Sustainability – Our Commitments
We were early adopters in sustainable targets and since 2003 we have been working to reduce our carbon footprint through business operational improvements, providing evidence of change as we developed our sustainability journey.
2023 ANNOUNCEMENT – paper use down another 26.5%, car milage down another 37.9% and metric carbon dioxide equivalent down 66.2% since 2022.
To do this we introduced clear targets:
- An initial focus on areas which we believe can be changed / improved (quick wins)
- Clear aims, or drivers, for different areas.
- The use of respected third parties to assess our improvements
Our journey has been interesting, a journey of learning and, as it gathers pace, we continually revisit what is important to us, our teams, and the future.
Sustainability Key Drivers
DRIVER 01 – Our office to be carbon neutral for 2024
We’ve managed to reduce our carbon footprint by 80%. Off-setting isn’t our preferred choice, but we have invested in offsetting our residual carbon footprint through HACT Retrofit Credits, they decarbonise social housing, a sector we major on as a business. So rather than throw money at irrelevant offsetting, we are focused on supporting our communities.
Our electricity supply is 100% renewable.
We have installed LED lighting throughout the office and look for more efficient computing hardware on planned replacement cycles.
Our teams cycle, walk or take public transport unless absolutely necessary.
DRIVER 2 – Provide comprehensive CPD’s / Training on the environment for the whole team
We are one of only 555 companies worldwide who have certified Passisvhaus designers.
We demonstrate through projects like Watermeadow Court how we can reduce carbon in buildings through good design.
Our CPD’s highlight industry changes in green technologies and legislations.
DRIVER 3 – Third Party Accreditation and assessments
We are ISO 14001 certified, an internationally agreed and recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems.
We have in-house registered Passivhaus designers to inform our designs Please meet Peter Gibson and Michaela Jahn.
We engage with our clients through our yearly surveys assessing our sustainability knowledge.
We summarise our improvements and learnings every year and share this with everyone at Hunters.
Outcomes:
In 2023 we were NET ZERO in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Our carbon footprint measured through the Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology was:
Scope 1: Direct emissions: 0 MTCO2e (metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).
Scope 2: Indirect, upstream activities (purchased electricity for the office), 0 MTCO2e
Scope 3: Indirect upstream, measured as business car mileage and flights (14.1 MTCO2e).
In 2022 our carbon footprint measured through the Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology was:
Scope 1: Direct emissions: 0 MTCO2e (metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).
Scope 2: Indirect, upstream activities (purchased electricity for the office), 25.10 MTCO2e (reduced to zero as we have 100% renewable electricity tariff).
Scope 3: Indirect upstream, measured as business car mileage and flights (17.12 MTCO2e).
Since 2022, we have been offsetting the 42.0 MTCO2e through HACT verified carbon credits.