Our carbon reduction plan

Rethink Mental Illness is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2045. This includes a target of 2040 for emissions that are under our control and 2045 for emissions that we can influence.

Our organisation recognises the urgent need to rapidly decarbonise the UK public sector, along with the whole of UK industry and global emissions. Therefore, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is a key priority. This strategy and carbon reduction plan will cover the baseline year of FY 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023 and emissions from reporting year 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025, including clear carbon reduction targets with timescales and short, medium, and long-term objectives over 2024 – 2028 to achieve our organisational net zero goal.

Baseline Emissions Footprint

We conducted an analysis of our baseline emissions for the financial year 2022/23, and found that our overall carbon footprint equals 2.603.3 tCO2e. Approximately 63% of the total footprint of our organisation originates from third-party suppliers, specifically in the production and transportation of capital goods, software and purchased services. Additionally, 9% of our organisation’s footprint stems from employee business travel, and a further 9% from assets through which the organisation provides a service but has no operational control, resulting in a total of 81% of the overall footprint being associated with Scope 3 emissions (Categories 1, 6 and 8). Around 15% of emissions are attributed to Scope 1 sources, occurring on sites owned or leased by the organisation, primarily linked to combustion in gas boilers. The remaining 4% is accounted for by Scope 2 indirect emissions arising from electricity purchased by the organisation. While these percentages align with industry norms, we anticipate an increase in the percentage of Scope 3 emissions, particularly once Rethink Mental Illness starts reporting under Category 5 (emissions related to waste) of Scope 3 emissions as defined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Furthermore, as the current baseline is based on spend data, a projected increase in expenditure for third-party goods and services will result in a corresponding increase in emissions.

 

Baseline Year: FY 2022 – 2023
Additional Details relating to the Baseline Emissions calculations.
Our methodology follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, World Resource Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) methodology for calculating the baseline for greenhouse gas emissions.
Baseline year emissions: 2603.3
EMISSIONS	TOTAL (tCO2e)
Scope 1	404.5
Scope 2 (location-based)	98.1
Scope 2 (market-based)	0
Scope 3 (Including all sources)	2,100.7
Total Emissions	2,603.3

 

Current Emissions Reporting

 

Reporting Year: FY 2024 – 2025
EMISSIONS	TOTAL (tCO2e)
Scope 1	390.5
Scope 2 (location-based)	91.4
Scope 2 (market-based)	0
Scope 3	2,146.3
Total Emissions	2,628.2

Emissions reduction targets

To continue our progress to achieving net zero, we have adopted the following carbon reduction targets.

• Scope 1: We commit to reaching Scope 1 net zero emissions by 2040, by implementing energy efficiency measures and offsetting any remaining emissions from direct sources. 
  
  
• Scope 2: We commit to reaching net zero emissions by 2030 by sourcing 100% of our electricity from renewable sources. This will involve seeking REGO certificates with renewable energy providers and exploring on-site solar installations.
  
  
• Scope 3: We commit to reaching Scope 3 net zero emissions by 2045 by working closely with our suppliers, promoting low-carbon transportation and applying a sustainability supplier matrix to assess where we can reduce our impact in this area.

Many of the objectives set out in our strategy will set critical foundational steps to achieve our net zero goals. We project that carbon emissions will decrease over the next five years from 2,516 tCO2e to 2,236 tCO2e by 2028, and in the next ten years to 1,497 tCO2e by 2033. This will result in a carbon footprint reduction of 41% by 2033.  

Carbon Reduction Projects

Completed Carbon Reduction Initiatives

Since the baseline year of FY 2022/23, various environmental management initiatives and projects were successfully undertaken. One notable example is the replacement of outdated heating boilers at Cavendish Lodge with more energy-efficient models. Furthermore, numerous care homes and supported residential properties underwent upgrades, including the replacement of old fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient LED lamps in communal areas, stairwells, and kitchens, often extending to the entire property. These upgrades not only enhance light levels for residents but also result in substantial electricity savings. Moreover, efforts were made to improve energy efficiency by installing or upgrading loft insulation at these sites, aiming to improve thermal comfort and reduce gas consumption.

In addition to these on-site improvements, Rethink Mental Illness has taken steps to prioritise renewable energy procurement. Currently, the organisation has an energy procurement contract with EDF that supplies 100% renewable electricity supply, aligning with Rethink Mental Illness's sustainability goals and demonstrating a dedication to environmental stewardship. This green electricity contract is supported by a REGO certificate, verifying that EDF’s proportion of electricity in the National Grid is supplied by renewable sources.

Future Carbon Reduction Initiatives

Rethink Mental Illness’s ESG strategy for 2024-2028 pinpoints opportunities for substantial emission reductions. These will be achieved through enhanced energy efficiency measures at our sites, rigorous monitoring of waste and water consumption throughout our operations, and the implementation of sustainable practices in waste and water management. Additionally, we are promoting sustainable transportation solutions, adopting a responsible procurement strategy, and devising an offsetting plan to address 10% of our remaining emissions.

Furthermore, Rethink Mental Illness aims to improve internal data collection and management practices to accurately report carbon emissions year on year, expanding the provision of data to more accurately cover emissions from waste and water use. 

Declaration and Sign Off

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.

Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard[1] and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting[2].

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements, and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard[3].

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the board of directors (or equivalent management body).

Signed on behalf of the supplier:

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Date: 20/09/2024

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