Walking the walk to net zero means bringing in sustainable practices and committing to challenging targets across the Watts Group’s operations involving nearly 100 people in seven UK locations.
At the start of the journey, the leadership team at the Watts Group set up a climate group led by Iain MacLaren, the Group’s Lead Director for Scotland.
An early step was to join the SME Climate Hub and align with its UN Climate Change High Level Champion’s Race to Zero campaign. They have signed the pledge to halve their emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045. The SME Climate Hub provides advice and training for like-minded small and medium businesses.
“For us, these are long-stop dates rather than targets, so we are looking to meet our commitments before the deadline.”
Iain MacLaren, Lead Director for Scotland, Watts Group
The Watts Group is now recording its emissions using carbon calculator software, called Normative, and is reporting on them publicly. Internally, the Watts climate group reports directly to the leadership team.
The company is also a member of the UK Green Building Council, which provides access to training and networking opportunities to allow their team to upskill.
“It’s a completely transparent process. It means a client can check our carbon credentials, for example during a tender exercise, without relying on us to provide the information directly. There is no hiding place from what we have committed to as a business, and where we are on that journey, at any point in time.”
Iain MacLaren, Lead Director for Scotland, Watts Group
Their net zero commitment has already prompted some big changes. Realising they no longer need a dedicated desk for everyone in today’s agile workplace, the Watts Group have reduced the floorplate in their two largest offices, London and Manchester, and in London they have also relocated to a more energy-efficient building. Signing the pledge has also changed the Group’s mindset.
“Going through the process, you start to think in more detail about the things that create carbon in your business. Considering the environmental impact of our operations is now at the forefront of the decision-making process. It informs your plans.”
Iain MacLaren, Lead Director for Scotland, Watts Group
To drive forward on sustainability, the climate group is now officially ‘The Watts Climate Hub’. Inspired by the broader SME Climate Hub, its role is to keep the business aligned with it’s commitments and objectives.
The Watts Climate Hub comprises Iain, as Climate Ambassador and a Carbon Accountant, and Francesca James, our Finance and Systems Manager to crunch the numbers, alongside a number of Climate Champions.
Alongside management initiatives, the Watts Group wants to build a ground-up commitment to sustainability by encouraging individuals in the business to learn about and embrace the subject. That includes signposting people to relevant training as part of their CPD programmes.
“We are raising awareness on best practices and ways of delivering. Anyone in the business can use the training tools and materials we can now access to upskill themselves. This adds significantly to the opportunities available to them.”
Iain MacLaren, Lead Director for Scotland, Watts Group
Signing the SME Climate Hub pledge, the company’s wider commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance certification both form part of the Group’s core business values.
From social responsibility to energy savings, carbon reduction and career opportunities, there are many ethical and commercial reasons for businesses and individuals to protect the environment. One of those is building trust.
“If we are advising clients on sustainability, we have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. We’re in a position of influence. We have to be doing the right things ourselves.”
Iain MacLaren, Lead Director for Scotland, Watts Group
