In 2023-24 our carbon footprint was 190 tonnes CO2e, which is an increase of 48 tonnes CO2e (34%) from the final 2022-23 figure (142 tonnes CO2e).
This equates to 0.87 tonnes CO2e per Full-Time Equivalent employee (FTE), which is a 13% increase from the 2022-23 figure of 0.77 tonnes CO2e.
Our carbon footprint is calculated based on the current UK Government guidance and conversion factors for greenhouse gas reporting issued by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Our approach has been externally validated by Carbon Footprint Ltd in relation to the ISO 14064-3 standard. The verification activities have shown that Changeworks has met the verification criteria satisfactorily.
Our calculation includes the following emissions:
- Scope 1 – Direct emissions from the activities that are under an organisation’s direct control, such as fuel combustion, vehicles and fugitive emissions
- Scope 2 – Indirect emissions related to the production of electricity and heat that is purchased by the organisation
- Scope 3 – All other indirect emissions resulting from activities that are neither owned nor controlled by the entity, including emissions related to the use of consumer goods, transportation, waste treatment, and employee travel and home working.
Since 2018-19, our carbon reduction and offsetting activities have enabled us to be recognised as a Carbon Neutral Organisation.
In 2020-21, a new approach to the Carbon Reduction Plan introduced targets aimed at reducing our carbon footprint to 70% of our 2018-19 calculation by 2030.
This equates to a challenging 14% year-on-year reduction, with a view to becoming true net zero by 2040, reflecting the Scottish Government’s ambition at that time.
A 34% increase in 2023-24 is obviously going in the wrong direction. However, the majority of this can be explained.
Changeworks relocated its Edinburgh office in January 2024. We were advised when signing the lease in April 2023 to include all energy used during the new office fit-out, and the energy used in the working office until relocation, in the footprint calculations.
When the relocation occurred we inherited a non-renewable energy supplier, meaning all electricity data had to be included in the calculations. We now have a 100% renewable energy supplier in Edinburgh, and look forward to reducing our footprint emissions in 2024-25 thanks to the air source heat pump and energy efficiency measures now in place.
Our active Carbon Reduction Team will also contribute as they focus on direct action around behavioural change, in particular home energy use and active travel.
Carbon Database Initiative
The Carbon Database Initiative is a global database that enables organisations to disclose their carbon footprint, net zero commitments and carbon neutral claims. Changeworks is proud to join this growing network of businesses and organisations.