Carbon reduction plan

1. Introduction

Lighthouse is a mission-driven consultancy focused on net zero and sustainable development. This carbon reduction plan outlines our strategy to reduce our carbon footprint, building on our commitment to sustainability in line with UK government targets. Both founders are committed to leading by example, driving electric vehicles and using renewable energy at home.

Our aim is to align our business operations with the UK government’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

2. Scope and objectives

• Objective: To reduce emissions in line with UK government targets by measuring, reducing and offsetting carbon from our operations.

• Scope: This plan applies to our predominantly remote workforce and our use of technology and travel.

3. Measuring and tracking emissions

We will establish a baseline measurement of our carbon emissions, including energy usage in our home offices (factoring in the use of solar power), any business travel and the environmental impact of our digital infrastructure. We will use the BEIS Greenhouse Gas Reporting framework to ensure accurate measurement and reporting, and will review our progress annually.

4. Energy and technology efficiency

• Electric vehicles: Both founders drive electric vehicles, ensuring minimal emissions from business travel.

• Renewable energy: One founder’s home is powered 75% by solar panels and a battery solution, while the other is planning to add solar panels in 2025. This significantly reduces our reliance on grid electricity and lowers our overall carbon footprint.

• Digital services: We will partner with data centres that use renewable energy and have carbon-neutral operations to reduce the impact of our digital services.

5. Minimising business travel

With 95% of our operations being remote, we will continue to minimise business travel and favour virtual meetings. When travel is essential, we will use electric vehicles and offset emissions from longer journeys on trains.

6. Waste reduction and digital practices

We are committed to a digital-first approach to reduce our environmental impact. We will minimise paper usage through electronic documentation and adopt sustainable practices during any in-person engagements, such as reducing waste and recycling.

7. Staff engagement in sustainable practices

We will encourage sustainable practices in our home offices, such as using energy-efficient devices and maximising the use of renewable energy. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we will explore additional ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

8. Supporting research into net zero solutions

Lighthouse is currently supporting research into net zero solutions in collaboration with government teams and sustainability academics at Leeds University. This work allows us to contribute to innovative approaches and keep up to date with the latest developments in sustainability.

Whilst our long-term involvement is not guaranteed, we are committed to sharing knowledge gained from this research with our clients and incorporating these insights into our carbon reduction strategy.

9. Aligning with UK government targets

We will reduce our emissions in line with the UK’s net zero target by 2050. Our short-term goal is a 20% reduction in emissions by 2025, achieved through the continued use of electric vehicles, renewable energy, and energy-efficient operations. We will evolve our strategy as government policies and technologies develop.

10. Future commitments

We will review this plan annually to measure our progress and refine our strategies. As our consultancy grows, we will continue to embed sustainability into our services, ensuring that our work supports net zero and sustainable development.

11. Complying with UK government procurement guidelines

Lighthouse is committed to meeting the UK government’s procurement guidelines for sustainability, ensuring that our services are delivered in a way that minimises environmental impact.