In a move to demonstrate its commitment to become net zero by 2030, EDW Group has become carbon neutral.
EDW group, comprising of TEAM Energy and EDW Technology, is a market leader in delivering carbon management and energy retail solutions, helping customers manage their energy and reduce carbon emissions.
As part of our own comprehensive carbon reduction strategy, we have set out to become net zero by 2030 supported by achieving carbon neutrality this year. We also manage its environmental performance following an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
Our carbon neutral status is underpinned by a plan to reduce emissions along a 1.5°C trajectory, based on best practice energy management for the business type and energy efficiency and technology projects. Initiatives include removing barriers for employees to reduce their own emissions associated with commuting and homeworking, a large part of our Scope 3 emissions.
To help mitigate the impact of our business emissions as we work towards our 2030 goal, we decided to invest in verified carbon offsetting schemes sourced from the voluntary carbon market.
The projects we selected were from the Gold Standard Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VER) programme to ensure the carbon credits are independently verified and stand up to scrutiny.
Our aim was to offset 100% of the carbon emissions associated with operations across all businesses. We chose projects that align with our business values to support energy efficiency and sustainable tech innovation and include a domestic energy efficiency project in Rwanda, a wind power project in Rajasthan, a biomass power project in Chhattisgarh, India, and an energy and biodiversity restoration project in Honduras. Our investment into these projects has helped save 333 tonnes of CO2 emissions from being released into the atmosphere, equivalent to the groups carbon emissions over the previous financial year.
Timothy Holman, Head of Operations and net zero strategy lead at TEAM Energy commented:
As a consultancy business helping other companies start their net zero journey and reach their sustainability goals, we wanted to lead by example; Investing in carbon offsetting projects enables us to do as much as possible while we accelerate our own plans to be net zero by 2030.
For our carbon offsetting plan to work successfully, we carefully analysed, calculated and reported on our own Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to build a picture of what our long-term carbon reduction strategy will look like and to forecast all emissions associated with the business.
Our chosen projects not only help to reduce carbon emissions but also have a positive impact in different ways that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. That they are VER to the highest standard ensures they are really making a difference.
Simon Miles, CEO of EDW Group, added:
We are thrilled to share our commitment to net zero by becoming a carbon neutral company.
As a business with experts helping other businesses make positive and sustainable change and as an Employee Ownership Trust with colleagues who are passionate about protecting the environment, we recognise our duty to mitigate climate change.
By reducing our carbon footprint and investing in sustainable initiatives, we hope to inspire other companies to follow our lead and join us in creating a better, more sustainable future.
Our carbon neutral status is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey and reflects our dedication to responsible business practices. We remain focused on building a sustainable future by driving down scope emissions through plans that include a green procurement policy, a transition to renewable electricity, net zero IT services, strategies to reduce water consumption and wastewater treatment, initiatives to reduce employee commuting emissions and electric vehicle charging. Read the full net zero strategy here.