5th July – Net Zero Week

This week is Net Zero Week, so you might be hearing the phrase “Net Zero” used a lot. You’ll likely see it in the news, on social media, even in adverts for everything from banks to burgers!

But what does it really mean? And why should we as pet owners care?

Net zero means cutting the greenhouse gases we produce (like carbon dioxide) as close to zero as possible, then balancing out any leftovers by removing the same amount from the atmosphere.

For example, if a company emits 100 tonnes of carbon, simply removing 100 tonnes through tree planting, carbon offsetting, or clean energy projects would make them carbon neutral. If they choose to offset more than they produce, they become carbon negative (or positive – it may surprise you to know that each means the same thing) - which Agria Pet Insurance in the UK has proudly been for five years.

But to reach net zero, they must first reduce the majority of emissions at the source by switching to renewable energy, cutting waste, and improving efficiency. Only what truly can’t be avoided (like some essential travel or manufacturing) can then be balanced through high-quality offsetting. Imagine a set of scales: with net zero, the goal isn’t just to keep things level, but to make one side, the emissions, as light as possible first, before offsetting what little remains.

So what does this have to do with pets?

More than you might think…

From the food they eat and the products they use, to the way we travel with them or visit the vet, pets, like people, have a carbon footprint.

At Agria, we believe that caring for our pets and caring for the planet go hand in hand. The climate crisis affects animals just as much as humans. Rising temperatures, poor air quality, extreme weather, and the spread of diseases all pose serious risks to pets and wildlife. That’s why sustainability isn’t just a side project for us, it’s a huge part of how we operate.

Agria Pet Insurance in the UK is one of the world’s first carbon positive pet insurers, and we are really proud that our science-based Net Zero targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). These targets are helping us set a clear path to cut our emissions by 90% across our entire business and supply chain by 2040 and reach net zero.

Here are a few things we’re already doing:

Reducing our emissions

· Switching to paperless policies and low-carbon digital services

· Encouraging sustainable pet ownership and choices through our free Carbon Pawprint and Hoofprint calculators

Double offsetting what we can’t yet avoid, while working hard to cut our carbon at source

· Supporting verified offset projects that protect forests, provide clean water, and improve lives in communities around the world

Educating and empowering others

· Helping pet owners make informed, greener choices

· Training our team to lead with climate knowledge and care

Getting to net zero isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes commitment, planning, and teamwork. But every small step, from switching to digital policies, more energy efficient offices, to rethinking how we travel, all adds up.

And we believe that if we all work together, we can protect not just the pets we love, but the planet they live on.

So this Net Zero Week, is there just one thing you can do to tread a little lighter?

Whether it’s measuring your pet’s pawprint, - you can do that here: https://www.agriacarboncalculator.co.uk/, cutting down on waste, or just sharing this message, it all matters.

You can explore the full story of what we’re doing for the planet here:

 https://www.agriapet.co.uk/sustainability/