Client Name: Age UK Croydon
Type of Project: Eco-Audit
Location: 81 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, London
Scope of Eco-Audit
Sustain Quality were instructed to carry out an Eco-Audit for Age UK Croydon, a third-sector organisation that aims to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon. The purpose of the project was to outline their current practices and building state and recommend actions to improve their environmental performance.
Furthermore, we developed a tailored Environmental Policy, a Sustainable Procurement Plan, a Carbon Emissions Report outlining their baseline year, and an Environmental Awareness Presentation.
Finally, we conducted a final review in which we refined their action plan and calculated their carbon emissions for a year after the initial baseline to track their progress.
Tools for Implementation
An Eco-Audit was conducted to measure, analyse, and report this organisation’s environmental impact and outline their social impacts. Furthermore, we provided contextual recommendations for improvement.
We began by conducting a site visit where we investigated Age UK Croydon’s existing practices and reviewed their building facilities. Thereafter, we prepared a report outlining these impacts with recommendations for improvements.
Impacts were structured thematically in an Eco-Audit Report into the following themes: Environmental Policy, Procurement Policy, Energy, Waste, Water, Health and Wellbeing, and Travel. Within these themes, recommendations to reduce these impacts were provided.
We are passionate about a whole-rounded approach, and so following the Eco-Audit, we carried out additional supporting activities. Among them is a Carbon Emissions Report, which accounted for Scope 1, Scope 2, and material Scope 3 emissions in a baseline year. Furthermore, we facilitated an Environmental Awareness presentation for key stakeholders.
Challenges for Task
Obtaining accurate data for the reporting period proved to be challenging. For instance, data on business travel and staff commuting distances were not available. Furthermore, waste data was provided in litres which does not have a conversion factor utilising the UK Government’s data.
Solutions to Task
We determined the business travel distance by using the reimbursement rate per mile travelled by employees.
The staff commuting distances were quantified based on data provided by the Transport Department and the organisation’s expenditure records.
We utilised a partner’s tool to calculate the carbon emissions for waste.
Key Project Achievements
Age UK Croydon reduced their waste consumption by approximately 35% from 2022/23 to 2023/24. This significant decrease may be attributed to enhanced monitoring and more accurate recording of consumption.
They have also taken proactive steps to enhance their environmental sustainability through the following actions:
– Implementing an Environmental Policy and publishing it on noticeboards.
– Striving to use ethical and sustainable items whenever possible (e.g., ensuring that soap and hand cream are environmentally friendly.
– Monitoring waste, water and energy consumption through billing records and a spreadsheet overseen by their designated sustainability champion.
– Replacing all inefficient lights with LED bulbs and installing mixer taps to conserve energy and water.
– Embracing biophilic design elements, including NASA indoor plants, by incorporating them into their refurbishment to reduce environmental impact and foster a connection with nature.
Benefits for Clients
The Eco-Audit identified both positive and negative environmental and social impacts and suggested tailored recommendations for improvement. This allowed our client to improve transparency, accountability, awareness and engagement of staff and community members, as well as identify areas to make significant reductions in resource consumption, carbon emissions and costs.
By calculating a baseline year of carbon emissions, Age UK Croydon was able to accurately quantify their environmental impact and appropriately work towards improving it.
Location
81 Brigstock Road, London