When it comes to achieving Net Zero, monitoring and measurement are a powerful pair, vital in supporting your progress. Together they act as the eyes and ears of your approach, providing evidence to prove where you’ve been and the impact(s) of where you choose to go next on your Net Zero pathway.

Yet, as important as they are, these concepts can feel overwhelming or overly technical, leaving many unsure where to start or how to assess their Net Zero progress.

In this guide, we’ll demystify monitoring and measurement and give you five key points you need to know to get it right.

  1. Real-time data is key
    Forget spreadsheets updated once a quarter – real-time data is the key to understanding what’s happening across your operations right now. Continuously monitoring energy usage, and emissions, can identify inefficiencies, spot anomalies (like unexpected energy spikes), and give you the direction to act quickly to address them. Real-time data not only supports immediate action but also ensures you’re always on top of your progress toward Net Zero goals.
  1. Technology makes it happen
    Monitoring isn’t just about recording numbers – it’s about how you access and interpret that information. Advanced tools – everything from sensors, energy management platforms, and software like MY ZEERO – provide detailed insights into how and where energy is consumed. These technologies can break down consumption into categories such as lighting, HVAC, and machinery, helping you view elements of your operations in silo, so you can understand the specific opportunities for change, and then prioritise those changes that deliver the greatest impact.
  2. Measure what matters
    Not all metrics are created equal and knowing what to focus on is crucial. Start with energy consumption data across your operations—this will highlight key areas of wastage, which is often the low hanging fruit when it comes to reducing energy usage. Then you can move on to emissions data, including Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (supply chain and product lifecycle). Measuring other indicators, like equipment performance and operational efficiency, will also give you a fuller picture of where improvements can be made.
  3. Benchmark your progress
    Monitoring is only half the story – you also need to measure your performance against your baseline to understand progress. Benchmarking provides a clear indication of where you started, how far you’ve come, and what still needs to be done. The majority of organisations we work with, benchmark against a pre-covid time of 2019.  They use energy monitoring and measuring to collate data against their baseline to track progress, celebrate wins, and build support for next steps. Understanding incremental progress is an extremely powerful motivator, and having interim results to share with internal stakeholders is a good way of firming up support for decisions already made, and the next steps you intend to take.
  4. Avoid common pitfalls
    Yes, data is king however even the best system won’t work without proper implementation. It’s critical to train your team to interpret and act on the data. Don’t rely solely on technology – your people’s behaviours matter too. Crucially, focus on identifying optimisation through the data and then deliver these changes through actionable insights to avoid ‘analysis paralysis.’

Monitoring and measurement might not sound sexy or give you the biggest emission reduction, but they’re the backbone of a successful Net Zero strategy.  With sustainability becoming more prominent in the market, with an increase in percentage of its value when companies are evaluating suppliers, the importance of your company’s Net Zero strategy goes far beyond just compliance.  Therefore, the clearer your understanding of your energy use and emissions, the smarter and more commercially viable your roadmap to Net Zero will be.

So, whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, remember it’s not just about gathering data, it’s about using it.

With the right tools, data and strategy, you’ll navigate the pathway to Net Zero with confidence.

Henry Igoe, Business Development Manager