Net Zero Eyecare

June 2024 marked the 12^th consecutive month of global heating exceeding 1.5º above pre-industrial levels, with extreme weather already contributing to deaths and distress the world over. Scientists continue to warn that we must pass peak global emissions by 2025 to stand a chance of keeping global heating in line with the Paris Agreement and ensure a safe and just future for humanity.

Plastic Pollution remains a critical consumer issue, and the scourge of microplastics continues as new research finds microplastics in ubiquitously across ecosystems and within every human body part or fluid yet sampled (yep, even there!).

The Optical Industry is a truly international industry rooted firmly in fossil fuels; for product manufacturing and global distribution. Climate and Plastic are two critical issues in which we are most deeply entrenched, and every member of the optical industry shares the responsibility of working for a better future.

Net Zero Eyecare is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2023, with a mission to drive sustainability action in the industry. We have a strong focus on carbon and plastic, but celebrate that true sustainability is about much more than that – carbon and plastic are just really important places to start!

We are primarily a certification body; our certification suites for Practices and Suppliers provide a practical and accessible roadmap for businesses to progress rapidly from “zero” to “Net Zero”. By presenting the world’s most respected standards in carbon accounting and reduction planning to the optical industry, we’re not re-inventing any wheels; we’re just giving the whole industry a clear standard to rally behind, and allowing businesses the opportunity to confidently trust that they’re all fighting the same fight on the same terms – and that everyone’s equitably doing their bit. Take a look at our Group Statement to see the businesses already committed to taking affirmative action with our standards.

We also process Offsetting revenue for businesses, who have completed their full carbon and/or plastic accounts to become carbon/plastic neutral. Offsetting can be a tricky business, so that’s why we’re proud to exclusively offset with the world’s most respected and rigorously monitored carbon credit programmes via the Gold Standard (for Carbon) and via Cleanhub (for Plastic).

Our primary support partners are Practice Building; a UK-based business coaching company specializing in the optical sector. PB run a unique sustainability coaching programme called Net Zero Optics, which includes the necessary audits for businesses against our certification standards. So while we set the roadmaps, PB are there to be your guides. Their first year at this made such massive waves, they were awarded the Optician’s Supplier Of The Year award in 2023!