Property consultancy Vail Williams has reduced its emissions by 42% since starting its journey towards net zero by 2030. The firm has again voluntarily published its annual Carbon Reduction Statement, this time for the financial year 2023-24.

The firm is not legally required to publish its carbon emissions data, however, chooses to do so in order to be as transparent as possible with regard to the impact of its business activities and to make positive changes in order to reduce its impact on the planet.

Changes made in relocating offices to more energy efficient buildings combined with mandating where possible that energy supply is from green or renewable sources has made a considerable impact.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions which have reduced from the baseline year of 2020-21 by 42% from 100 tCo2e to 57 tCo2e.

Vail Williams’ LLP members are leading by example by switching to by EV or hybrid vehicles when petrol or diesel fuelled vehicles’ contracts end.

As a result, the number of EV miles has increased by over 800% since last year powered wherever possible by green or renewable electricity. The car fleet will be 100% EV or hybrid by end of May 2026.

Scope 3 business travel carbon emissions have also reduced from 2022-23 by nearly 17% to 59.9 tCo2e which the firm is looking to improve with initiatives such as staff being able to save up to 40% on an EV through a salary sacrifice scheme in partnership with Octopus energy.

Scope 1 refers to direct emissions are from sources that an organisation owns or controls, such as burning fuel in vehicles, while Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from the use of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling. Scope 3 encompasses emissions not produced directly by a business but occurring in its value chain, such as through suppliers.

Matthew Samuel Camps, Vail Williams managing partner said:

“With a reduction of nearly 17% of tCo2e of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 business travel since the last financial year it shows that the decisions and changes implemented by the wider business at the direction of the executive board are working and making a positive impact in the right direction."

“We will continue to make these positive changes in order to mitigate our impact on the planet together with encouraging staff in their charitable work and social impact through our volunteering gift days.”

Matthew has overall responsibility for ensuring that sufficient resources are made available to enable the business to achieve its environmental objectives and targets and that the environmental policy is implemented.

He added: “Using carbon calculators we are now beginning to capture wider Scope 3 emissions which will enable us to monitor and make positive choices through our procurement of goods and services going forward.

“From a governance perspective we have updated our Criminal Finance Act Policy to reference the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and have rolled out training to all staff.”

The firm is projecting that Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions will decrease over the next three years to 50 tCO2e by 2027 – a reduction of 50% from the baseline calculation of 2021-22.

Also in the last financial year, Vail Williams has increased its social impact through a review and selection for six new regional charities representing the firm’s six regions.

These are Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Bramber Bakehouse, Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund, Love Brum, Sophie’s Legacy and The Eikon Charity

Staff will be working with the charities to raise funds as well as undertaking conservation volunteering days such as tree planting projects with Andover Trees United and local beach cleans in conjunction with Surfers Against Sewage and the Marine Conservation Society.