Ecoserv Group, the multi-discipline facilities management (FM) company, has teamed up with environmental consultancy RSK Group to support its journey to net zero. This will enable Ecoserv to determine its exact carbon footprint and establish science-based objectives as part of an ambitious sustainability strategy. As a result, the company has already committed to a 50% reduction in scope 1, 2 and assessed scope 3 emissions.
“We have already undertaken a Green House Gas (GHG) assessment with the aim of quantifying our emissions, while pinpointing carbon hotspots and carbon management potential,” explains Sally-Ann van Blerk, Group Sustainability & Brand Director at Ecoserv Group. “This is enabling us to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART) emission reduction targets and develop an effective strategy to achieve them, with a particular focus on our fleet operation, office energy usage and the impact of commuting.”
In particular, the assessment found that car and van business travel accounts for most of the scope 1 and 2 emissions, followed by office energy usage. Further investigation will be undertaken to measure the environmental impact of office-based and remote staff, but from the initial review it has been possible to create a Carbon Management Plan that identifies ways to manage and significantly reduce emissions.
The Carbon Management Plan has pinpointed some initial areas of improvement. By moving the current internal combustion engine (ICE) fleet to electric vehicles would cut an estimated ~110 tCO2e in the first year, with a 20% reduction in mileage through smarter mobility increasing the savings potential. Meanwhile a 10% average decrease in office energy use at Ecoserv’s Wallingford and Watford offices would save ~7 tCO2e a year. Other proposed actions include updating office equipment; implementing a water and wastewater initiative; and avoiding single use materials where possible.
The next step will be to encourage greener commuting to and from Ecoserv’s offices. It is estimated that a 10% reduction in GHG emissions from less commuting or a switch to lower-carbon transport (EV, e-bikes, public transport, foot) would see a significant scope 3 impact. One of the largest challenges will be to reduce emissions linked to the commuting activity of 1,500 cleaning operatives. The assessment found that just a 20% reduction could equate to a saving of ~110 tCO2e, so Ecoserv is exploring a wide range of schemes and incentives to encourage lower-carbon commuting methods.
Jean Henri Beukes, Chief Executive Officer at Ecoserv Group commented: “When it comes to fighting climate change urgent engagement is needed now, so this partnership with RSK is an important step in our journey to net zero. We have been eco-conscious since 1993 and our aim is to build on this legacy to lead the way in sustainability and help our customers achieve the change that is needed and needed urgently.”
