Our Carbon Reduction Plan

Our commitment to achieving Net Zero

Help for Psychology is committed to a Carbon Reduction Plan to achieve Net Zero by 2044. In practice, this equates to a 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2050 from our 2024 baseline. The remaining emissions will be balanced by emissions removals to achieve net zero.

To ensure tangible and continuous progress towards our long-term target, we have also introduced the following milestones:

50 % reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2034 from our 2024-5 baseline
50 % reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2034 from our 2024-5 baseline

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. The year 2024-25 is the first instance where we completed a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas inventory. Prior to this, we had not established a baseline for our emissions. As a result, we have selected this year to be our baseline.

Baseline Year: 2024-25
EMISSIONS	TOTAL (tCO2e)
Scope 1	Energy – natural gas: Other fuels Refrigerant Passenger travel Total scope 1 emissions: 8.50 tCO2
Scope 2	Energy – electricity: Total scope 2 emissions: 0.84 tCO2
Scope 3	Waste generated in operations Water treatment Hotel stays Homeworking Total scope 3 emissions: 1.35 tCO2
Total Emissions	10.70 tCO2

Current Emissions Reporting

Reporting Year: 2024 – As per the baseline, as Help for Psychology has not previously assessed or reported emissions
EMISSIONS	TOTAL (tCO2e)
Scope 1	8.50 tCO2
Scope 2	0.84 tCO2
Scope 3	1.35 tCO2
Total Emissions	10.70 tCO2

Progress against these targets will be tracked and monitored with projected versus actual carbon reduction in subsequent years.

Carbon Reduction Initiatives

Help for Psychology is committed to being a socially and environmentally responsible business.

We actively promote the use of online and digital tools and diagnostics to reduce business travel, where this is clinically appropriate. We also encourage our staff and associates to be flexible in their ways of working , for example meetings in person or via online meeting places, to suit their needs.

An analysis of our 2023-24 emissions shows that our impact continues to be caused by Scope 1 emissions, demonstrated below:

We expect to make significant progress on our emissions by:

Controlled use of the offices’ thermostats
Being efficient in room usage and use of heating for rooms
Reminding colleagues to switch off lights and equipment that is on standby
Switch to energy-saving lights and bulbs upon replacement
Switching off extractor fans when not required
Car sharing initiatives
Encourage the use of public transport where possible
Monitoring the volumes of out-of-office visits to clients and where reductions are possible

Our Emissions Reduction Projects

During 2024 and 2025 we plan to implement a Sustainable Travel Policy to reduce travel where possible and to encourage our staff to use public transport. We will explore the feasibility of introducing potential supporting measures such as:

Cycle to Work

Cycle to work schemes: encouraging employees to cycle to work, thereby reducing emissions from commuting and also promotes a healthier lifestyle for our workforce.

Hybrid Working

Support more hybrid working, allowing more staff to work from home and reducing the need for daily commuting. This would lead to lower emissions and provide a better work life balance for many employees.

Public Transportation

Support for sustainable commuting and use of public transport. This would reduce emissions from car travel and support sustainable travel.

Other Projects in Consideration

We are also considering other options to reduce emissions:

Exploring high-quality renewable electricity tariff
Exploring food waste recycling with the local council
Exploring options for workforce climate awareness training
Appointing a Green Champion from our staff base to lead and take responsibility for our sustainability initiatives.

Declaration

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 and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting .

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.

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