Introduction
As a responsible SME, Northumberland Business Service Ltd (NBSL) wants to do what we can to reduce our impact on the environment we all share.
We don’t manufacture goods, but we do provide vital services to the Businesses of the North East, and we want to do that in the most environmentally friendly way we can.
As a SME we may not reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions by multiple tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) as a team we will do all we can.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GGP) sets the standard for measuring, managing and reporting carbon emissions. It categorises emissions into three areas, known as ‘Scopes’ to give us a complete picture of the carbon we produce. Each ‘scope’ has a conversion factor which helps us calculate emissions produced per activity.
Scope 1 includes direct emissions caused by any process or activity by your company. Often this is in the form of fuels burnt on site or by a company owned vehicles. Other forms are leaks of refrigerant (for example from refrigerators, air conditioners etc) or an emission from industrial processes.
Scope 2- includes indirect emissions caused by the company purchasing energy (from sources we do not own or control). This is usually in the form of electricity, heat or steam.
Scope 3- covers all indirect emissions that occur because of our business activity, for example waste, business travel or goods and services purchase.
Within this Carbon Reduction Plan we will cover Scope 1, 2 & 3.
Baseline Emissions
Calculating our Baseline has been done using the SME Climate Hub Small Business Carbon Calculator, which complies with GGP
Baseline 1/4/24- 31/3/2025
| Scope 1 Direct Emissions (heating of building) | Scope 2 Indirect Emissions (purchased electricity) | Scope 3 Value Chain emissions (purchased goods and services; Business Travel) |
| 0.547tonnes CO2e | 1,636 tonnes CO2e | 19,731 CO2e |
Sustainability
We want to reduce our energy consumption, water usage and waste as these all contribute to our carbon footprint, every small step taken can make a difference and make us more ‘sustainable’.
Energy- reducing energy usage is beneficial for the environment and for NBSL financially, we currently purchase our energy via the NE BiC and currently British Gas supplies both Gas and Electricity, who certify that:
- Electricity – they are Zero Carbon as standard, backed by renewable energy guarantees of origin and nuclear declarations
- Gas – they use 100% renewable Gas
In addition to key utilities other services provided via NE BiC include:
- Mobile carrier is a certified carbon neutral business certified by carbon Neutral Britain this reflects both their internal emissions reductions and their investments in global offset initiatives.
- ITPS provide the leased line connectivity, and they are actively working towards net-zero by 2035
- Microsoft provide the 365 environment, and they have pledged to be carbon negative by 2030
Water- is on a metered supply, Wave Utilities, who have a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2030.
Waste – less waste will mean a smaller carbon footprint, less to landfill must be good for the environment. We will continue to follow the Waste Hierarchy of:
Prevention- stop the waste happening in the first place.
Reuse whatever we can, save purchasing again
Recycle – as a Northumberland based business, we will use the NCC recycling bins/service which currently includes paper; plastic; metal but not glass. We will comply with Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment and when necessary contract with a registered waste collection company and obtain relevant certification.
Procurement – we will endeavour to procure all goods and services in a sustainable manner. Wherever possible we will procure from suppliers:
- based in the North East Combined Authority Area to reduce carbon emissions caused by business travel.
- who have ‘green credentials.
NEXT STEPS
- Briefing to all staff re the NBSL approach to Carbon Reduction and obtain ‘buy-in’ and consider any suggestions made, e.g. switch off not standby etc.
- Reduce office waste to 70 litres, this will qualify for ‘free household’ collection and reduce overall landfill and company costs.
- Measure NBSL emissions annually.
Reporting
Annually review the Carbon emissions and report these to all staff and Board Members