Carbon Neutral Plus

At Nexus Planning, we are committed to having a positive impact on our planet and society, and as such, we are proud to announce that we have achieved ‘carbon negative’ status.

As part of our contribution to addressing the climate crisis we have assessed our carbon emissions and, working with Carbon Footprint, have decided to double offset our emissions, earning the Nexus the status of ‘Carbon Neutral Plus’ – the equivalent of carbon negative. So we will now be taking out more carbon from the atmosphere than we emit

We aim to use this new status as a platform to continue to explore ways to reducing our carbon footprint whilst working with partners on off-setting projects.

A carbon assessment was undertaken which reviewed all trips made by our employees during the period 1st January – 31st December 2019, as well as the CO2 emissions from the consultancy’s three offices in London, Manchester and Reading.  Carbon Footprint then analysed the data and produced a report summarising the company’s emissions, which concluded:

  • Our total footprint during the assessment period is 100.33 tonnes CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to 1.9 tonnes per employee.
  • The most significant emission source is gas consumption for heating, accounting for 36.2% of our carbon footprint.
  • Car trips across the company accounted for around half (48.9%) of all transport emissions, flights 18% (principally to Ireland) and rail travel 29.1%.
  • The commuting data showed that nearly 70% of all commuting trips are by rail and 25.57% are by car (with the remainder being bus/tram travel).

Now that we have established our 2019 carbon footprint we will be explore ways to continually reduce the carbon we emit in delivering our consultancy services.  

 

Our carbon negative project

To off-set the carbon that we currently produce we have chosen to contribute to an accredited tree planting and forest protection initiative. The project plants trees in the UK and also undertakes work to help protect the Amazon Rainforest.

For each tCO2e offset, one tree is planted in the UK – predominantly on school grounds and an additional tCO2e is offset through the Brazilian Amazon Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) project.  Nexus Planning’s contribution will offset 202 tCO2e and will enable 202 trees to be planted in the UK, offsetting carbon emissions, greening our environment and creating space for wildlife.

Managing Director, Roger Tustain, said: “We’re thrilled to have achieved carbon negative status. The environmental agenda is extremely important to Nexus and monitoring and reducing our carbon footprint is part of our contribution to addressing the climate challenge. We are also pleased to be giving back to schools by planting trees – education is a key sector for us as a business, so this is particularly close to our hearts. Looking ahead, in 2021 we will be exploring how we can further reduce our carbon footprint. Using Carbon Footprint’s report, we will be updating our company policy on carbon reduction and sustainable working practices as we all work towards a brighter future for our planet.”

Dr Wendy Buckley, Client Director at Carbon Footprint Ltd, commented: “Nexus Planning has taken leading steps to formally assess its carbon footprint and compensated for all emissions by supporting UK tree planting projects – in schools and nature reserves – also protecting trees in the Brazil Amazon Rainforest. As well as abating climate change, these projects actively support biodiversity.”