Environment
Operational efficiency and the circular economy
Why this matters
While the environmental impact from waste, water and energy consumption at our UK offices is relatively small, it is often the part of our efforts that our employees can most easily see and engage with. We are committed to minimising our impacts.
Our ambition
As part of our ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications, our Workplace Services teams and suppliers are focussed on improving our energy and water efficiency, moving to renewable energy, and minimising waste from our property portfolio. We are seeking to play our part in creating a circular economy, by minimising waste to landfill and encouraging reuse.
Our progress this year
We have reduced our energy usage by 7%, and energy intensity has decreased by 14% (kWhs/FTE) by further refining our heating, cooling and lighting provisions to reflect actual building occupancy. However, as we have now transitioned to our temporary office - during the refurbishment of our London headquarters - we will have a period of running two buildings concurrently and our energy usage may increase.
Our efforts to become more energy efficient have involved working with our landlords to encourage better management of our air conditioning units and associated greenhouse gases. We have also requested renewable energy where it is available in our energy provision. Our newly refurbished building will not have gas, helping to reduce our emissions.
Below you can see some of our successes and key developments.
Reduced our energy usage by
Energy intensity decreased by
Renewable energy in our offices
76% of the energy in our UK offices is renewable electricity. The remainder is gas for heating. Where available, we source renewable electricity backed by the appropriate certificates. We are also in conversation with our landlords to encourage better quality renewable electricity, which is backed by Power Purchase Agreements.
At our Cambridge office space, fitted with solar panels and heat pumps, we are working with the landlord to repair and maintain these items in a bid to reduce our gas usage there.
Our efforts to reduce CO2e emissions continue to take effect. Our total gross emissions for the year ending 30 April 2023 reflect a decrease from our previous year; however, in comparison to our 2020 baseline year (1,116 tCO2e) our emissions have reduced by 34% to 741 tCO2e.
Our UK Greenhouse Gas emissions (Scope 1 & 2) and energy usage (1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023)
Air-conditioning gas leaks caused the increased CO2e emissions in 2019-2020 and 2021-2022.
Improving data quality
We have procured software to calculate more accurately and transparently our climate and environmental impact in our UK offices. It is our intention to share this with further offices in the future.
Recycling and reuse of electrical items
Where possible, items that are no longer needed are reused on site and the remainder that is disposed of is a very small proportion of our waste. Of that which is sent for disposal, 40% goes for reuse, and the remainder is recycled off site.
Other initiatives include:
Where possible, items that are no longer needed are reused on site and the remainder that is disposed of is a very small proportion of our waste. Of that which is sent for disposal, 40% goes for reuse, and the remainder is recycled off site.
Other initiatives include:
Our UK offices are subject to monthly checks and in 2023 there were three operational control audits (which include energy, water and waste) undertaken.
We have started collecting water consumption data more consistently across our offices and are reporting these figures in due course as we enhance our data reporting processes.
We are actively raising awareness across the business. For example, we produced five new sustainability guides to help upskill our colleagues on topical environmental issues, from waste to fashion.
Our UK offices are subject to monthly checks and in 2023 there were three operational control audits (which include energy, water and waste) undertaken.
We have started collecting water consumption data more consistently across our offices and are reporting these figures in due course as we enhance our data reporting processes.
We are actively raising awareness across the business. For example, we produced five new sustainability guides to help upskill our colleagues on topical environmental issues, from waste to fashion.
Next year's focus
Operational efficiency
We will continue to focus on operational efficiency across our sites.
Data processes
We have made progress in enhancing UK data in 2023 but we are aware of our need to further improve our data processes and gather data more consistently across our international offices.
Renewable energy
We have secured renewable energy from our landlords in many offices, and we are keen to push for better quality renewable energy where possible. Our plan is that our refurbished London office will not have gas heating, thus reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Single-use plastics
We will continue to identify and reduce the single-use plastic used in our offices.