Environmental
Operating in a corporate socially responsible manner is very important to the Board, our employees and our shareholders and is a key value for the Group.
The Group is committed to limiting the impact that our operations have on our carbon emissions and we have performed the following during the year:
- Comply with all country-specific statutory regulations, and to other standards and conditions relating to our industry
- Track and report on key environmental impact measures and performance indicators, and where required, agree and execute on improvement plans
- Shift to the most environmentally friendly mode of transport and vehicle equipment where feasible, and in the meantime, prioritise equipment and vehicles which minimise carbon emissions
- For all our facilities and offices, strive to reduce our fuel use, energy consumption and to minimise our waste disposed to landfill
- Promoting environmental awareness
- Communicate our policy and requirements to all persons working for or on our behalf, including suppliers
- Regular engagement on building projects (such as our new warehouse being built in Roosendaal) to promote the most energy efficient building and using sustainable materials
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Group records its energy use for all areas of the business. As an asset light business, most of our energy use relates to the electricity and gas supply for our warehouse and offices. However, following the acquisition of Nidd Transport Limited, the Group does now own a small fleet of trucks, where fuel use is regularly monitored.
The kWh figures for gas and electricity used, and the figures for litres for each fuel type used are then converted into tonnes of C02 equivalent (“tCO2e”) using the relevant DEFRA conversation factors.
During the year, the Group emitted 1,259 tonnes of tCO2e in the UK which equated to 15.1 tCO2e per million pound UK revenue and 2.9 tCO2 per UK employee.
In the forthcoming year the group is planning to promote energy use by:
- Installation of LED lighting in some of our sites to reduce our carbon footprint
- Continual rollout of electric vehicles as part of our company car strategy
- Improved recycling in our warehouse and when our employees return to the office, working to minimise items going from our waste to landfill
- Monitoring and reduction of paper usage within our head office sites and improved use of e-filing
- Continue to promote the use of video conferencing and Microsoft Teams for meetings. International air travel will only be approved by a member of our Operating Board and only approved where there is a reasonable need for travel
- Working with suppliers who have the most energy efficient ratings and ensuring that they have at least bronze FORS rating (or European Equivalent).
Electric Vehicles
Continual rollout of electric vehicles is part of our company car strategy. Electric forklifts and associated warehousing handline equipment utilised at our warehouse facilities wherever feasible.
Renewable Energy Sources
At our new 200,000 sq ft Southampton warehouse, rood mounted solar panels have been installed, which is believed to be the largest in the UK. The panels also more than double the existing solar power generation on the port at Southampton.
Efficient Transportation
Ensure that the maximum amount of space per vehicle is occupied whilst selecting the optimum route therefore reducing the amount of emissions