IIED's Environmental Sustainability Impact Report 2023-24

IIED's Environmental Sustainability Impact Report 2023-24

• 1.
  www.iied.org @IIED Environmental Sustainability Impact Report Financialyear 2023/24
• 2.
  2 Foreword Welcome to IIED’s2023/24 Sustainability Impact Report, the second of its kind. This report provides a comprehensive overview of our activities per strategic theme and includes our total carbon footprint from 01 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, breaking down emissions by source and highlighting the key drivers of our environmental impact. 2023-2024 was a year of change at IIED, with March 2024 being the conclusion of IIED’s multi-annual strategy, Make Change Happen. IIED’s new strategy, Manifesto for a Thriving World was published in May 2024 underpinned by the development of a full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy that will be published in 2025. Over the reporting year, we’ve continued to take steps to address our environmental footprint. This report outlines the actions we've undertaken and the challenges we’re facing in our efforts to reduce and mitigate our impact on the planet. The insights gained from this report have been used to inform our sustainability strategy, not only around environmental goals, but across social and governance areas as well. As such, this report focuses on what was achieved, leaving the ‘what’s next’ to the upcoming Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy publication. In partnership with Greenly, we have continued to calculate and refine our carbon footprint analysis, ensuring it reflects the full scope of our operations, and we are confident that it offers a comprehensive picture of our environmental impact. Despite reporting an increase in total emissions versus the previous reporting year, this reflects a return to business as usual after the Covid-19 pandemic. As a research and impact organisation, IIED needs to balance its operational impact with the impact it can achieve towards its mission. IIED remains deeply committed to environmental sustainability and we will continue to improve and refine our solutions to tackle these complex environmental challenges. IIED is also dedicated to continue engaging with staff, partners and stakeholders and we welcome all inputs to make our efforts, and this report, a success. Tom Mitchell
• 3.
  3 To implement sustainablepractices into our operations to reduce our environmental impact and help address the urgent global climate and ecological emergency. Sustainable procurement Demonstrate accountability for our environmental performance We will improve how we deliver our business by developing new ways of working and implementing sustainably-focused changes that support staff, partners and suppliers to reduce their environmental impact without compromising the work that they do. Eco-friendly offices Leadership and collaboration Carbon emissions Engagement VISION MISSION STRATEGIC THEMES MONITORING AND REPORTING IIED’s strategic approach SDGs ALIGNED TO OUR OBJECTIVES
• 4.
  4 We understand thatsustainable development encompasses not only environmental concerns but also influences aspects of our society, economy and relationships. As an environmental development organisation, we have made a deliberate commitment to align our strategies and activities with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs serve as a global rallying call to eradicate poverty, safeguard our planet and ensure universal peace and prosperity. IIED is resolute in its dedication to instigate changes that address climate change, halt the degradation of ecosystems and alleviate disparities that adversely affect individuals and societies. To this end, we have aligned our action plans with the relevant SDGs. This alignment empowers us to highlight and report on the positive impact we aim to make across economic, social and environmental sustainability and we believe that this commitment will help drive meaningful and lasting change across these critical domains. United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals
• 5.
  Our impact
• 6.
  6 IIED’s total emissions2023/24 This summary transparently outlines our scope 1- 3 emissions, encompassing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with our operations and value chain. Scope 1 emissions represent direct emissions from our controlled sources, which includes emissions from the generation of heating and cooling our offices. Scope 2 emissions cover our indirect emissions resulting from the generation of purchased electricity accounting for under 1% of our total emissions. Scope 3 emissions include indirect emissions from our entire value chain, accounting for 99% of our total emissions. The majority of these emission are attributed to our business travel with the remainder as a result of events staff attend and the purchasing of services. 2.6 tCo2e Scope 1 Scope 2 5.4 tCO2e 24.8 tCO2e tCo2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent Scope 3: business travel Scope 3: activities and events Scope 3: services purchased 1642 tCO2e 105 tCO2e 691 tCO2e Scope 3: other 46 tCO2e
• 7.
  7 Materiality assessment IIED completedits first materiality assessment in 23/24 to identify, evaluate, and prioritize the most significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) material topics that could impact the business or its stakeholders. The materiality assessment included input from over 30 stakeholders. The results of the materiality assessment will be used to inform the priorities in IIED’s new ESG strategy, which will be published in 2025.
