- Treat decarbonisation as a core business discipline by embedding carbon goals into decision-making to unlock efficiencies and long-term value.
- Start with strong foundations: secure leadership commitment, build a comprehensive emissions inventory (Scope 1, 2, and 3), and set ambitious yet credible targets.
- Integrate and sustain action by embedding carbon considerations into procurement, investments, and operations while building internal capability and governance.
- Grant Thornton UAE helps organisations move from planning to delivery, supporting emissions inventories, target setting, governance, and compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 11/2024.
The benefit of action
Turning ambition into action is the hardest part of decarbonisation. With disclosure rules tightening, investors linking capital to climate performance, and customers demanding emissions data, the cost of inaction is rising.
But the benefit of action is greater. A structured, evidence-based approach can help organisations move beyond discussion and begin delivering tangible results.
In our work with businesses across a variety of sectors, we’ve seen that progress accelerates when decarbonisation is treated as a business discipline, rather than just a sustainability project. Companies that integrate carbon goals into decision-making unlock measurable efficiencies and long-term value.
From strategy to measureable impact
Decarbonisation won’t succeed through isolated efforts.
It requires broad-based support and collaboration across the entire organisation, driven by strong leadership. Clearly defined ownership, aligned with broader business objectives, ensures that decarbonisation is a strategic priority.
Strong internal commitment sustains momentum and sends a clear signal to customers, investors, and regulators that your organisation views emissions management as a driver of long-term value.
Effective decarbonisation begins with understanding your emissions baseline.
Establishing a comprehensive emissions inventory covering Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain) emissions is foundational to any credible decarbonisation strategy.
While perfect data may not be available at the outset, it is far better to begin with the available best estimates than to delay. Transparency around assumptions and the use of proxy data is essential, not only for building trust but also for demonstrating a clear commitment to improving data quality over time. The goal is to identify emissions hotspots, prioritise reduction opportunities, and prepare for evolving disclosure requirements.
Design your emissions measurement systems for scalable, ongoing use, enabling informed decision-making and consistent reporting.
Targets turn ambition into commitment.
They provide direction, help prioritise actions and signal seriousness to stakeholders.
Decide early on your level of ambition, whether aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or establishing robust internal goals tailored to your operations.
We’ve found that credible targets balance ambition with feasibility. By identifying practical carbon reduction levers, understanding the costs and benefits, and embedding targets into business planning, decarbonisation becomes a day-to-day activity, not just an external obligation.
Decarbonisation delivers the greatest impact when it’s woven into day-to-day business decisions.
It should influence strategy development, procurement, capital investment, and operational planning.
Procurement teams can favour suppliers with strong emissions data and reduction plans. Capital projects should consider carbon impacts from the outset. Operational teams can optimise energy use and streamline processes to reduce both emissions and costs.
Embedding carbon considerations across the business helps mitigate market, regulatory, and reputational risks over the long term.
Decarbonisation isn’t a one-off initiative.
It is a discipline that depends on building internal capability and resilience.
This includes training teams, improving data systems, and refining governance structures to keep efforts on track. Pilot projects can be valuable for testing approaches, demonstrating impact, and building confidence for broader implementation.
Regular reviews ensure your strategy remains responsive to changing conditions, emerging technologies, and evolving stakeholder expectations.
How Grant Thornton UAE can help
Wherever you are on your decarbonisation journey, we can support you in moving from planning to delivery with confidence. Our approach supports organisations in building robust emissions inventories, setting ambitious yet achievable targets, integrating climate goals into core decision-making, and strengthening governance frameworks.
This is especially important as Federal Decree-Law No. 11/2024 introduces new obligations around GHG reporting, target setting, and climate risk management. We help organisations navigate these requirements, embed carbon into procurement and investment decisions, and ensure that compliance efforts also unlock real operational and reputational value.
