Net Zero Institute's Maturity Model: Making the Corporate Decarbonization Journey More Approachable

As the urgency around corporate decarbonization accelerates, many companies find themselves asking, "Where do we begin?" At the Net Zero Institute, we’ve developed a 12-step Maturity Model framework to make the journey toward net zero more approachable, flexible, and tailored to each company's specific needs. By breaking the process into manageable steps and allowing companies to jump in where they feel most comfortable, we guide organizations through their decarbonization journey, one step at a time.

What Is the Net Zero Institute's Maturity Model Approach?

The Maturity Model is a comprehensive framework that supports companies through a series of 12 steps—each designed to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and achieve net zero emissions. The model offers a structured pathway, starting with foundational elements like commitment and efficiency, progressing through governance and operational improvements, and culminating in ecosystem leadership.

However, what makes the Maturity Model unique is its flexibility. While the steps follow a natural progression, companies are free to start where they need the most support, whether that’s building a foundational commitment or refining public disclosure practices. This approach allows for a personalized decarbonization roadmap, one that can adapt to the evolving needs of the organization.

A Flexible Approach to Decarbonization

The beauty of the Maturity Model lies in its adaptability. With each step containing four key elements, companies can choose to dive deep into a specific area of need. For instance, a company might start by focusing on energy efficiency before moving on to governance or talent alignment. The journey isn’t rigid—businesses can jump between stages based on their needs, revisiting areas to enhance efforts as their sustainability journey matures.

As the global landscape of decarbonization evolves, the Net Zero Institute continuously works with members and advisors to update the model, ensuring companies stay ahead of the curve. This flexibility ensures businesses have the latest tools and resources to meet both current and future sustainability goals.

Breaking Down the Maturity Model’s Steps

• Foundation: Commitment, Foundation, and Efficiency
  These first steps establish a strong base, focusing on securing leadership buy-in, engaging key stakeholders, and conducting carbon footprint analyses. Efficiency is emphasized through energy audits and waste management strategies that target immediate operational improvements.
  
  
• Governance: Accountability, Value Chain, and Public Disclosure
  This phase focuses on the infrastructure needed to manage decarbonization efforts. Companies will work to establish measurement frameworks, engage stakeholders across the value chain, and implement public disclosure processes like Science-Based Targets (SBTi) or Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting.
  
  
• Operations: Energy, Operations, and Talent
  As businesses progress, the focus shifts to internal operations. Steps include electrifying facilities and fleets, refining product lifecycles to reduce scope 3 emissions, and aligning talent acquisition and compensation with sustainability goals.
  
  
• Ecosystem Leadership: Communication, Validation, and Ecosystem Leadership
  The final steps position companies as leaders within the sustainability ecosystem. Companies are encouraged to communicate transparently about their progress, obtain third-party certifications, and engage in external collaboration to drive policy and collective action.
  
  

Support at Every Step

For each step, the Net Zero Institute is building a variety of tailored resources—workshops, tools, peer cohorts, and mentoring programs—to ensure businesses receive the guidance they need. Whether you’re looking to get executive buy-in, refine scope 3 emissions tracking, or lead through ecosystem collaboration, our support is designed to meet you at every stage of the journey.

Looking Ahead

The path to net zero doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Net Zero Institute’s 12-step Maturity Model offers a flexible, supportive framework that helps companies focus on their most immediate needs while providing a clear path to long-term sustainability. By breaking down the decarbonization journey into manageable steps, businesses can approach their net zero goals with confidence, backed by a community of leaders and experts driving meaningful change.

Whether you're just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to refine your existing efforts, the Maturity Model provides the roadmap, resources, and community to help you succeed.