Sustainability

In 2022 The Carey Group’s Carbon reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Science-based targets provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. More than 4,000 businesses around the world are already working with the Science Based Targets initiative.

Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.

Since the validation of our targets, we’ve been measuring and tracking our performance annually, while implementing initiatives to reduce our carbon impacts and are pleased to share the progress we’ve made against our targets to date:

We committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by FY2030 from a FY2019 base year : As of October 2023, we have reduced our absolute Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 52%.

We committed to reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from purchased goods and services by 50% within the same time frame: As of October 2023, we have reduced our scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 36%

We still have a long way to go to achieve our targets and must continue to consider and reduce carbon in all that we do as a business. While our company has reduced its turnover between our base year and FY23, which has partly contributed to our overall reduction, there are a number of initiatives adopted across the Group that have contributed to our performance where we must continue to drive improvements, these include;

• A reduction in our diesel consumption as a business, including the transitioning of our own HGV fleet to sustainably certified Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) which has a 90% lower carbon footprint than ordinary diesel.

• Commencing alignment of our energy supplies to certified renewable tariffs

• Continuing to utilise more electric and battery-operated tools on our sites and starting the process of renewing our Plant & Fleet for newer, more efficient alternatives.

• Our sites working closely with our supply chain and clients to lower our carbon impact, through the selection of lower embodied carbon materials such as concrete, plasterboard, and steel reinforcement

The Carey Group plans to make a CDP Climate disclosure of our FY 2023 performance in 2024

Validation of our science-based targets would not have been possible without the expertise and support of Trio Advisory, we thank them for all their hard work.

This starts with working in accordance with the requirements of our ISO14001 Environmental Management System as a minimum and ensuring best practice across all areas of our operations.

We are working through the Compliance+ component of our sustainability approach to ensure that we develop verbal and visual standards which identify the our minimum standards, much in the same way as our health and safety approach. This will set the bar for our exemplary performance and ensure we go far beyond mere legal compliance.

Creating value for our communities is something we are passionate about, whether that’s through open employment, apprenticeships, trainee and work experience opportunities. We also look to provide opportunities for local organisations including small to medium enterprises, charities and social enterprises as well as training and support where applicable.

Careys are beginning to also define and quantify the added social value on projects. Giving back to the community is something that Careys has been committed too, long before the concept of social value. Through the Careys Foundation, we have for a number of years, taken pride in our approach to helping others. Find out more here

Examples of the typical initiatives we implement include: