Carbon Reduction Plan

Introduction
We are committed to environmental sustainability and recognise the vital role we play in addressing climate change. Our Carbon Reduction Plan outlines our dedicated approach to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices within our architecture studio based in London, UK.

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with the Procurement Policy Note 06/21 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans. The UK Government amended the Climate Change Act 2008 in 2019 by introducing a target of at least a 100% reduction in the net UK carbon account by 2050. This is otherwise known as the Net Zero target. We have resolved to adopt a more assertive approach and have revised our target reduction to be achieved by the year 2040.

This plan encompasses a comprehensive strategy, including the baseline measurement of our current carbon emissions, setting ambitious reduction goals, and implementing specific actions and initiatives to achieve these targets. Our key areas of focus include enhancing energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing waste, promoting sustainable transportation, and engaging our stakeholders in our sustainability efforts.

Our Carbon Reduction Plan is a vital component of our commitment to creating a sustainable future. It reflects our dedication to reducing our environmental impact, building a stronger relationship with stakeholders, achieving cost efficiencies, and complying with regulatory requirements. 

Commitment to achieving Net Zero
Cagni Williams Associates is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040.

 Baseline Emissions Footprint
Baseline emissions are a record of the greenhouse gases that have been produced in the past and were produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions. Baseline emissions are the reference point against which emissions reduction can be measured.  

Baseline Emissions + Current Emissions Reporting 01/04/2023-31/03/2024
We have been actively working on reductions to our Carbon Footprint since 2019 but this is our first reporting period and therefore our baseline is also our first record – the period from April 2023 to March 2024. It will become our baseline for future annual reviews and reports.

Emissions - Total (tCO₂e)
Scope 1 (direct emissions) = 0
Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) = 8.38
Scope 3 included sources (other indirect emissions like business travel and waste) = 55.20
Total Emissions = 63.58
 
Emissions are calculated using Business Carbon Calculator by Normative.

Kyoto Protocol’s Six Greenhouse Gases
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty adopted in 1997 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its primary goal is to combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Participating countries committed to specific targets for reducing emissions of six greenhouse gases, with the aim of mitigating climate change impacts. The six greenhouse gases are:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – see above
2. Methane (CH₄) – n/a
3. Nitrous Oxide (CO₂) – n/a
4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HSFc) – n/a
5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) – n/a
6. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆) – n/a

Our focus has been primarily on mitigating Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This is because the nature of our work involves no direct emissions of other gases, as they are typically associated with sectors such as agriculture, industrial processes, and specific manufacturing industries. By concentrating on reducing CO₂ emissions through sustainable design practices and energy-efficient building solutions, we contribute to environmental stewardship within the scope of our expertise and operations. 


Emissions Reductions Targets
To continue our progress to achieving Net Zero, we have adopted the following carbon reduction targets. We project that to achieve Net Zero by 2040, our annual carbon reduction rate should be 3.97 tCO₂e or 6.25%. We would hope to improve on this.


Carbon Reduction Projects

Completed Carbon Reduction Initiatives
The following environmental management measures and projects have been completed or implemented since the 2023-2024 baseline. The carbon emission reduction achieved by these schemes equate to 1.27 tCO2e, a 2% reduction against the 2023-2024 baseline and the measures are now in effect.

Pre pandemic the practice was in an inefficient office built in the 1960s, and the decision was made to move the practice to a sustainably built building instead with efficiency built into the heating and cooling. The move was finally made in 2021 to a new studio rented from Workspace Group PLC. In 2019, Workspace signed up to the Better Building Partnership (BBP) Climate Change Commitment to deliver net zero carbon real estate portfolios by 2050. Since then, they have carried out a review of their business and value chain emissions and have announced that they have brought this forward to 2030. 

This means that our Scope 1 + 2 run in line with the above, including zero emissions, due to renewable energy contracts.

Emissions during 2020 were extremely low due to the total lack of business travel as the team worked from home. However, our aim is to keep this down with many business meetings now taking place via video calls.

To continue to reduce our carbon footprint in 2023 we took the decision to remove our old internal server. Inevidesk now supports our team across the total studio with a remote cloud-based server system, powering them to use all the software they need, from Revit to Adobe Photoshop, and 3DS Max with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The practice first looked at VDI as a superior way of supporting remote working for its employees during the pandemic. But after returning to our physical office, it was evident to the practice it was time to consolidate its IT infrastructure. Inevidesk generates 62% less carbon than the older traditional physical workstation.

Clearly, during the pandemic company travel and flights were at 0%. Since then, all team members travel to work via public transport.

 In the future, we hope to implement further measures such as:

• Check our travel arrangements to further reduce our carbon footprint
• Encourage staff to walk and cycle to work
• Encourage and inform staff regarding lowering their own Carbon Footprint via talks, workshops and reports
• Encourage and inform clients regarding lowering Carbon Emissions through architectural design
• Engage with customers on sustainability-related topics through events, workshops, toolkits and campaigns
• Recycle all paper and aluminium in the office
• View architectural magazines online rather than physically

We are committed to maintaining comprehensive documentation of our strategies, targets, and progress and will update this information yearly at www.cagniwilliams.com underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability.

 
Cagni Williams Associates’ Environmental Management Measures
Our model is a framework of policies, procedures and practices that helps our office to manage and reduce our impact on the environment. Its aim is to provide a structured approach to evaluate, identify and mitigate environmental impacts through:

• Compliance with environmental requirements
• Waste reduction and minimal pollution
• Continuous improvement of environmental performance
• Efficient use of resources
 
Our model is linked closely to our Environmental Management System (SS C013 EM01), which identifies the environmental management measures that we are able to apply for the studio and each project undertaken. 

All of this sits within our Quality Management System (SS C012) which monitors, audits and reviews progress and required actions.