CARBON REDUCTION PLAN - SEPTEMBER 2024

At AG Axton & Sons, we are proud to be on a journey towards a sustainable future. We are committed to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050—an ambitious target that will not only benefit our business but also our customers, suppliers, and the wider community. Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is a key priority, and we are taking actionable steps to drive meaningful change.

Our Carbon Reduction Plan outlines the clear strategies and initiatives we have set in motion to reduce our business-related carbon emissions. With measurable targets and innovative projects, we are determined to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. While some goals will be met through behavioural changes, we will also pursue additional funding and resources where necessary to ensure our projects reach their full potential. This is a company-wide effort, and we are excited to work alongside our employees and supply partners to bring this vision to life.

Introduction

In August 2023, AG Axton & Sons took a monumental step forward in our sustainability journey by publishing our inaugural carbon reduction plan. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in our commitment to environmental responsibility, with 2023 becoming our Baseline Year. This year serves as the reference point against which we will measure progress toward our Net Zero goal. Alongside publishing our emissions figures, we also shared our methodology for calculating emissions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Achievements and Milestones

Since our baseline year, we’ve already made significant strides in reducing our carbon footprint. We’re proud of our accomplishments, but we know this is just the beginning. By using more accurate data collection methods, we have gained a clearer understanding of our emissions, which has enabled us to refine our strategy and take bolder actions towards achieving net zero emissions.

We are focused on continuous improvement, and we are excited to see how our efforts will contribute to positive change. Each year, we’ll be reviewing and enhancing our Carbon Reduction Plan to ensure we remain on track to meet our 2050 target.

Meeting Reporting Requirements

Our Carbon Reduction Plan is fully compliant with PPN06/21, as set out by the UK Government's Cabinet Office in June 2021. This document will be updated annually to align with our statutory accounts and will reflect any changes in our structure and operations. Importantly, it will showcase the progress we are making towards reducing our emissions and achieving net zero by 2050.

Understanding Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol breaks emissions into three categories, or Scopes. Our plan primarily focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while also introducing reporting for a select set of Scope 3 emissions, which represent the majority of an organisation's carbon output. We’ve identified five key subcategories within Scope 3 that are particularly relevant to our business and will work towards reducing emissions in these areas. More details on these are outlined in the following sections.

Our Low Carbon Vision

AG Axton & Sons is dedicated to integrating sustainability into every facet of our business. Minimising our environmental impact is central to our operations, and we have carefully chosen several priority areas where we can make tangible reductions in carbon emissions. Our vision is not just about meeting regulatory requirements, but about leading the way in sustainable practices within our industry. With each initiative and milestone, we are building a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Data Collection and Methodology

We have adopted the government-recommended methodology for emissions reporting to ensure our data is accurate, transparent, and reliable. With a full year of experience under our belt, we’ve learned valuable lessons from our initial emissions calculation and are confident that our updated approach will yield more accurate and actionable results. We remain committed to continuous learning and improvement in this area.

Operational Control

We will report emissions using the operational control methodology, which means that we will track and reduce emissions from activities over which we have full authority to introduce and implement policies. This allows us to focus on areas where we can make the most impact and drive meaningful change.

We are excited to share our achievements so far and look forward to continuing this journey towards Net Zero. By working together, embracing innovation, and committing to sustainable practices, AG Axton & Sons is proud to play its part in building a greener future for everyone.AG Axton & Sons (Wholesale) is committed to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050. We are aware that reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions represents significant benefits for us, our customers, suppliers and the wider community.