In a major stride forward in its green journey, Transform Housing & Support has become Carbon Neutral by contributing to four, UN and UK-verified carbon offsetting projects. Carbon offsetting is when an organisation compensates for the environmental harm its emissions have caused.
The projects Transform has invested in are designed to counteract the emissions it created last year. They are managed by Carbon Neutral Britain which helps organisations – from small and medium-sized enterprises to large employers – to become carbon neutral by investing in sustainability projects around the world.
Transform recognises that the consequences of climate change have been proven to have the biggest negative impact on the poorest in society, so its commitment to environmental protection underscores its dedication to both its clients and the planet, Graduate Sustainability Advisor Laura Bortmartin explained.
"We understand that our actions have profound implications for both Transform clients and the environment," she stressed. "As such, in 2023, we embarked on a mission to mitigate our carbon footprint and contribute meaningfully to global climate action."
In addition, the Government had agreed that by 2050 the UK needed to be NetZero, which meant emissions needed to reduce dramatically, Laura said. “The UK has cut emissions by 50%, but it is still a long way from its target of 1990 levels,” she added. “It is therefore critical for everyone in the UK – including Transform – to commit to action now to help the UK reach this target.”
To offset its emissions Transform teamed up with Carbon Neutral Britain whose ethos of fostering social progress alongside environmental conservation aligns with Transform’s values. “We were keen to contribute to social projects, instead of just planting trees so we chose Carbon Neutral Britain because these projects will be assisting communities in underdeveloped countries to have more sustainable lifestyles, create new jobs and move away from poverty,” she explained.
Transform's journey to becoming carbon neutral involved a meticulous assessment of its Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol*. These totalled 1,200 tonnes for the previous financial year.
Transform took the decision to focus initially on offsetting its Scope 1 and 2 emissions since Scope 3 (value chain) emissions will involve suppliers which will require more time and be more complex to measure. “We will be looking at our Scope 3 emissions in the future however,” Laura confirmed.
Transform's offset projects
Carbon offset projects managed by Carbon Neutral Britain are certified against the Gold Standard which was established in 2003 by WWF and other international sustainability organisations. The Gold Standard ensures emission reduction projects feature the highest levels of environmental integrity and also contribute to sustainable development.
Transform’s four projects are:
Salkhit Wind Farm (Mongolia): Providing renewable energy to Mongolian communities, reducing CO2 emissions while bolstering local economies and job opportunities.
Nkhata Bay Cook Stove Project (Malawi): Enhancing livelihoods and reducing deforestation by distributing efficient cook stoves, benefiting thousands of households.
Andes Mountains Hydro Power Project (Chile): Harnessing hydro-logical resources to supply zero-emission energy to the Chilean electricity grid.
Energy-Efficient Lighting Initiative (India): Promoting energy efficiency through the distribution of CFL bulbs, reducing energy consumption and empowering communities.
A pledge for the future
Transform’s green commitment extends beyond being carbon neutral and this is only the first step in its journey to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
“While celebrating the significant milestone of becoming carbon neutral for this year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to further environmental action,” Laura confirmed. “Our sustainability strategy aims to help us to continue to reduce our emissions through waste and carbon reduction, decarbonising homes, sustainable construction practices, providing green nature spaces and following the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.”
As the world marches towards a greener future, Transform intends to stand at the vanguard, helping to inspire positive change for generations to come.
* The concept of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions was introduced by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol – an internationally accepted standard providing guidelines for organisations to measure and manage their emissions.
