In July 2023 a tender issued by the NHS was due for response. Within that tender was a request to supply a Carbon Reduction Plan. This is now a UK Government requirement on all tenders above a set value, and will undoubtably flow down the supply chain to SME’s over the next few months. The government policy can be seen here.
Through an actively implemented ISO 14001 management system we’ve been assisting organisations to reduce their environmental impact for around 15 years.
The carbon reduction plans now being requested on government contracts are very similar to the intent of the targets and objectives specified in ISO 14001, clause 6.2, though the government’s requirement is for measured commitment to reduction over a much longer period of time.
Key Insights from IWA 42.2022: Navigating Challenges in International Standards for Greenhouse Gas Reduction
International Standards document IWA 42.2022, which seems to be the most recent attempt to get international agreement on the technicalities of reducing greenhouse gases, contains some interesting points, reflecting the sense which seems to be eventually seeping into the environmental movement:
Clause 8.2.6
Interim Targets should be set and reflect the maximum effort, within the potential of the organisation, i.e. nothing is mandatory
Clause 9.1.2
Suggests reliance on “offsets” (where you pay somebody else to say they’ve saved carbon on your behalf) should only be considered after you have reached Net Zero.
Clause 10.1
You should use “science based pathways”, to monitor performance against your environmental targets… (though suitable pathways aren’t actually defined anywhere).
Clause 10.1c
“Figures are to be monitored, reported and verified by a competent 3rd Party”. There seems to be no shortage of people willing to do (for a price) this judging by related internet searches. But as there is no formal accreditation of such organisations, there is unlikely to be much consistency from one body to another.
Clause 3.2.9
Residual emissions are defined as “greenhouse gas emissions that remain after taking all possible actions to implement emissions reductions”. But who decides when “all possible actions” have been taken?
The intent is for all organisations to be setting targets consistent with reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030, compared to the baseline of 2018 levels.
It is hoped this will restrict global warning to 1.5oC above pre-industrial temperatures. There is much debate over the figures, but it looks likely that we are about 1o above at present, and some sources suggest we will surpass 1.5o within five years.
Sounds a good idea, so how is it going to be done?
If you’d like a viable reduction plan which meets current best practice why not drop us a line and make use of the experience we’ve gained over the last 30 years or so.
Contact us HERE for more information!