At Hardscape we understand the business case for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Having reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic year, specifically 2020, we have defined priorities and mapped our value chain to define the most efficient impact areas. We have re-modelled the scope of our goals and KPIs and are expediting actions to meet specific SDG business commitments to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
As the coronavirus threat finally starts to recede in 2021, the inevitable move towards November 2021 and the 26th UN Conference of the Parties (COP26) begins to take shape. Hardscape are witnessing more positive actions taking place throughout the UK construction industry. Like any crisis, the climate emergency needs action rather than words. It is a time for policymakers, politicians, businesses, and multilateral organisations to come together and be selfless as they look to find solutions for the world’s biggest problem.
The world needs concerted action on the environmental crisis and the UK landscape industry needs to show that it can lead on global issues. Hardscape believes that this event will succeed in taking forward some of the promises of CO21 and accelerating the Race to Zero.
We believe there will now be a greater focus on collaborative action and the reality is that no company can or should have to do everything alone. Credibility will be gained by the right conversations and industry alliances with those that can help with the Race to Zero. Such collaboration already exists with the Landscape Institute and as such, as a Corporate Partner, we are proud to be aligned with their vision, energy, and commitment to a sustainable future for all.
Our planet faces massive economic, social, and environmental challenges. To combat these, the SDGs define global priorities and aspirations for 2030. They represent an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate extreme poverty and protect the planet. Governments worldwide have already agreed to these goals.
CO2 reductions towards a net-zero by 2050 plays a part towards the SDGs and at Hardscape we are already taking action to play our part:
- All Hardscape’s imported cargo comes via shipping. Per kilometre, shipping is one of the lowest emitting freight transport options around when compared to rail, haulage, and aviation.
- Hardscape are working to the SDG agenda for reducing CO2 emissions through all parts of the value chain and have already established their Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the last two years and are now focussing on identifying their Scope 3 emissions.
- Hardscape are developing sensible but ambitious targets to reduce all emissions in line with UK Government action plans, working with producing quarries and factories to develop CO2 net-zero contribution by 2050.
- Hardscape remain innovative and have introduced, and are further developing, man-made commodities, for example Kellen CERO, that can reduce carbon contribution, alongside the employment of materials to create spaces with function that reduce carbon making in the process of use, for example cycle infrastructure, reducing car use, green spaces etc.
- Created a Sustainability Department focusing not just on ethics but other relevant SDG’s, alongside attracting funding and research for projects where we can get major wins in carbon footprint reduction and product life cycle sustainability.
So, for Hardscape, COP26 does not start and end in November 2021. Those that will benefit most from the opportunities that are created are those that prepare for this now and look at ways they can build their story to be part of an event that is set to be game-changing.
Sustainability Manager – Hardscape
