GC has an ambition to be Net Zero across all emissions (direct & supply chain) by 2035.
Net Zero means that we calculate all our carbon emissions, we implement actions between now and 2035 to reduce these to absolute minimum (normally 5-10%) and then we off set the rest through a mixture of renewable energy and carbon capture projects.
Currently GC is 'Carbon Neutral' – which means we calculate all our carbon emissions and buy carbon off-set credits through the Gold Standard Scheme. These credits enable us to fund projects which remove carbon already in the atmosphere, or reduce potential carbon by reducing the use of fossil fuels. However, we see off-setting as a last resort.
We're working towards reducing our carbon footprint year-on-year (through efficiencies and use of renewable energy) until we can’t reduce it any further. This is called becoming 'Net Zero'.
GC’s carbon footprint for 2022/23 is 7,173 tCO2e – this is an increase of 4,508 tCO2e on the previous year.
Scope 1 – includes gas, air conditioning refrigerant gas, fuel use from company vehicles and propane.
Scope 2 – is electricity
Scope 3 – includes business travel, commuting and working from home, procurement of goods and services, waste and service user travel. Scope 3 represents 90% of carbon emissions
GC retired 7,173 credits with Chaiyaphum Wind Power Project, Thailand. More information on this project can be found here, Chaiyaphum Wind Power Project, Thailand – Gold Standard Marketplace.
Why has our carbon footprint increased?
There are a number of reasons, including:
- We have better quality data
- We're reporting all utilities from all sites
- We've seen an 11% increase in floor area
- We've seen a 23% increase in Full Time Equivalent (FTE) colleagues
- There's been an increase in contracts requiring international travel
- We have increased the scope of our reporting – including procurement of goods & services
- We see refrigerant gas – as a 'one off' increase
We're likely to increase our carbon footprint again next year, as we capture more data – so we need to really start to take action – we'll be starting this by introducing new lighting across our large sites.
Actions we are already doing:
- Achieved ISO 14001 certification
- Green Energy tariffs have been used when purchasing energy directly by GC
- Installed sub-metering and using the data to identify energy inefficiencies
- Introduced good energy management procedures such as a heating and cooling policy, automatic sleep mode and switch off, utilising sensor-based lighting and natural light
- Introduced a ‘Our Working Way’ policy to encourage agile, flexible working from home locations, digitisation of paperwork and the use of electronic/virtual meetings and training
- Sustainable transport options available to all colleagues including season ticket loan offer and cycle to work scheme and all are encouraged to use public transport for business travel through our expenses system
- Introduction of salary sacrifice electric vehicle (EV) leasing scheme
- Minimised the use of virgin paper by ensuring all our paper has 100% recycled content
- Reduced waste to landfill through dedicated recycling and general waste bins
- Reducing water waste through installation of instant hot water dispensers
- Increased staff awareness and engagement through our internal Team Green Climate Action Group
- Mandatory Environmental Awareness training for all staff and included within induction process
How can you help reduce our energy consumption?
- Turning off lights, equipment and heating in unused rooms and at the end of the day to reduce our out-of-hours energy consumption
- Make sure waste is separated into the correct bins
- Use pubic transport to travel to business meetings where possible (remember you can claim this back through your expenses)
- Make sure your vehicle details are up-to-date when submitting your expenses
- Procure goods and services through those suppliers we have group contracts with
- Use the correct coding when raising requisitions and allocating costs
- Join our colleague Team Green and sign-up to our Carbon Literacy training