Carbon Reduction Plan
Scope of emissions monitoring
Scope 1
Direct greenhouse gas emissions that occur from sources that are owned or controlled by Volterra
Scope 2
Greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by Volterra
Scope 3
Other indirect emissions that are a consequence of Volterra’s business activities, e.g. travel to our offices and to meet clients.
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
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 Commuuting | 0.73 |
| Purchased Goods (Cloud Storage) | 0.02 |
| Total Emissions | 7.52 |
| Emissions Per Staff Member | 0.54 |
Emission reduction targets
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.
We are expecting our workforce to grow in future years. This will make achieving our targets difficult. To do so, we have outlined a range of emissions reduction measures within our Social Value Strategy, these include:
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.
