Like many companies, sustainability is something we care about and we are keen to work towards a more sustainable future. Two of our partners, Zoe Gibbons and Emma Palmer, are passionate about this subject. However, trying to get clear guidance on what we should all be doing without spending huge amounts of time and resource, alongside our day-to-day roles is challenging. Emma is now carbon literate and Zoe is working her way towards becoming carbon literate.
We will be working on this continually in order to reduce our carbon footprint. We also want to help guide our clients with this because as accountants we have the ability to help individuals, as well as businesses, to understand the many terms associated with this.
What is net zero and what is carbon neutral?
Net Zero
Net Zero refers to completely removing the amount of all greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other hydroflurocarbons) produced by human activity, from the atmosphere by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorption.
Carbon Neutral
Carbon Neutral is when you balance the amount of carbon emitted by removing the equivalent amount by offsetting the emissions.
What is ESG and the 17 pillars?
ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance and this is the criteria used to evaluate a companies impact on the environment.
The 17 pillars refers to the United Nations 17 SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals). These pillars are thought to create a more sustainable future. They are as follows:-
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
Scope 1 is direct emissions, from sources directly owned or controlled by the company i.e. company cars
Scope 2 is indirect emissions from purchased sources i.e. electricity, gas
Scope 3 is indirect emissions from your supply chain i.e. scope 1 and 2 emissions from your suppliers
What is carbon capture?
This is the action of trapping carbon emissions before it enters the atmosphere. This is a major greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming.
Where we are with our sustainability journey
We have been supporting local charities since 2011 and our first golf day was in 2012.
Below are what we have been doing as a company as part of the ESG framework:
Environmental (E)
- We currently support Communigrow, who are based in East Malling. We have been supporting their efforts since October 2022 and have seen the charity develop hugely during that time. They are a food-based charity that concentrate on supporting the local community, by educating them about food growth and supply and by supporting members of the community that need a little help.
- We are currently working on measuring our carbon emissions i.e. gas, electricity and water. Once we have a baseline, we can work towards reducing our carbon emissions.
- From 2024 we have created an ‘E-card’ for our Christmas mailing. This has reduced our carbon footprint as we have saved both paper and the CO2 emissions in having them delivered but we have also given back by donating money to charity as part of this change – see our charity page for more information.
- We provide reusable drinks bottles and cups for staff.
- We have reduced our internal courier to once every 2 weeks, rather than once a week.
- We recycle our toner cartridges.
- We recycle our old computers.
- We are working towards reducing our data storage as this will have a digital impact.
- We have changed our lighting in 2024 to LED at our Tunbridge Wells branch.
- We have also put together our Environmental and Energy Saving Policy internally.
- Both our West Malling and Wrotham branches are listed buildings but to help with the heat loss we have put insulation in both roof spaces.
- We have also put together our Environmental and Energy Saving Policy internally
Social (S)
- We have been helping local charities for many years and raising money to support their causes. We hosted our first annual golf day in 2012 and so far, we have raised over £50,000. To find out more about what we do you can visit our community, charity or golf day pages.
- We are compliant with all standard leave policies including family leave, for example maternity and paternity leave.
- We offer training opportunities to those starting out as apprentices or trainee accountants and continue when they qualify with CPD (Continued Professional Development).
- We train both physical health first aiders and have an internal mental first aider.
- We provide medical insurance and cash plans to support our staff.
- We offer Summer Working hours during the summer months.
- We have flexible start and finish times.
- We provide work experience opportunities, to find out more about how to apply for these please visit our work experience page.
- Internally we nominate staff for ‘Employee of the Month’.
Governance (G)
- Cyber essentials certificate achieved
- GDPR policy
We are governed by ICAEW and follow their guidance with regards to AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and other internal procedures
Quick wins you can make!
If everyone can make small changes in their day to day lives, it could make the difference to our planet. We all have to start somewhere, and we know many feel we can’t make a difference, but collectively we can.
- Look at your bank (bank.green) and potentially move to a greener bank.
- Consider looking at where your pension is being invested and changing to a greener investment.
- Energy suppliers – change to those who provide green energy like solar, wind etc.
- Buy second hand or refurbished furniture/clothes/electricals.
- You could offset your carbon by planting trees, with a goal to work towards net zero, by reducing emissions.
- Educate your teams so they can follow any sustainability policies you have.
- Reduce your food waste.
- Recycle where you can.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
- Reduce your digital storage.
- Consider your transport – walk/cycle/use public transport/EV cars.
- Use reusable bags and bottles.
- Double sided printing or only print what you need then recycle any paper you can and use recycled paper.
- Water saving – cistern bags, take shorter showers, fix leaky taps.
- Open windows rather than using fans.
- Water filters on taps to save you buying bottled water.
- Turn off electrical equipment when it’s not in use.
- Turn down heating.
- Use LED lighting or alternative natural light.
- Online meetings where possible to save carbon emissions.
- Car sharing to save carbon emissions.
Other things we do as a practice…
- Season ticket loans
- We recycle coffee pods
- We use recycling bins at most of our branches
Things we hope to introduce in the near future
- Look at options around increasing the number of online meetings rather than in person, although to keep the human element, we can offset any carbon emissions from travelling.
- Zoe Gibbons will work towards a diploma in ACCA.
- The majority of our cleaning products will be eco-friendly
- Water saving – introducing water management systems to reduce water usage
- Increased recycling
