Commitment to achieving Net Zero

T Sumner Smith is fully committed to reducing our carbon output to net zero by 2035, which is 15 years’ ahead the Government target of 2050.

We have reduced our total annual carbon emissions of 120.50 tCO₂e in 2018/19 (Base Year) to 81.63 tCO₂e for 2023/24 (Current Year), which has resulted in a 38.87 tCO₂e (32.26 percent) reduction in our carbon emission. We also anticipate that we will secure a further 5 to 10 % reduction of 2.5 to 5.0 tCO₂e against the baseline within the next 5 years.

Progress against these targets can be seen in the graph below:

 

Carbon Reduction Projects

Completed Carbon Reduction Initiatives

The environmental management improvement measures that have been completed or implemented since the 2018/19 baseline are listed below. The carbon emission reduction achieved by the introduction of these initiatives equate to 38.87 tCO₂e reduction against the 2018/19 baseline measured outputs. The benefit of these measures will therefore be in effect should we be appointed to the Framework.

Our completed carbon reduction initiatives include:

• F0CUS Management System: the introduction and development of our bespoke multi-faceted F0cus Management System and its replacement of less streamlined systems has reduced the number of staff required both directly by ourselves and our clients. Thereby providing a reduction in carbon output by virtue of the operational economies, efficiencies and the reduced headcount.
• Office rationalisation: reduction from two to one office – thereby halving energy costs (Pre-Baseline)
• Instantaneous hot water: for tea/coffee making facilities.
• Low energy Lighting
• Sectional/ area & personal lighting.
• Movement Sensors (PIR): movement enabled lights in toilets and corridors
• Low energy dishwasher: with usage limited to single daily use (IE Full Load)
• Paperless office: photocopying is limited, and staff have to record and justify the number of copies produced, provision electronic notebooks, PDAs and bespoke/inhouse smartphone applications etc.
• Travel Policy: priority for use of public transport and car sharing.
• Waste Minimisation: ban on disposable items and single use plastics, standardisation of office and electronic equipment to reduce level of replacements (EG Phone Charges)
• Waste Recycling: all our office paper (PAMs), plastic, cans and packaging waste are all recycled.
• Removal of bottled water facility: use of chilled tap water
• Reusable Water/Drink Vacuum Bottles:
• Electronic Waste: all our redundant electronic items are reused (donated) or recycled.
• Working from Home: reduction in commuting travel
• Electronic meetings: reduction in business travel
• Video enabled site/inspection meetings: use of pre-prepared and live video links and photographs to enable video meetings to take place – thereby reducing travel by project team members.
• ISO 14001: Certificate Number: 198922012

Planned /Proposed Carbon Reduction Initiatives

A major planned investment is for the renewal of the roof to our office. We are therefore taking this opportunity to consider the upgrade of the roof insulation and the installation of solar panels.

In addition, we are also proposing to implement the following initiatives within the next 5 years in striving to achieve net zero by 2035.

Planned Initiatives:

• Upgrade Roof Insulation: renewal of office roof covering and insulation
• Solar Panels: consider provision of solar panels.
• Green Electricity: we intend to source 100% green electricity when our current contractual arrangements expire.
• Grey Fleet: promote / incentivise use of hybrid and full electric vehicles
• Electric Car Charging Points: provision of electric powered pool car for business travel
• Recharging Point: provision of car recharging facility in office car park
• Bicycle: provision of office bike for short journeys (EG Sandwich shop)
• Home /Remote Working: extension of home / remote working and investment in requisite technologies etc.
• Annual Commuting Travel Audits: Identification of further initiatives such as car sharing, start/completions times.
• Annual Recycling & Waste Minimisation Review: material sustainability & usage
• Adoption of Science Based Targets: identification of further initiatives /3^rd Party Audits
• External Advice / Support : seek UK Business Climate Hub Membership

Read our full Carbon Reduction Policy here