Climate-Positive UK Brands: Who’s Doing It Right?

Choosing where to spend your money is one of the most powerful ways to support a sustainable future. But with terms like "carbon neutral," "net zero," and "climate positive" used so frequently, it can be difficult to know which businesses are truly making a difference. This guide will help you understand these concepts, identify credible climate-positive UK brands, and make more informed decisions as a consumer or business leader.

We will explore what it means to go beyond simply neutralising an environmental footprint. We'll look at the criteria for genuine climate action, spotlight UK companies leading the way, and provide practical advice for spotting greenwashing.

Demystifying Climate Terminology: Net Zero vs Climate Positive

Before we can celebrate the brands doing it right, we need to understand the language they use. The differences between these terms are significant.

Carbon Neutral vs Net Zero

Carbon neutrality is about balance. A company achieves this by calculating its carbon emissions and "offsetting" an equivalent amount. This is often done by purchasing carbon credits, which fund projects that reduce or remove CO2 elsewhere, like planting trees or investing in renewable energy.

Net zero is a more ambitious and scientifically robust goal. It requires a company to reduce its emissions as much as possible across its entire value chain (including suppliers and customers, known as Scope 3 emissions). Only the small amount of residual emissions that are impossible to eliminate can be neutralised through carbon removal projects.

Common Pitfalls:

• Low-Quality Offsets: Not all carbon credits are created equal. Some may not deliver the promised carbon savings.
• Double Counting: The same carbon reduction could be claimed by both the project developer and the company buying the credit.
• Ignoring Scope 3: Many "carbon neutral" claims only cover direct operations (Scope 1 and 2), ignoring the much larger footprint of the supply chain.

Climate Positive: The New Frontier

Climate positive (or carbon negative) goes one step further. A climate-positive company removes more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it emits. It’s not just about balancing the scales; it’s about tipping them in favour of the planet.

This requires a deep commitment: first reducing emissions drastically and then investing in high-quality removal projects that exceed the company's remaining footprint.

The UK Policy Landscape: Driving Corporate Action

The UK government has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This national ambition creates a framework that encourages businesses to decarbonise. Regulations like the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework require large UK companies to disclose their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

This top-down pressure means more brands are integrating climate strategy into their core business. For consumers and procurement managers, it signals that a company's climate claims should be backed by transparent data and a clear plan.

What Does "Doing It Right" Actually Look Like?

Genuine climate leadership isn't about flashy marketing. It’s about rigorous, transparent, and verifiable action. Here are the key criteria for evaluating a brand's climate credentials.

• Science-Based Targets (SBTs): The company has committed to emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C. These targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
• Verified Reporting: Claims are backed by transparent, third-party audited reports. Look for compliance with standards like PAS 2060 for carbon neutrality.
• High-Quality Carbon Removals: The company invests in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere (e.g., biochar, direct air capture), not just avoid future emissions.
• Deep Decarbonisation: The focus is on reducing emissions within their own operations and supply chain, not just offsetting them.
• Radical Transparency: The business openly shares its footprint, reduction progress, and details of its offsetting or removal projects.
• Third-Party Certification: Accreditations like B Corp certification show a company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

UK Brands Leading the Charge

Here are a few examples of brands operating in the UK that demonstrate a credible commitment to climate action, based on the criteria above. This is not an endorsement, but an analysis of their publicly stated strategies.

Fashion: Finisterre

This Cornish surf and outdoor apparel brand is a certified B Corp. Finisterre has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, from using recycled materials to offering repair services to extend the life of its garments. They transparently report on their impact and have set ambitious targets for further reducing their footprint.

Utilities: Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy has disrupted the UK energy market with its focus on 100% renewable electricity. As a B Corp, its business model is built around accelerating the transition to green energy. They invest heavily in renewable generation and smart technologies that help customers reduce their own energy consumption, tackling emissions at the source.

Food & Drink: The Small Beer Co.

Another certified B Corp, this London-based brewery was the first in the city to achieve the certification. They focus on sustainability across their entire operation, from using 100% renewable energy to recovering water from their brewing process. Their commitment demonstrates that even smaller businesses can implement impactful, climate-friendly practices.

Finance: Tribe Impact Capital

As a B Corp wealth management firm, Tribe Impact Capital is dedicated to investments that deliver positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. They provide transparent impact reporting, showing clients exactly how their investments contribute to goals like climate action. This moves the financial sector from a passive to an active role in the green transition.

How to Be a Conscious Consumer or Buyer

You have the power to drive change. Whether you are shopping for yourself or procuring for a business, asking the right questions is key.

Questions to Ask Brands:

• Do you have Science-Based Targets? Are they public?
• Do you report your full Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?
• Can you provide details about your carbon offset or removal projects?
• How are you actively reducing emissions in your own operations and supply chain?
• Are you certified by a third party like B Corp or SBTi?

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Vague claims like "eco-friendly" or "green" with no data to back them up.
• A focus on offsetting without mentioning any internal emission reduction efforts.
• Claims of being "carbon neutral" that only cover a single product or office, not the whole company.
• Lack of transparency or unwillingness to answer questions about their climate strategy.

How Opure Can Help

Navigating the world of corporate sustainability can feel complex. At Opure, we believe in the power of clear, credible information to drive meaningful change. We are dedicated to helping businesses and individuals understand their environmental impact and take effective action. Whether you're developing a sustainability strategy or simply want to learn more, we are here to guide you.

Conclusion

The shift from net zero to climate positive marks a new era of corporate responsibility. The brands "doing it right" are those that embrace transparency, commit to deep decarbonisation, and invest in high-integrity solutions to not only balance their impact but to actively heal the planet. By asking critical questions and supporting these leaders, we can all contribute to a truly sustainable economy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main difference between climate positive and carbon neutral?

A: Carbon neutral means a company balances its carbon emissions by funding an equivalent amount of carbon offsets. Climate positive (or carbon negative) means a company goes further, removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits, creating a net environmental benefit.

Q2: Are B Corps always climate positive?

A: Not necessarily. B Corp certification requires a company to meet very high standards of overall social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. While many B Corps have strong climate goals, being climate positive is not a mandatory requirement for certification.

Q3: How can I verify a brand's climate claims?

A: Look for third-party verification. Check if they have targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), are a certified B Corp, or have their carbon neutrality claims verified against a standard like PAS 2060. Transparent impact reports on their website are also a good sign.

Q4: Is offsetting a bad thing?

A: Offsetting is a tool, not a solution in itself. It becomes problematic when used as a shortcut to avoid making real reductions in a company's own emissions. High-quality offsetting and removal projects are a crucial part of a credible climate strategy, but only after a company has done everything it can to reduce its footprint first.