Quality Care Group Carbon Reduction Plan

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1. Energy Efficiency and Office Operations

Goal: Achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions from office operations by 2035.

Reduction in energy consumption: Continue to build on the 70% energy reduction since 2015, implementing further energy-saving measures such as:

• Optimising heating, cooling, and lighting systems to maximise efficiency.
• Installing smart meters and energy management systems.
• Transitioning to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.) for office energy needs.
• Net Zero Target by 2035: Our Carbon Reduction Plan aligns with our net zero by 2035 goal, focusing on minimising office energy use and resource consumption.

Sustainable office practices:

• Enforce a recycling policy for materials such as metal, timber, glass, plastics, paper, electrical items, and food waste.
• Reduce paper usage by adopting digital workflows where possible.
• Implement a policy of eco-friendly procurement, ensuring all office materials and supplies meet sustainability criteria.

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2. Sustainable Commuting and Travel Emissions

Goal: Reduce travel emissions by 50% by 2028, with a focus on staff commuting and business-related travel.

Encouraging sustainable commuting:

• Promote cycling to work by providing cycle-friendly facilities, such as secure cycle storage, showers, drying areas, and a cycle cleaning/maintenance area.
• Introduce incentives for carpooling and public transport use to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.

Reducing business travel emissions:

• Prioritise virtual meetings and video conferencing to minimise travel requirements.
• Encourage the use of electric or hybrid vehicles for essential business travel.

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3. Supply Chain Sustainability

Goal: Ensure 100% of suppliers meet sustainable practice standards by 2030.

Supply chain monitoring:

• Conduct sustainability audits of all suppliers and partners, ensuring they comply with environmental standards.
• Partner with suppliers who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

Sustainable procurement:

• Prioritise sourcing materials and services from local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions.
• Ensure that all goods and services procured meet sustainability certifications (e.g., FSC for wood products, low-carbon technologies).

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4. Care Sector Support for Net Zero

Goal: Support 100% of care homes in the Quality Care Group network in their journey to net zero by 2035.

• Partner with sustainability experts to provide care homes with tailored support and guidance on reducing their emissions.
• Offer practical solutions for care providers, including energy audits, waste management strategies, and resource optimisation.
• Facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources in care homes by providing access to grants, subsidies, or discounted services.

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5. Waste and Recycling Management

Goal: Achieve a 90% recycling rate for office and care facility waste by 2028.

• Office recycling: Implement and monitor the strict recycling policy already in place, ensuring compliance and increasing the variety of recyclables collected.
• Reducing food and organic waste: Work with care homes to implement food waste reduction initiatives, including composting and donation schemes for surplus food.

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6. Community and Environmental Engagement

Goal: Foster environmental awareness and action among staff and partners by participating in at least 4 environmental initiatives per year.

• Beach cleans and local initiatives: Continue participating in beach cleans in Hove and extend engagement to other local environmental causes.
• Staff engagement: Provide training on sustainability practices and incentivise staff to engage in environmental volunteering.

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7. Renewable Energy Transition

Goal: Power 100% of Quality Care Group facilities with renewable energy by 2030.

• Installation of renewable energy systems: Explore the feasibility of solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable technologies across all owned facilities.
• Partnering with green energy providers to transition our energy consumption to renewable sources by 2030.
• Monitoring and Reporting

Goal: Provide annual reporting on progress towards carbon neutrality.

• Tracking progress: Establish a clear process for measuring carbon emissions, including tracking energy use, waste generation, and travel data.
• Annual carbon report: Publish an annual report detailing our progress toward our carbon neutrality targets, including successes and areas for improvement.

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Conclusion

Quality Care Group is dedicated to leading the way in sustainability within the care sector. Our Carbon Reduction Plan outlines a clear path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, with intermediate milestones, continuous improvement, and collaboration with our partners. We believe that through these efforts, we can contribute to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.

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