Carbon Reduction Plan
1. Purpose
Parker Russell recognises that climate change presents significant environmental, economic, and social challenges. As a responsible professional services firm, we are committed to minimising the environmental impact of our operations and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This Carbon Reduction Plan establishes the Firm’s framework for managing greenhouse gas emissions, improving environmental performance, and contributing to the UK’s Net Zero objectives.
This Plan supports the Firm’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and forms part of our wider sustainability strategy.
2. Regulatory and Policy Framework
This Plan has been developed with reference to:
- Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended)
- Environment Act 2021
- UK Net Zero Strategy
- UK Government Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21 – Taking Account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the Procurement of Major Government Contracts
- Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) Guidance (where applicable)
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Principles
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Firm will monitor legislative and regulatory developments and update this Plan accordingly.
3. Commitment to Net Zero
Parker Russell is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.
The Firm aims to:
- Reduce operational emissions year-on-year.
- Improve energy efficiency across all offices.
- Reduce business travel emissions.
- Promote sustainable procurement.
- Minimise waste generation.
- Support responsible environmental practices throughout our supply chain.
4. Scope
This Plan applies to:
- All Parker Russell offices.
- Partners and Directors.
- Employees and consultants.
- Temporary and agency workers.
- Contractors acting on behalf of the Firm.
- Procurement and supplier management activities.
5. Governance and Accountability
Managing Partner
The Managing Partner has overall responsibility for environmental sustainability and carbon reduction within the Firm.
ESG and Sustainability Lead
The ESG Lead shall:
- Monitor implementation of this Plan.
- Coordinate environmental initiatives.
- Collect and review emissions data.
- Report progress to senior management.
- Recommend improvement measures.
Employees
All employees are expected to:
- Support environmental objectives.
- Comply with sustainability initiatives.
- Use resources responsibly.
- Identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts.
The Firm will seek to measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions using recognised methodologies.
Where data is available, emissions will be assessed across:
Scope 1 Emissions
Direct emissions from:
- Gas consumption.
- Company-owned vehicles.
- Fuel use within Firm-controlled premises.
Scope 2 Emissions
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating and cooling.
Scope 3 Emissions
Relevant indirect emissions including:
- Business travel.
- Employee commuting.
- Purchased goods and services.
- Waste disposal.
- Water consumption.
- Cloud services and IT infrastructure.
- Professional service suppliers.
The Firm will seek to improve data quality and reporting coverage over time.
7. Carbon Reduction Targets
Subject to baseline measurement, Parker Russell intends to:
Short-Term Objectives (1–3 Years)
- Establish baseline emissions data.
- Reduce office energy consumption by at least 10%.
- Reduce paper usage by at least 30%.
- Increase digital working practices.
- Expand recycling initiatives.
Medium-Term Objectives (3–7 Years)
- Source electricity from renewable suppliers where commercially viable.
- Reduce business travel emissions through virtual collaboration.
- Increase sustainable procurement requirements.
- Improve office energy performance ratings.
Long-Term Objectives (By 2050)
- Achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- Embed sustainability considerations into all significant operational decisions.
8. Energy Management
The Firm will:
- Conduct periodic energy reviews.
- Install energy-efficient lighting systems.
- Utilise motion sensors and smart controls where practical.
- Purchase energy-efficient equipment.
- Encourage energy-saving behaviours among employees.
- Review opportunities for renewable energy procurement.
9. Sustainable Procurement
Environmental considerations shall form part of procurement decisions.
The Firm will seek to:
- Engage suppliers with demonstrable sustainability commitments.
- Consider environmental performance during supplier selection.
- Encourage suppliers to reduce emissions.
- Reduce unnecessary packaging.
- Prioritise environmentally responsible products and services.
Suppliers may be required to comply with the Firm’s Third-Party Code of Conduct and ESG requirements.
10. Travel and Transportation
Business travel represents a significant source of emissions.
The Firm will:
- Prioritise virtual meetings where appropriate.
- Encourage public transport use.
- Promote active travel options.
- Limit unnecessary air travel.
- Consider environmental impacts when planning business travel.
Travel emissions will be monitored where practicable.
11. Waste Management
The Firm will seek to minimise waste through:
- Waste prevention.
- Reuse initiatives.
- Recycling programmes.
- Responsible disposal of electronic equipment.
- Reduction of single-use materials.
Employees are encouraged to support recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
12. Paper Reduction and Digital Transformation
As a professional services organisation, paper reduction represents a key opportunity for carbon reduction.
The Firm will:
- Promote digital document management.
- Utilise electronic signatures where appropriate.
- Reduce printing.
- Implement secure electronic storage systems.
- Encourage paperless workflows.
13. Training and Awareness
Environmental awareness shall be promoted through:
- Staff communications.
- Sustainability guidance.
- Awareness campaigns.
- Environmental training where appropriate.
Employees will be encouraged to contribute ideas for improving environmental performance.
14. Monitoring and Reporting
The Firm shall:
- Monitor environmental performance annually.
- Review emissions data.
- Assess progress against objectives.
- Report environmental performance to senior management.
- Maintain records supporting environmental reporting.
Where appropriate, environmental information may be published on the Firm’s website or included in ESG disclosures.
15. Continuous Improvement
Parker Russell is committed to the principle of continuous improvement.
Environmental objectives shall be reviewed periodically to ensure:
- Continued compliance with legal requirements.
- Alignment with best practice.
- Support for client and stakeholder expectations.
- Progress towards Net Zero commitments.
This Plan should be read in conjunction with:
- ESG Policy
- Sustainable Procurement Policy
- Third-Party Code of Conduct
- Business Travel Policy
- Environmental Management Procedures
- Modern Slavery Statement
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
17. Review and Approval
This Carbon Reduction Plan shall be reviewed annually or earlier where there are significant legislative, operational, or organisational changes.
Approved by: Managing Partner
Policy Owner: ESG and Sustainability Lead
Version: 1.0
Review Frequency: Annual
