Inenco: Private & Public Sector Approaches to Sustainability and Carbon Reporting
On Tuesday October the 12th, our partner Inenco took over one of our webinars to bring our audience insight into a subject they know best; approaches to sustainability and carbon reporting. The one-hour webinar discussed the similarities and differences between public and private sector approaches.
We were given a short introduction to the event by Sustainability Partnerships Co-Founder Georgia Halston, before we swiftly moved on to Inenco’s fantastic two speakers.
Speakers included:
Jack Shepherd, Product Manager for Carbon and Energy Reporting
&
Bethany Goodwin, Senior Account Manager & NHS Specialist
“We’re seeing more and more disclosure around carbon being mandated for companies to put into their annual report, which forces companies to put it in next to their financial figures”
The webinar was kicked off by Jack with some history on the sustainability of the private sector from 2013 to present day, and how they look to be moving forward with their plans in 2022. We learnt about the how everything including the introduction of mandatory GHG reporting for PLC’s, as well as some of the latest developments such as the need to have carbon reduction plans implemented when bidding for large (>£5million) public sector contracts have been aiding them move towards a better future.
“We now have a Green Plan guide, which explains exactly what needs to be covered in every green plan, and those will be being published in January next year.”
We then received a similar timeline from Beth, but about the NHS’s efforts in becoming more sustainable. The NHS timeline began in 2008, when the first NHS sustainable development unit was established. Five years earlier than that of the private sector and NHS plans stretch all the way to a net zero target in 2045. Beth explained the latest developments in 2021 of NHS trusts procuring REGO-backed green electricity and the introduction of the Green Plan guide.
“The private sector approach is to report on scope one and two, and keep an eye on your scope three, but not necessarily set targets for scope three reductions.”
Beyond this, Jack and Beth explained the differences between how the public and private sector choose to report on sustainability and carbon. We were shown informative images detailing the direct and indirect emission outputs as Jack and Beth informed viewers on which areas were included in each sectors reports.
Within this section, Beth explained how the NHS has been able to use their size as a great influence on the private sector so far with the introduction of PPN 06/21, which requires suppliers to the NHS to have plans in place on how they’re going to achieve net zero carbon.
“The view from the NHS is that they’re a large purchaser of goods, and you can wield some level of influence over what’s going on and can start to manipulate other companies and change the way that other companies approach things.”
The two speakers conversed on the needs of each sector and how that was to be met by the other, mainly the private sector needing to respond to that of the public sector. They delved into what must be done on both sides to reach the strong and ambitious targets set out so far. And with a 2024 deadline for suppliers of the NHS to meet, changes will need to be implemented soon!
“Suppliers can see that the 2024 deadline is no longer that far away. We are getting many suppliers coming to us now needing to fix their own carbon goals and sustainability missions in order to continue to supply to the NHS.”
We were also shown a very interesting table from Beth with a comparison of the sections included within carbon reporting by both sectors, which showed just how far ahead the NHS are in transparency.
An amazing event, driven by our partners Inenco. If you would like more information, please contact us or Inenco.