Capita today announces it has set science-based carbon emissions reduction targets – for its energy use, business travel and supply chain – in line with global ambitions to limit warming to 1.5OC.
We have committed to reducing our absolute scope one, two and three* (business travel) greenhous gas emissions by 46% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. We have also committed that 50% of our suppliers by spend – covering purchased goods, services, and capital goods – will have science-based targets 2025.
Capita has had its emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which defines and promotes best practice in setting science-based emissions reductions targets. The targets have been validated as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Capita is one of over 300 organisations globally, along with the likes of Microsoft, BT and Deutsche Telekom, to have SBTi-verified emissions reduction targets that are in line with a 1.5OC future.
We have already developed detailed plans to reduce emissions year on year, having evaluated our full value chain across scopes one, two and three.
These plans include increased use of renewable electricity and reducing building energy use. We are also evaluating opportunities to decarbonise our heating systems, which are likely to be a blend of certified neutralisation and compensation measures, low-carbon heat technology, and renewable gas. We are already transitioning to a low-carbon vehicle fleet as quickly as possible and reducing business travel emissions, as we look to develop our flexible working strategy that will see a shift to online meetings and regional property hubs.
We have set ambitious targets to engage with our strategic suppliers to ensure they are on a path to developing their own science-based targets. Our supply chain accounts for 68% of total emissions, with approximately 24,000 direct suppliers.
Jennie Colville, Responsible Business Director at Capita, said: “At Capita we are committed to helping tackle climate change and we are developing plans to achieve net zero as soon as possible. We are also strengthening our assessment of climate risk across our business – helping us to build plans and understand the costs to manage and mitigate these risks. In the year when governments across the world will come together at COP26 to tackle the climate change crisis, it is vital that businesses step up and play their part. I hope our action empowers peers, suppliers, clients and customers to follow suit.”
Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Director at Science Based Targets, said: "We congratulate Capita for setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5OC, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. By aligning its goals with a 1.5OC future, and asking its partners to do the same, Capita is ensuring it builds resilience firmly into its business model and will be positioned to thrive as the global economy transitions to a zero emissions future."
*Scope one refers to all direct emissions from an organisation including gas boilers, fleet vehicles and air-conditioning gas leaks, while scope two includes all indirect emissions including heat, electricity and steam purchased and used. The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from Capita’s operations, scopes one and two, are consistent with reductions required to limit warming to 1.5OC.
Scope three refers to all other indirect emissions from sources an organisation does not own or control, such as emissions associated with business travel, procurement, sales, transport, waste, and water. Capita’s targets for the indirect, scope three emissions, meet the SBTi’s criteria for ambitious value chain goals, meaning they are in line with current best practice.
