Next Step Hire is committed to reducing its environmental impact and contributing to the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This policy outlines our approach to measuring, managing, and reducing our carbon footprint in line with UK legislation and best practices.

Scope

This policy applies to all operations of Next Step Hire, including:

Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions from owned or controlled sources.

Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by the company.

Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain, including business travel, waste disposal, and supply chain activities.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Next Step Hire complies with the following UK regulations:

Climate Change Act 2008: Adhering to the UK’s legally binding carbon budgets and net-zero target by 2050.

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR): Reporting annual energy use, carbon emissions, and energy efficiency measures.

Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Bill 2019: Complying with requirements for large companies to disclose energy use and carbon emissions.

Emission Measurement and Reporting

We measure our carbon emissions using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and report annually in line with SECR requirements. Our emissions are calculated using the UK Government’s Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.

Carbon Reduction Targets

Next Step Hire is committed to:

Short-Term Goal: Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 10% over the next 3 years.

Long-Term Goal: Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

These targets will be reviewed annually and adjusted as necessary to ensure continuous improvement.

Strategies for Emission Reduction

To achieve our carbon reduction targets, we will implement the following strategies:

Energy Efficiency: Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and equipment, and optimize heating and cooling systems.

Renewable Energy: Transition to renewable energy sources where feasible.

Sustainable Travel: Promote the use of public transport, cycling, and walking for business travel; encourage virtual meetings to reduce travel emissions.

Waste Management: Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to minimize waste-related emissions.

Supply Chain Management: Work with suppliers to reduce emissions across the supply chain.

Roles and Responsibilities

Board of Directors: Approve and oversee the implementation of the carbon policy.

Sustainability Officer: Monitor emissions, track progress towards targets, and report annually.

All Employees: Participate in training and adopt practices that reduce carbon emissions.

Monitoring and Review

The carbon policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with UK regulations. Progress towards carbon reduction targets will be reported in the company’s annual sustainability report.

Communication

This policy will be published on our website and communicated to all employees, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability.