Green energy supplier Good Energy has committed to halving the carbon emissions of its business by 2030.
The company has signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative, a global body which enables businesses and financial institutions to set emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science.
While Good Energy said it has “achieved significant cuts” from a 2018 baseline year, when it produced the equivalent of more than 550 tonnes of CO2, COVID-19 distorted the most recent figures as employees worked remotely, resulting in lower energy use and emissions from community.
Cherish Jackson, facilities and sustainability partner, who is leading the initiative within Good Energy, said: “Good Energy enables people to fight the climate crisis by sourcing their power from independent renewable generators across the country, but running the business results in carbon emissions of our own.”
Jackson added that switching to a hybrid working model has already decreased the company’s commuting emissions by almost half, and green allowances are encouraging colleagues to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving.
“There’s more we can do, but we’re heading in the right direction and staff are really engaged.”
Its supply chain is also being examined to source more net zero suppliers, while carbon reporting now takes place on a monthly basis rather than annually so changes can be monitored more closely.
The business now includes home working and supply chain emissions in its reporting, which it said puts new pressure on achieving the target.
Other companies operating in the energy sector to have committed to lowering their own emissions include some of the businesses signed up to the Race To Zero campaign, which was launched in 2020 and sees businesses, organisations and cities commit to net zero by 2050.
This includes companies such as National Grid and Electricity North West.