• 8.
  Strategic actions
• 9.
  9 The IIED boardhas committed to achieving Net Zero, with a transition pathway to be published in 2025 Undertook a second comprehensive calculation of emissions within all scopes to support better understanding of the impact of our organisation and to inform new strategies for change Engagement sessions were hosted with staff to raise awareness on the impacts of business travel activity Action taken in 23/24 Reduce our carbon emissions Taking positive steps to actively reduce our operational emissions for a healthier planet Continued to work with COTAP to offset 725MT CO2e travel-related emissions focused on global poverty alleviation and fighting inequality through certified forestry projects
• 10.
  10 Air Travel: Ouremissions in perspective Reduce our carbon emissions Taking positive steps to actively reduce our operational emissions for a healthier planet 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 Journeys Per Employee Emissions Per Employee (kg) Linear (Journeys Per Employee) Linear (Emissions Per Employee (kg)) IIED’s total emissions rose from 1.2k MT to 2.6k MT between 22/23 and 23/24, driven by an increase in air travel and purchased services. Despite this, the overall trajectory of emissions for air travel since 2018 shows a linear reduction in the number of flights per employee. 23/24 represents the first year of operations returning to normal course of business since the Covid-19 pandemic. That said, IIED is committed to reducing its emissions in-line with Net Zero and will publish a realistic yet ambitious target for reducing air travel in 2025 Co2e (kg) produced per employee air travel Number of flights per employee 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 152 157 155 171 182 188
• 11.
  11 Promote ethical banking, pensions andprocurement Taking positive action in to change to more ethical and sustainable suppliers Engaged key suppliers on environmental topics through a supplier survey on the Greenly platform Action taken in 23/24 Completed transition to Aviva Pension platform
• 12.
  Establish eco-friendly office environments 12 Greeningour workspaces to cut emissions and enhance staff work environment In November 2023, IIED moved into a new London office which was selected using an improved green buildings sustainability criteria which included energy efficiency and use IIED engaged the building management team in London and Edinburgh to establish baselines for water and waste Action taken in 23/24
• 13.
  Show environmental leadership and campaigning 13 Committingto lead by example in environmental sustainability and operational excellence IIED maintained it’s ISO14001 certification in 2023, showing our continued commitment to protecting the environment complying with increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations IIED published this second annual Environmental Sustainability Report, transparently reporting progress towards environmental objectives IIED completed it’s first materiality assessment to inform a more holistic sustainability strategy, including material topics related to environment, social and governance Action taken in 23/24 IIED operates at the forefront of the global environmental sustainability landscape, spearheading positive change through its impactful research, inclusive design and equitable and sustainable initiatives. Our work is focused on actively combating climate change, addressing nature loss, championing justice and equality, and challenging the status quo. Despite not all impacts or initiatives being quantifiable in emissions reductions, we remain committed to evaluating our positive influence and to actively include this as part of IIED’s overall environmental sustainability impact.
• 14.
  14 Promote and support anenvironmentally aware workforce Engaging with staff to nurture sustainability and help shape a greener future Engagement sessions were held with staff to discuss opportunities to show leadership in the development of IIED’s new ESG strategy, to be published in 2025 Staff were asked to provide feedback on IIED’s materiality assessment to determine material topics in environment, social and governance Action taken in 23/24
• 15.
  15 We believe thatto have a successful environmental sustainability programme, we need to provide it with the necessary support and oversight to ensure that it is maximising opportunities, addressing challenges and delivering on the targets we have set ourselves as an organisation. Our governance structure ensures we have the right people in the right place to deliver on the plans and targets we have set ourselves as an organisation. Our environmental sustainability programme will be underpinned with a robust set of improvement plans, helping us to manage our actions, focus on our priorities and support successful delivery. Programme governance Organisation functions and research teams Strategy and Leadership Council (SLC) Responsible for delivery of sustainability strategy and improvements, providing guidance and approving changes and proposals. A dedicated Sustainability Lead oversees the development and delivery of improvement plans. Operational teams will support the implementation of improvement plans across the organisation to support delivery of the environmental sustainability programme. IIED Board Accountable for IIED’s Sustainability Strategy. Daily management Accountable for strategy Implementation Decision making and oversight Sustainability Lead