Our goal is to be net-zero
We are measuring and reducing our footprint in line with our original net-zero goal of 2025, however under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), we now have an approved science-based net-zero target by 2045, because a company is only considered to have reached net-zero when it has cut its emissions by at least 90% and neutralised any residual emissions.
This will not slow our ambition though. In 2023, we began looking at new ways to measure and reduce the environmental footprint of our communication activities, and included an initial case study in our Client Environmental Policy.
We will continue to reduce the carbon emissions from our business in-line with our 2025 goal, and help our clients, colleagues, suppliers, and those in our wider network to do the same. Just with an understanding that the SBTi won’t recognise our reductions under their measurement framework until 2045. Read more about our net-zero journey here.
Timeline of progress so far:
January 2024 Measured our carbon footprint for the period Nov 22-Oct 23. Our carbon emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3 were 19.3 tonne CO²e. Successfully achieving a significant carbon reduction of 36% in one year. We are on target to achieve our goal of achieving net zero by 2025 as well as our verified SBTi near-term target to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and measure scope 3 to meet the 1.5°C global goal by 2030.
November 2023 Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) verified our science-based net-zero target of a 90% carbon reduction by 2045. This is our long-term reduction target. We also have a near-term target to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and measure scope 3 to meet the 1.5°C global goal by 2030
November 2023 Melissa promoted to Environmental Lead to help us achieve our net-zero ambition
October 2023 Moved our banking to a green and ethical business bank
August 2023 Awarded Gold medal by EcoVadis for our sustainability performance, scoring advanced in Environment and Labour and Human Rights categories and outstanding for Ethics. This places us in the top 96th percentile in our sector. The EcoVadis process validates our sustainability commitments, practices and performance and strengthens our commitment to our clients’ environmental journey
July 2023 Measured carbon footprint with Green Small Business. We reported on data from every aspect of our business for the period Nov 2021–Oct 2022. Our carbon emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3 were 26.3 tonnes Co², which is significantly lower than the average for businesses in the same sector. Achieving Green Small Business certification demonstrates our continuing commitment to achieving net-zero by 2025
July 2023 Began measuring the carbon footprint of our communication activities in client projects
June 2023 Signed up to CDP and Ecovadis for environmental disclosure and reporting. This demonstrates our commitment to align with one of our key client’s ambitions to be net-zero by 2045 and to reduce their Scope 3 emissions by making 95% of their ‘services’ supply chain (businesses like us) verify science-based net-zero targets through the SBTi
March 2023 Joined Green Small Business to better understand, measure and track our environmental performance and to produce a detailed emissions reduction plan
January 2023 Melissa passed her carbon literacy training with Better Not Stop and certified as Carbon Literate
September 2022 Our team voted to give up our dedicated office space at Alderley Park (AP) and move to a co-working agreement. This means everyone now works from home and can access the social working spaces at AP on a flexible basis, for high priority in person meetings only. This has allowed us to significantly reduce our employee commuting
Aug 2022 Moved all employee pensions to ethical funds
July 2022 Shared our Social and Environmental Plan, including targets and goals, with our employees and supply chain
June 2022 Updated and shared our Travel Policy with employees and AG Members (suppliers who work on our projects)
May 2021–2022 Became a Climate Neutral certified business and committed to reducing employee commuting and business travel. We offset 137 tonnes CO²e through projects that avoided deforestation, wind energy generation and projects that capture menthane gas from landfills. We also pledged our commitment to reducing our employee commuting and business travel during 2022-2023
January 2021 Set our environmental goal to be net-zero by 2025
December 2020 Set our target to plant 25,000 trees by 2025. We started to grow the AG Forest planting 5,000 trees with Ecologi and offset 172 tonnes CO²e through carbon avoidance projects to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, restore nature and support local communities