We’re Committed to Net Zero 2030: The Fight Against Climate Change

Why net-zero? The race against climate change is on. Many aspects of the global climate are rapidly changing, and the primary cause for this is attributable to the human race. The changes in our environment are already apparent. With the warming of our earth’s oceans, the diminishment of snow and ice, and the concentrations of greenhouse gases steadily rising, our planet has become a ticking time bomb.

A 2018 report by the Intergovernmental Panel warns us that mankind has approximately 12 years to reverse the damage already created, before it could become potentially irreversible. It was revealed that the best way to prevent such a drastic change to the planet is to cut net carbon dioxide emissions 45% by 2030, before cutting emissions to net-zero by 2050.

 

net zero emissions 2030

 

How have we become a UK Business Climate Action Leader?

This year, we’ve joined the likes of BT and Severn Trent Water to fight for climate action.

Our leadership team have registered us with the SME Climate Hub to make a commitment to Net Zero 2030, making us a UK Business Climate Action Leader. We are now part of the United Nations’ global ‘Race to Zero’ campaign, the largest credible alliance of organisations working towards an emissions-free economy.

What does this mean?

This means that we’ve pledged to reduce our carbon emissions down to net-zero by 2030, which is important to help ensure that global temperatures don’t rise to above 1.5C. 

If levels rise above this, it could threaten the lives and livelihoods of people and creatures worldwide, causing increased coastal flooding, salinisation of water supplies, reduction of plant growth and species extinction due to ecosystem collapse, and much more.

As forward-thinkers, we already strive to decrease our emissions and create a plan of action in the workplace in favour of the environment. We aim to do our part by developing a strategy to reduce our carbon footprint to net zero, by 2030.

What have we already implemented?

We make a continuous effort to improve sustainability throughout our workplace locations and during client projects.

We have already introduced a range of electric vehicles to our Johnsons fleet, as well as installing electric charging ports at multiple sites to reduce the usage of fuel within our establishment. Our packing materials are all produced from recycled materials, and we have a fully established zero-landfill strategy throughout our organisation and all its activities.

Some of our current implementations are shown through our:

Responsibly-Sourced Products

We supply our clients with a fully audited environmental solution to meet the company’s CR and we are dedicated to our recycling practices and our Zero Landfill commitment.

 

All of our staff wear uniform that has been made from Fairtrade certified cotton. We also buy Fairtrade products for our offices where possible. We purchase our packing materials from companies that are members of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Improvements in Sustainability Processes

We work to continuously better ourselves in our sustainability processes. Some of the practices we follow are:

  • Demonstrating a commitment to working towards best practice Government Buying including zero or ultra-low emission at tailpipe.
  • Meeting a minimum of Euro 6 emission standards and maintaining the capability of monitoring and reporting fuel/energy used/mileage and resulting emissions.
  • Minimising the use of paper in our offices using email and electronic communication. 
  • Supplying internal recycle bins for our office paper. Our recycling records indicate that we recycled 85% in 2018.  
  • Our consumption of vehicle fuel is closely monitored using telematics. We set ourselves a challenge to reduce our actual mileage driven to planned mileage for removals by 10% during 2018. 
  • We take care that energy is not wasted through inefficiency or casualness. For example, all radiators have been fitted with thermostatic radiator valves, we use signage to remind staff to turn off lights when leaving a room, and ask staff to use computers responsibly. From 2017-2018 we managed to reduce our electricity consumption by 4000KwH per quarter.   
  • Recycling printer cartridges by returning them to their manufacturer (Kyocera).  
  • Fully establishing a zero-landfill strategy throughout our organisation and all its activities. We will only work with waste companies that can provide a minimum of 85% recycling ability. 
  • Encouraging our suppliers to strive for the same level of environmental awareness and care as we provide to offset their carbon footprint. 
  • All drivers undertake training in fuel-efficient driving. All our Drivers hold a Driver CPC qualification which includes SAFED training.   
  •  Delivering Environmental Awareness training to all staff as part of our mandatory induction programme and this is refreshed at annual appraisal. We encourage staff in innovative practice in environmental issues.
  •  Offering our customers discounts based on reduced carbon trips, if we combine their work with another client. 

Minimisation of Vehicular Emissions

We work incessantly to decrease emissions from our Johnsons vehicles. As of 2020, our first fleet of electric vehicles landed, for which we installed electric charging ports throughout our office locations.

Our fleet of vehicles and our systems, procedures, and processes are annually assessed and certified by FORS. We are retrofitting technology to our current fleet, ensuring the upgrades fall in line with European regulations.

