About Volterra
Volterra is a market leading socio-economic consultancy specialising in demonstrating and optimising social, economic and health impact. We have more than 20 years of experience supporting development projects, making the case for infrastructure, and using economic analysis to deliver strategic advice for our partners.
Our mission is to produce robust, transparent and innovative socioeconomic analysis which embraces uncertainty and sets out an accessible and compelling narrative for creating vibrant places. Sustainability is one of the fundamental factors for creating vibrant places. We aim to support this ambition in both our work and our practices.
As a business, we recognise that we are responsible for ensuring that we reduce our environmental impact and are committed to doing so. To reflect this commitment, environment is one of our four themes for delivering social value. This Carbon Reduction Plan reflects our responsibility to ensuring that we minimise our environmental impact.
Compelling insights and narrative
We excel in delivering high quality work by uncovering compelling insights from complex, varied datasets and stakeholder engagement. We go beyond the raw numbers to provide valuable context and identify trends that are shaping the economic landscape.
Embracing uncertainty
Understanding that the economy is a complex system with inherent unpredictability, we provide independent analysis that withstands scrutiny, presenting key assumptions transparently. We believe that analysis should be simple to understand to help focus on the key issues and facilitate public engagement and debate.
Innovating and evolving
As pioneers in economic analysis, we constantly push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking. Recognising that all models are wrong, but some are useful, we refuse to settle on common templates. Innovation and constant improvement lies at the heart of our practice, as we constantly seek fresh ideas and approaches to enhance results.
Fostering a collaborative and cohesive team
We foster a friendly, open and inclusive culture. Collaboration is at the core of our work, and we prioritise building strong relationships with our clients and partners. Our culture is one where people genuinely enjoy working together, making Volterra a place where individuals thrive, ideas flourish and friendships are forged.
What is net zero?
Aim of this Carbon Reduction Plan
This Carbon Reduction Plan presents Volterra’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2040, exceeding the UK Government’s ambitions for emissions reductions. For the first time in 2023/24 we are reporting our carbon emissions. This plan forms the baseline and targets against which future carbon savings will be considered.
Volterra’s commitment to net-zero
Summary of scope of emissions monitored
Scope 1
- None applicable
Scope 2
- On-site energy usage
Scope 3
- Employee energy used when home working
- Business travel
- Employee commuting
- Purchased goods and services
Scope of emissions monitoring
The scope of greenhouse gas emissions included within our ‘carbon footprint’ have been defined in line with the Government’s latest environmental reporting guidance,1 and the widely adopted Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard.2
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Scope 1 - direct greenhouse gas emissions that occur from sources that are owned or controlled by Volterra;
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Scope 2 – greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by Volterra; and
- Scope 3 – other indirect emissions that are a consequence of Volterra’s business activities, e.g. travel to our offices and to meet clients.
The methodology for calculating our carbon footprint is based on the fact that our operations are primarily administrative and that our facilities are managed by an external party.
Baseline emissions footprint
Volterra’s carbon footprint for 2023 is estimated to total 7.52 tCO2e
For the 2023 period, we are reporting our carbon emissions for the first time. This plan forms the baseline and targets for evaluating future carbon reductions. Our baseline emissions inventory includes our measurable Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. All emissions have been calculated using the most relevant emission factors sourced from government and official environmental bodies.
For 2023, our Scope 1,2 and 3 emissions are estimated to total 7.51tCO2e. This figure is approximately equal to the emissions generated by 44,000km of driving in a petrol car (driving between Land’s End and John O’Groats 46 times), or approximately the level of emissions generated by the average UK household in a year. The largest contribution to Volterra’s emissions in 2023 is emissions generated through electricity and gas use during home working. The total emissions of 7.51 tCO2e is equivalent to 0.54 tCO2 per staff member for 2023.
Emissions type | Total emissions (tCO2e) |
|---|---|
Scope 1 | 0 |
Scope 2 | |
Purchased electricity | 0.70 |
Scope 3 | |
Home working | 3.16 |
Business travel | 2.91 |
Employee commuting | 0.73 |
Purchased goods (cloud storage) | 0.02 |
Total emissions | 7.52 |
Emissions per staff member | 0.54 |
Emission reduction targets
We are aiming to:
Reduce our emissions by 40% by 2030
Be carbon neutral by 2025 through purchasing carbon offsets for all residual emissions not mitigated
Achieve net zero by 2040
These targets would see us reduce our emissions annually until we reach net zero by 2040, exceeding the Government’s target.
We commit to publicly reporting our progress against these targets annually until we reach net zero.
- Continue to include environment as one of four themes in our Social Value Strategy.
- Continue to procure 100% renewable electricity.
- Develop a real-time monitoring dashboard to track office energy use.
- Undertake an annual Sustainability Project Audit to ensure we promote sustainable development through
our work.
- Promote active travel commuting measures, including through our cycle to work scheme.
- Raise workforce awareness on recycling and minimising energy use.
- Implement office energy reduction measures (e.g.,
smart plugs). - Upgrade to more efficient equipment when replacing worker and office tools such as laptops.
- Recycle and donate equipment not in use with local charities and/or recycling organisations.
- Encourage energy reduction via cloud storage optimisation.
- Reduce business travel, and particularly travel by air and private vehicle, through effective measurement and a sustainable travel first policy.
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 Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and uses the most relevant emissions factors sourced from government and official environmental bodies, and suppliers. 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.
April 2024
