At this week’s Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) Carbon Reduction Awards Event on Tuesday, 14th March, Cardiff-based Ladder Manufacturers TB Davies was the Winner in the Small Business category. The event hosts included Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE; Chair Business Wales Task and Finish Group, and Jonny Tench; Private Sector Lead advisor for Future Generations Commissioner.
The Awards Event was an opportunity to share and acknowledge the tremendous hard work and progress that all involved in the Business in Wales pilot have made in the past three months. The AGP forms part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales support services. The programme aims to support and develop businesses within Wales that have high growth aspirations and potential.
In 2019 TB Davies took its first step in developing an action plan to reduce its environmental impact. That project got the company thinking about areas within its direct control, such as harnessing solar energy for its operations, reducing plastic packaging and introducing hybrid vehicles.
The company struggled with establishing what and how to measure its scope two and three emissions. It was also unsure which areas to tackle first and how to develop a credible benchmark against which to base a decarbonisation plan.
When Business in Wales offered support via its Emission Reduction Pilot, the company was keen to get involved and learn how to turn its strategic objectives into a time-bound reality. SHEQ director Mat Gray said, ‘The pilot provided all of the required elements to assist us in moving forward. A series of focus workshops allowed us to build internal skills and, with a mentor in the background, to ensure we focused on actionable items. The biggest asset was the availability of an intern, who provided capacity and specialist skills we lacked in-house.’
The first phase of the journey has culminated in Decarbonisation Plan with a commitment to become Carbon Neutral by 2030. The plan identifies multiple goals to create company-wide transformation and shift all of our stakeholders, including suppliers, distributors and end-users, from a ‘use-and-dispose’ mindset towards one of ‘repair and reuse’, investing in a circular economy based on founding principles of quality, durability and recyclability.
Mat Gray continued, ‘We were delighted to win the award as the plan underlines the companies’ commitment to proactive environmental practice and puts us on the front foot to maximise commercial opportunities from like-minded companies and government departments.’
To learn more about TB Davies Decarbonisation Plan, email [email protected] or sign up here for future updates.
