Serious action to address the climate emergency requires all organisations to contribute and in many cases to transition their own operations. At IEMA, our ISO 14001 certified EMS has helped drive down our absolute emissions by over 50%. Initiatives such as our extensive webinar programme have significantly displaced carbon emissions when compared to equivalent traditional events.

Whilst IEMA’s residual emissions will be offset through verified, Gold Standard or equivalent quality schemes, the increased urgency required by the science has catalysed a review of our aspects and impacts register; as Professor Michael Braungart said in his 2018 presentation to IEMA Fellows: “...it is not good enough to do less bad.”

IEMA has therefore committed to Pledge to Net Zero, including science-based GHG reductions (registered with Race to Zero).

Moving beyond carbon neutrality, we commit to progressively reduce our residual GHG emissions. Through ongoing energy efficiency, environmental management and technology developments, we will investigate opportunities to eliminate GHG emissions from our operations. IEMA will promote systemic change and support along the whole value chain, and including commitments from our supplier base. Through effective communication and advice, we will support our staff and other stakeholders in responding to the emergency.

Using UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for company reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, IEMA’s greenhouse gas emissions are as follows:

* Figures restated to include emissions from homeworking and necessary staff commuting during lockdown

From 2019 to 2021, IEMA used green energy tariffs for its office but reported electricity emissions using the more conservative location-based approach (i.e., grid average emission factors).

IEMA recognised the need to report homeworking emissions as a result of the permanent move to homeworking in 2021. IEMA will continue to investigate its supply chain procurement Scope 3 emissions.

In line with IEMA commitments under the Pledge to Net Zero Scheme, IEMA has calculated a Science-Based Reduction Target.

Based on the above data and using the more ambitious 1.5 degree Celsius scenario, IEMA is committed to the following Science-Based Emissions Reduction Target for the reduction of our GHG emissions covering Scopes 1 and 2 and Scope 3 emissions. We have used the Absolute Contraction Approach and the baseline year is 2019:

1. Reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions comprising gas and electricity to meet a 46.2% reduction of emissions to not exceed 7 tCO2e by the first Target Year 2030.
2. Reduce our Scope 3 emissions comprising our business travel and staff commuting to meet a 46.2% reduction of emissions to not exceed 18.1 tCO2e by the first Target Year 2030.

NOTES – Pledge to Net Zero

The Pledge to Net Zero scheme has been established to commit organisations from the environmental sector to take a leadership role in the transition to a net zero carbon economy.

Pledge signatories commit to:

1. Set and commit to deliver a greenhouse gas target in line with either a 1.5°C or well below 2°C climate change scenario – covering buildings and travel as a minimum.
2. Publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and progress against this target each year.
3. Publish one piece of research/thought-leadership each year on practical steps to delivering an economy in line with climate science and in support of net zero carbon. Alternatively, signatories may choose to provide mentoring and support for smaller signatory companies in setting targets, reporting and meeting the requirements of the pledge.