Continuing our Journey to Greater Sustainability ….
As a leading UK furniture manufacturer and interiors consultancy, Southernsbroadstock is committed to the goal of net zero by 2050, and we are on track to achieve this ambition for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030.
Our Environmental and Social Responsibility plan integrates sustainable practices into every facet of our business. Through tangible measurement systems, we can track our progress and demonstrate significant outcomes.
Every year, we publish our Sustainability Pledge which outlines our initiatives, achievements, and further ambitions. The latest updated version is available now to download from our Sustainability page.
We recognise the imperative need to join the race to net zero and our Carbon Reduction Plan details our progress. Since the 2020 baseline, we have achieved a 90% reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint. In the last reporting year, we commenced measurement of our Scope 3 emissions including waste, employee commuting and business travel and are working to introduce further categories.
Traditionally, furniture has contributed at least 30% of the carbon footprint of a commercial building over its entire life. There is a significant potential for greater environmental responsibility through extending the useful life of furniture. In addition, end of life products should not be seen as waste – they must be valued through reusing components and recycling unusable materials.
During the last year, we have expanded our portfolio of lifecycle management services to offer a national structure to enable our customers to maximise the potential of their furniture assets. From product assessments and asset auditing through to reuse, repairs, renovation, repurposing, and recycling, we can contribute to customers’ sustainability targets and ambitions.
Our commitment to greater sustainability is truly a team effort. Hosted by our Sustainability Manager, our informative workshops and seminars are designed to educate and inform colleagues and customers about our own environmental efforts as well as identify opportunities for positive change in relation to furniture and the built environment.
As part of our current inhouse workshops, we are launching our Cycle to Work scheme. This latest initiative aligns with our electric vehicle policy and offers a range of financial and fitness benefits as well as advice.
Moving forward, we are working to an integrated plan focussed on carbon reductions and adding social value. Applying mapping exercises, together with stakeholder involvement, we can monitor, measure, and report our progress and introduce new initiatives to drive further advancement.
