. To tackle such challenges, the Net Zero Certification Programme offers Members a range of benefits and wrap-around services around the four levels through its five tailored packages. These packages are thoughtfully designed to guide organisations through each certification level, helping them to maximise their impact, and will adapt to evolving industry standards over time.
The first membership package is designed to help Members achieve Planet Mark Certified – Business by equipping them with the essential tools and guidance to measure, engage, and communicate their sustainability progress effectively. A key feature is Planet Mark’s Data Platform, which supports Members in taking the critical first step of establishing their baseline through a robust and reliable data collection process.
To further aid Planet Mark Members in their net zero journey, all Members will now also have access to the Planet Mark Academy – an online portal providing essential resources to support their net zero journey. The Academy also provides access to workshops, events, and training opportunities. These are designed to help organisations actively embrace sustainable practices, build long-term resilience, and strengthen their knowledge and leadership.
New Certifications Provide Proof to Showcase Sustainability Success
Crucially, the new levels available through the Net Zero Certification Programme offer verifiable proof that Members are taking the right data-driven steps to progress their sustainability journey. This includes a suite of media assets and content to communicate achievements, as well as licensed use of the Planet Mark certification badge in marketing and tenders. This not only provides a competitive edge but also enables organisations to easily identify the actions taken by others within their supply chain. By doing this, the programme aims to inspire action across industry supply chains, a critical step in supporting national net zero targets.
Steve Malkin, CEO and Founder at Planet Mark said: “2025 to 2030 are critical years, with global average temperatures in 2024 breaking records by surpassing the warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time, we must act urgently to protect the future of our planet. We want every organisation to feel empowered to drive impactful change and embed sustainability into their operations. Equally important is recognition for their efforts and the ability to clearly and effectively communicate those achievements to others. Our new Net Zero Certification Programme provides our inspiring community with the structure needed to achieve net zero, engaging their supply chain and ecosystem to do the same for maximum impact in our lifetime.”
Andrew Griffiths, Director of Policy & Corporate Development at Planet Mark said: “Planet Mark’s Net Zero Certification enables organisations to remain ahead of the curve by being fully aligned with best practice principles from all major global standards relating to carbon measurement, target setting, transition planning, governance and progress tracking toward net zero. Advancing through the levels from committed, to aligned, to achieved is the strongest proof that an organisation can give to be publicly recognised for playing a leading role in solving the climate crisis.”
David Hine, General Manager at HighWater said: “Becoming a Planet Mark Member was a natural step for HighWater as a growing business, and aligns with our commitment to enhancing the sustainability of our operations. This partnership reinforces our dedication to creating a greener future with valuable guidance from Planet Mark on our journey towards Net Zero Certification. We’re excited to collaborate with Planet Mark and leverage their expertise to drive meaningful progress.”
Join Planet Mark for an insightful webinar, ‘Achieving Net Zero: How and Why Your Organisation Must Act Now’, on Wednesday, February 12th, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Featuring a number of guest speakers, this session will explore why taking immediate action toward net zero is crucial for your business’s success and provide valuable insights into the Net Zero Certification Programme.
Register now to secure your spot using the link here.
