The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has a powerful role to play in tackling the climate emergency with many people looking to charities to lead us into a fair and inclusive low-carbon future. However with many charities facing financial challenges, making Net Zero a reality is sometimes a challenge.
On Thursday 4th December 2025 we hosted a webinar for the sector sharing our insights and experiences. We also ran polls to understand more about Net Zero and the VCSE sector. Participants shared that the main driver for them reducing their environmental impact was ‘an alignment with our organisation’s core missions and values‘. In addition, 57% of people on the webinar marked the main barrier progressing Net Zero was the ‘financial cost of implementation.’
You can find the recording of the webinar below. Alternatively, read on to gain some of the webinar highlights, including why Net Zero matters in the VCSE sector, how charities can get started on their Net Zero journey, what practical actions they can take and the role of the Carbon Reduction Plan.
If you are looking for support with your journey, don’t hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation phone call with a Sustainable Business Consultant.
What Net Zero Really Means
Net Zero describes the point at which the greenhouse gas emissions we produce are balanced by those removed from the atmosphere. Reaching Net Zero involves a combination of:
- Avoiding carbon-intensive activities
- Reducing emissions through efficiency
- Replacing high-carbon options with lower-carbon alternatives
- Removing or offsetting the small amount of emissions that remain
For VCSEs, these emissions come from energy use in buildings, staff travel, procurement decisions, waste, and wider supply chain impacts.
Why Net Zero Matters to the VCSE Sector
For many VCSEs, environmental issues may not seem like the primary mission. However, the sector’s carbon footprint directly connects to its ability to deliver long-term positive social impact. Acting on climate change can:
- Reduce running costs
- Increase organisational resilience
- Demonstrate leadership to funders and partners
- Align with emerging procurement requirements
- Support the wellbeing of the communities organisations serve
Taking early action also ensures VCSEs are ready for growing expectations around environmental reporting and sustainable operations.
Where to Begin: Five Practical First Steps
Getting started doesn’t need to be overwhelming. A successful Net Zero journey typically begins with these core foundations:
1. Secure senior and trustee support
Leadership buy-in is essential for setting direction, approving resources, and embedding sustainability within organisational decision-making.
2. Clarify goals and community priorities
Understanding how climate action links to your organisation’s purpose helps shape a meaningful strategy. For many VCSEs, this includes responding to challenges such as fuel and food poverty, improving local wellbeing, or supporting community resilience.
3. Measure your carbon footprint
A baseline assessment highlights your biggest areas of impact and identifies where improvements will be most effective.
4. Engage staff and volunteers
Creating a culture of sustainability unlocks new ideas, generates enthusiasm and ensures progress is shared across the organisation.
5. Develop a plan
A structured Carbon Reduction Plan turns ambition into action, helping you map short-term “quick wins” and longer-term investments.
Understanding Emissions and Supply Chains
VCSE organisations often underestimate the influence they have through purchasing choices. Supply chain emissions can be significant – from the goods and services bought, to the environmental performance of contractors and partners.
Understanding where these emissions come from helps organisations build sustainability into procurement and encourage responsible practices across the community.
Carbon Reduction Actions: Avoid, Reduce, Replace, Remove
Once an organisation understands its carbon footprint, it can begin to identify opportunities for improvement:
Avoid
Prevent emissions at the source by cutting unnecessary activities – for example, reducing travel where virtual options work just as well.
Reduce
Improve efficiency through energy-saving behaviours, building upgrades or better route planning.
Replace
Switch to low-carbon alternatives, such as renewable energy tariffs, electric vehicles, or sustainable suppliers.
Remove
As a final step, address any unavoidable emissions through credible carbon removal or sequestration initiatives.
Together, these actions could support 90–95% of emissions reductions.
The Role of Carbon Reduction Plans and PPN 06/21
Larger public-sector contracts now require suppliers to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan under Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN06). While many VCSEs fall below the financial threshold, understanding and adopting this approach brings multiple benefits:
- Clear targets
- Transparent reporting
- Stronger funding applications
- Alignment with future procurement expectations
A Carbon Reduction Plan essentially outlines your baseline, your targets and your actions for reducing emissions year on year.
Steps to Becoming a Net Zero Organisation
The path to Net Zero is a cycle of continuous improvement:
- Measure your carbon footprint
- Plan and act to reduce emissions
- Report your progress
- Repeat annually
This structured approach ensures your organisation stays on track, adapts to new challenges and celebrates achievements along the way.
How Groundwork Can Help Your Organisation Reach Net Zero
Groundwork has decades of experience supporting organisations to understand and reduce their environmental impact. Our Sustainable Business Consultant can support VCSEs with the following services:
- Carbon footprint measurement and reporting
- Carbon Reduction Plans and Net Zero strategies
- Resource efficiency audits
- Environmental training for staff and trustees
- Supply chain and procurement guidance
- Ongoing sustainability support and verification services