Path to Net Zero
Your path to net zero: a step-by-step guide for Irish businesses
Net zero means cutting your greenhouse gas emissions as far as you can and balancing what is left. Every business's goals, and the way it reaches them, will differ. A hospitality group, a lifestyle brand, a farm and a retailer each have different biggest sources of emissions. But the starting point is the same: measure your baseline. Here is the six-step path, how it works in practice, and where we can help.
Six steps to net zero
Set your ambition
Decide what you are aiming for and by when, and which goals matter to you, such as SDG 12 and SDG 13.
How we help: a free discovery call to understand where you are and what you want to achieve.
Measure your baseline
Work out your current greenhouse gas emissions: Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy) and Scope 3 (everything else, including purchased goods such as packaging). This step is the same for every business.
How we help: our discovery call and short report show where you are today, including your single-use packaging.
Find your biggest sources
Rank where your emissions come from so you act on the largest first. This is where businesses differ: for example energy, fuel, stock, transport or packaging.
Cut the quick wins
Start with changes that are simple and quick, such as reducing single-use items or replacing single-use plastic packaging with compostable alternatives.
How we help: we supply compostable packaging from stock in Dublin.
Set targets
Turn your ambition into reduction targets with dates. Choose targets you can actually achieve, not ones that only sound good.
Track and report
Measure again, record progress and share results with customers and staff.
How we help: we report the items you have replaced and the plastic avoided.
What this looks like in practice
Three practical examples, with different sectors. Same path. Different moves.
- Example
Hospitality group
Most emissions come from: food and energy.
Start with: food waste, by creating a better waste segregation system. We supply compostable packaging, so end of life is easier.
- Example
Retailer
Most emissions come from: stock and transport.
Start with: reusing shipping boxes, or choosing the right box size so items do not need protective layers.
- Example
Farm
Most emissions come from: fuel, energy and inputs.
Start with: switching small energy uses to renewable energy.
Example: the office coffee cup
Net zero is not only about meeting sustainability goals. Cutting waste = saving money. Let us explain that with an example.
Each person has one coffee, every working day.
Each year. That is 52 weeks of 5 days, less 10 public holidays.
A single-use cup is used once.
Not even counting the cost of disposal.
A mug is bought once, then washed after every use. €0.03 is the cost of one wash.
€0.10 × 20 people × 250 days
€500 / year
€4 × 20 mugs = €80
+ €0.03 × 20 people × 250 days = €150
€230 / year
Savings
€270 / year
Example only: replace these figures with your own.
One single product swap can be equivalent to €270. Now think of all the single-use products around you that can be swapped, for more and more savings.
That is what we do.
We help you save money and meet SDG goals.
So, what is The Alternative Craic approach?
- Measure: every sale is invoiced, and each invoice line shows which plastic item it replaces. We count one compostable item replacing one plastic item, subtract returns, and leave out samples and stickers.
- Calculate: plastic avoided = items multiplied by the weight of the plastic item they replace. Some weights are sourced and some are our own estimates, and we say so.
- Track: we report per quarter and update the figures regularly from our invoices.
- Deliver: our deliveries in Ireland are made in an electric car.
- Be honest: we do not claim a net carbon saving.
Our impact so far
More than 24,000
Since November 2025, our customers have replaced more than 24,000 plastic items with compostable ones, avoiding over 300 kg of plastic.
Calculated from our invoices; item weights are estimates. Exact figures and quarterly detail are on our impact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is net zero?
Net zero means cutting your greenhouse gas emissions as far as you can and balancing what is left. Cutting comes first. Only what you cannot remove is balanced.
What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
Scope 1 is direct emissions from your own sources, Scope 2 is from the energy you buy, and Scope 3 is everything else in your supply chain. For example: company vehicles and boilers (Scope 1), purchased electricity (Scope 2), and purchased goods such as packaging, waste and travel (Scope 3).
Is compostable packaging enough to reach net zero?
No. It is one part, mainly Scope 3 purchased goods, and one step among six. Measuring your baseline shows where your biggest sources are. For some businesses packaging is one of them, for others it is not.
How do the SDGs relate to my business?
SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action) are the two goals most businesses start with. SDG 12 covers using and wasting less, such as cutting single-use items. SDG 13 covers cutting emissions. Your ambition in step 1 can name either or both.
What do I need to get started?
Start with a record of what you use and buy over the last 12 months. Energy and fuel bills, supplier invoices and travel are enough for a first baseline. We can help you work out what to gather.
What happens on the free discovery call?
First, a call to understand where you are, what you want to achieve and how we can help. Then, if useful, a short, actionable report on your starting point and next steps. The call and the report are free.
Start with your baseline
Tell us where you are and what you want to achieve. We will take it from there.