Caring for
our environment.
Safeguarding our environment for us and future generations is something we take seriously. We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions from our own operations to net zero by 2030. This exceeds the UN’s own target of 2050.
We’re looking to improve not just the impact of our business operations, but also how we can adapt our services to help members make energy efficient choices in their homes.
Whilst we don’t manufacture a physical product, we know our operations have an environmental footprint, so we work to minimise this where possible.
The story so far
What we’ve done.
Several years ago, we began a huge programme of work that saw the installation of air source heat pumps, LED lighting and recycling, as well as the solar panel array fitted at our head office premises. In February 2019 we were awarded a Silver Award by the Suffolk Carbon Charter in recognition of the efforts we have made in recent years, which we’ve also received in 2020 and 2021.
We’ve installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of our head office, Freehold House – which has generated 19210kWh of electricity in 2020 and avoided emissions of 5.5 tonnes or carbon dioxide equivalent.
We installed low energy LED lighting within Freehold House which is estimated to save around 1,521kg CO2e a year. We’ve also added the same lighting across several branches.
All sites now have energy efficient air source heat pump units (to provide heating and/or cooling).
There are now recycling collections at all sites for paper, card, plastics and cans plus glass recycling at Freehold House.
We discontinued the use of disposable plastic cups across our premises.
We’ve taken steps to make processes paperless where possible, and are strongly discouraging any unnecessary printing.
Our impact so far in numbers.
With lots of hard work so far, we have calculated our impact on head office, which has seen a reduction over the past three years.
From 2021 we will also look to factor in each of our branches and business mileage, so we have carbon footprint data as accurate as possible.
What we’re going to do.
Net zero by 2030.
Our target of net zero by 2030 will only be achieved if we continue to work with staff and our members on decarbonisation initiatives that make a real impact. There’s lots we’re working on, but the following gives you a snapshot of the extent of the work. For each action, we will identify the carbon saving and the impact this will have on our target.
- Solar I Boost immersion at our Head office, to improve the efficiency of our heating from a sustainable source
- Extra insulation at our Head office, which we estimate will save around 3,154g CO2e per year
- Adding insulation to branches where possible
- Purchase of 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2024
- Move from gas to electricity heating within our branch network
- Switch to electric car as soon as possible
- Switch to an electric van within the next two years
- Install a double charging point at head office within the next year, to help encourage staff with electric cars
- Review the possibility of installing Solar PV panels to those branch premises owned by the Society
SUFFOLK BUILDING SOCIETY
Helping members.
Beyond our plans the reduce our own carbon emissions to net zero by 2030, we also want to look at other ways we can help the environment. Helping our members of their own carbon-cutting journey is central to our plans.
We will be developing financial products that can have a positive impact on member’s climate footprint and we look forward to sharing these plans soon. We’ll also be helping with ‘Carbon literacy’, for both staff and members, where everyone can improve their own knowledge of carbon dioxide costs and impacts on their everyday activities.
If you’re interested in your own impact on the environment and how you can improve, you can calculate your own carbon footprint in less than 15 minutes with the WWF Calculator on the link below.
Environment
Recognition for our environmental safeguarding.
In February 2019 we were awarded a Silver Award by the Suffolk Carbon Charter in recognition of the efforts we have made in recent years. We’ve since been awarded the Silver Award in 2020 and 2021 too.
The panel was impressed by our clear commitment to sustainability with the installation of air source heat pumps, LED lighting and recycling, as well as the solar panel array fitted at our head office premises and the action plan we have put in place for the future. We’ll be looking to take this even further with our latest work, as we continue to strive for net zero by 2030.
Get to know us better.
We’re proud to be a mutual organisation, founded in 1849 by a group of Ipswich businessmen to help the local community to prosper. It’s a simple ethos and one we are still rooted by today.
KEEP UP TO DATE
What’s new.
Latest community news and information
Our blog contains the latest goings-on and updates across the Society and for members we offer a monthly roundup of must-have stories and latest news in our Freehold Post email newsletter.
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