We operate an established and well-supported car share scheme as well as a ‘Bike to Work’ initiative, and undertake carbon footprint analysis for all journeys undertaken. Overnight accommodation is provided to staff where work activity dictates distance travel on consecutive days. All of our removal vehicles are fitted with sleeper pods.

Relocation activities are combined wherever possible through return loads and managed, in agreement, to ensure environmental and financial benefit to clients.

 

Minimisation of Carbon Emissions

Johnsons is dedicated to minimising emissions on every service we deliver. As part of our ISO14001:2015 accreditation, we are constantly aiming to reduce any negative impact we may be having on the environment, from our vehicles to premises to the packaging we use.

 

One of many definitions of sustainability is ‘the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance”. We are committed to bringing the future of the world into our present. 

 

As a company, we continually strive to ascertain innovative ideas to stay ahead of the game; we utilise the latest technologies and integrate them into our working practices from employment and training, to premises and vehicles. We aim to future-proof our performance to optimise the future for generations to come. 

Improvements in Air Quality

Improving air quality is important to us, which is why we have implemented the following:

  • Single delivery and collection crates are made to avoid multiple journeys, or crates are brought with us to site each time to avoid additional deliveries and collections.
  • Crates are reused throughout the project phases to minimise the number of deliveries and collections.
  • Plastic packing crates are utilised which are reused thousands of times throughout their lifespan.
  • Packing materials are all made from recycled products, and are reused until their integrity for protection is no longer deemed intact.

Compliance with Low Emission and Ultra Low Emission Requirements

Johnsons is proud to hold one of the newest fleets in the industry. We have always maintained our fleet and updated the vehicles to ensure our emissions are low and we will continue to do this. Ensuring they meet with the ULEZ compliance matrix by confirming:

 

  • All cars and small vans (3.5T/7.5T) being used by 2020 will be a maximum of 4 years old
  • All HGV’s being used by 2020 will be a maximum of 4 years old
  • 70% of current vehicles are already compliant
  • We monitor and report on fuel usage, mileage, and resulting emissions

 

This is relevant to all vehicles within our company whether they are predominantly based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, or London. 

Environmental Reporting

As an environmentally aware company, we have implemented the following in environmental reporting:

  • We provide support to the Authority in achieving its Governmental and specific Business unit waste targets. We report on performance against these targets (e.g. completing Waste Activity Recording Sheets, monthly site by site tracking and analysing data as and when requested by the Authority). 
  • We supply a split in reporting between non-hazardous/ hazardous waste streams (WEEE equipment may be hazardous). Hazardous waste also requires a consignee return report completing every quarter.
  • We report on which licenced waste companies are used and the tonnages taken to them i.e. waste destinations and diversion rates. If any items are taken for charity donation etc. these too, are recorded. 
  • All transfers of waste are recorded and these records are held for 2 years. For hazardous waste, they are kept for 3 years. 
  • As part of our 14001 accreditation, we are also obliged to report on any formal notices issued to us, of which we would also inform the Authority.

Why is Climate Action Important?

Climate action is vital to protect our planet and the creatures inhabiting it, in a world of ever-growing industries and technology. 

If we do not make a conscious effort to work sustainably now, the earth in 2050 could look contrastingly different from how it does today. If carbon emissions continue to rise, the world in 2050 will be hot. The air will be fervent and heavy, and the temperature will continue to gradually rise.

The air will not be clean. There will be continuous issues of particle pollution which will inhibit you from breathing sufficiently outdoors. Causing respiratory distress and a persistent cough that refuses to lessen. Your eyes will frequently water due to pollution and the rising temperature. At times it’s even dangerous to step outside without a specially designed face mask to protect you from the elements.

It doesn’t sound ideal, does it?

This is why climate action is crucial. To protect our livelihoods, the livelihoods of our children, and the creatures inhabiting the planet with us.

What Can You Do to Get Involved?

There are so many different ways you can get involved in climate action. From switching your daily routine and personal purchases, to getting stuck in with large organisations environmental campaigns.

Imperial College London have put together some amazing tips and tricks to get you started on the road to improving your eco-friendly measures, here: 9 things you can do about climate change 

We’re continuing to implement and set targets to stay on top of our emissions in the race against Climate Change. Got an idea that’ll help us reach Net Zero by 2030? We’d be happy to hear it! 

Head over to our Contact Us page and send us your thoughts and ideas.

 

 

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