Carbon reduction strategy

Carbon reduction strategy

Carbon reduction strategy 1920 1080 Greengage Environmental

As part of its ongoing internal sustainability actions Greengage Environmental Ltd. has committed to achieving a net zero position and developed a Carbon Reduction Strategy for 2023 based on its own carbon footprint. The Carbon Reduction Strategy sets out a framework for the implementation of recommended carbon reduction initiatives. Greengage’s carbon footprint (2021) analysis highlighted that energy, transport, procurement, and waste are the highest emitting categories. These areas have therefore formed the target areas for emission reduction.

Figure 2.1 Greengage Carbon Reduction Strategy

carbon reduction


Greengage Carbon Footprint

Greengage’s 2021 carbon emissions have been calculated in line with global reporting requirements, through the application of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG)[1] guidelines and framework[2]. Aligned with the GHG Protocol guidance, the financial control boundary has been applied to carbon accounting. Under the financial control approach, a company accounts for GHG emissions over which it has 100% financial control[3]. Emissions have been categorised and measured across the following Scopes:

  • Scope 1 = Direct Emissions (fuel combustion from internal gas boilers and refrigerants);
  • Scope 2 = Indirect Emissions (electricity purchased and used by the organisation);
  • Scope 3 = All other Indirect Emissions (emissions outside Greengage’s ownership or control, such as, business travel, employee commuting and company purchases).

Table 2.1 Greengage Carbon Footprint 2021

scope 123

Greengage’s Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions (location based) amounted to 12.1 tCO2e. Scope 3 emissions accounted for 21.8 tCO2e. Additionally, Greengage’s overall carbon emissions for 2021 (location based) were 33.9 tCO2e.

Greengage’s carbon footprint is in line with other similar sized sustainability consultancies in the UK.  Greengage’s tCO2e per FTE is 1.0. In comparison to similar sized organisations, Greengage’s carbon emissions per FTE is lower than the average 6.6 tCO2e/ FTE.

Figure 2.2 displays a breakdown of Greengage’s carbon footprint across the three Scopes.

gg carbon emissions


Greengage Carbon Reduction Strategy

ENERGY

Scope 2 emissions are comprised of the indirect emissions from purchased electricity. Greengage purchases electricity from Octopus energy, a renewable energy provider. Octopus’ electricity mix is REGO-backed, 100% renewable energy and this tariff includes additionality. This means Greengage’s market-based emissions due to electricity consumption are 0.

Despite purchasing 100% renewable energy, it remains important for Greengage to strive to reduce the energy use and increase energy efficiency across its offices. Meeting energy intensity targets is essential for UK’s net zero goals as it ensures that the energy demand of all buildings within the country can be met by low carbon energy supply available.

Greengage has nominated Akshita Gupta as the Sustainable Energy Champion to identify and deliver energy efficiency and reduction opportunities across Greengage’s offices.

Energy Champion:

Akshita Gupta

Akshita Gupta 2Akshita is responsible for the delivery of the energy action plan at Greengage. In 2023, Akshita will be implementing energy reduction initiatives at Greengage. Additionally, she will be encouraging behavioural changes through Knowledge Sharing Sessions and active employee engagement.

  • Behavioural changes
  • Hive heating control system
  • Heating and Cooling Temperature set point review
  • Ventilation strategy
  • Engagement with other office users
  • New electrical equipment
  • Landlord engagement
  • Smart meters for Electricity and Gas
  • Installing an EMS/ BMS system
  • Monitoring and Targeting energy consumption.

TRANSPORT

Transport emissions make up 53% of Greengage’s overall emissions coverage. Business travel includes the emissions from the transportation of employees for business-related activities in vehicles owned or operated by third parties. For Greengage, this category includes car, hotel, taxi, train, and underground travel.

Picture6

It is also recommended that employees take into consideration the travel hierarchy when traveling.

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In order to tackle Greengage’s largest emissions category, Alex Hurley and Isobel Novak have been nominated as Greengage’s Sustainable Transport Champions.

Sustainable Transport Champions

Alex Hurley and Isobel Novak

Alex hurleyIsobel Novak

 

 

 

Alex and Isobel are responsible for the implementation of sustainable transport initiatives at Greengage.

  • Avoid unnecessary trips.
  • Car sharing
  • Travel by public transport
  • Car maintenance
  • Improved data collection
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Hybrid/ Electric Zip Cars/ Taxis
  • Electric car scheme

WASTE & PROCUREMENT

Greengage has identified waste as a key area for Greengage’s carbon reduction. Greengage aim to improve data visibility on operational waste and to implement a number of initiatives to improve waste management at Greengage’s offices. The following actions have been identified, and form part of the waste action plan at Greengage.

  • Go digital
  • Employee engagement
  • Improve data capture
  • Reduce office waste
  • Increase durability
  • Landlord Engagement
  • Waste contractor engagement
  • Greengage waste review

Greengage’s Purchased Goods & Services currently makes up a small percentage of overall emissions. However, this category has been identified as a target area for data improvement. Greengages are therefore required to engage with suppliers to capture this information and to implement a number of initiatives for carbon reduction. The following actions have been identified.

  • Supply Chain Review
  • Employee engagement
  • Improve data capture
  • Supply Chain Engagement
  • Vegetarian/ Vegan policy
  • Procurement procedures

Sustainable Waste Champion

Olivia Broughton

20220310 Portrayed Photography IMG 7079Olivia is responsible for the implementation of waste reduction and waste management initiatives at Greengage.

Sustainable Procurement Champion

Kate Mosely

20220310 Portrayed Photography IMG 7064Kate is responsible for the implementation of procurement reduction initiatives. This will be achieved through supply chain engagement and procurement procedures at Greengage.

 

 

EMPLOYEE CARBON

Greengage aims to look beyond its internal carbon footprint and encourage employees to consider their individual carbon footprints. This will be achieved by educating employees about their individual impacts on the environment through knowledge sharing sessions, workshops, and training sessions.

PAS 2060

In 2023, Greengage’s energy and carbon PAS 2060 team will be taking the organisation through the PAS 2060 process. This will involve the calculation of Greengage’s overall carbon footprint, a declaration of commitment, the implementation of a carbon management plan and an offsetting review. If successful, Greengage will be certified as carbon neutral to the PAS 2060 standard.

PAS 2060 DELIVERY TEAM

Ayesha Farooq

20220310 Portrayed Photography IMG 6880

A small team of trained PAS 2060 employees has been selected. These individuals will be required to deliver  PAS 2060 at Greengage in 2023/ 2024.

CARBON APPORTIONING

Greengage is currently investigating apportioning carbon to clients based on the number of hours spent on project work. Greengage will then be able to share the total emissions associated with our services to clients. Once Greengage has reached a certified carbon neutral status, we will be able to state that all emissions associated with a project have been offset.

Understanding the emissions related to a service or a product is an important step in calculating a company’s carbon footprint. This will encourage clients to reflect on the carbon associated with the work that they purchase, reinforcing the importance of engaging with suppliers and service providers.

Written by Kate Mosely

If you have any questions about how Greengage is working to reduce its carbon emissions, or would like advice about how your organisation can build a carbon reduction strategy, please reach out to kate.mosely@greengage-env.com

REFERENCES

[1] World Business Council for Sustainable Development, “The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard”, March 2004. (Online). Available https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf (Accessed November 2021)
[2] Greenhouse Gas Protocol | (ghgprotocol.org)
[3] How to Define Boundaries for GHG Reporting | GRESB
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