Today we have published our annual carbon emissions report for 2023, as we continue on our journey towards net zero by 2030.
Whilst not obligated to do so, we release our carbon emissions data each year to demonstrate transparency and accountability around the impact that our business has on the planet.
By voluntarily disclosing this data, we recognise where we are making positive changes in meeting our carbon commitment and environmental policy goals, whilst acknowledging, identifying and planning potential areas for improvement.
We first began reporting at the height of the pandemic in 2021, when much of the country was in lockdown and business travel was negligible.
Last year, with much more business travel than before, we expected to see this impact on our carbon emissions, with a rise in use of fuel for transport and business travel.
Recognising the likelihood that this trend would continue as we got back to business as usual, and following consultation with our Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Team and Regional Managing Partners, we implemented several changes throughout 2023 which have had a positive impact on our carbon footprint.
Thanks to these developments, the overall total gross CO2 output for the firm remained relatively static in 2023, at 0.7% increase on 2022 (161.4 tonnes of CO2), despite business travel having increased by 4% across the business. Meanwhile, carbon emissions per person remain under 1 tonne at 0.95 tCO2, according to our carbon management dashboard.
Utilities emissions
We are also pleased to report that gas emissions have decreased, meanwhile electricity consumption is 19% down on 2022 figures.
The decline in emissions from gas and electricity consumption is thanks in part to switching gas and electricity suppliers to green and renewable sources. In addition to this, where not in our direct control, we have challenged our landlords to ensure that the utilities companies supplying our office buildings, are either green or renewable.
This has seen us switch to 100% renewable energy across several of our offices, as well as relocating to more sustainable premises with better green credentials and EPC Ratings in Reading and London in 2022 and Woking in 2023.
Travel emissions
As we expected, our carbon emissions from fleet vehicles (Scope 1) and other business travel (Scope 3) in 2023 are up on the previous years’ figures as our agents and surveyors are out visiting sites, organising viewings, attending events and meeting clients much more.
Fleet emissions (which excludes commute) increased by 5% in 2023 compared with 2022, meanwhile business travel was up by 16%.
In line with the objectives we set out in our Environmental Policy, our LLP members strive to lead by example by switching to hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).
In 2023, over 30% of LLP members moved from petrol or diesel cars to hybrid or EVs and three petrol / diesel cars came off contract, which means that we remain on track to be petrol free by the end March 2026.
Not only this, we have seen a 412% increase in the number of EV miles in 2023, compared with 2021, however this does need to be taken in the context of the pandemic. If you compare the increase between 2023 and 2022, there remains a 75% increase in EV miles, which we expect to continue into 2024 and beyond.
Speaking about this year’s carbon emissions report, Managing Partner Matthew Samuel-Camps said:
“We have made great strides as a business over the last year and are encouraged by the results of our carbon report. Our overall objective is to shrink our carbon footprint by 10% year on year and we have implemented lots of adjustments, big and small, to gain the momentum needed to move towards this goal.
“Like any business, there will always be more that we can achieve in reducing our carbon footprint. We are candid about those areas we can continue to improve on, including travel. We accept that travel is a necessity for our business because we have to inspect properties, for example, and this will continue to be an area of primary focus for us.”