CareTech Group
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021-22, 2022-2023)
Reporting Period: 2021-22
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:20,445 tCO2e/year
Carbon Intensity:2.4 tCO2e per FTE
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Waste Reduction
- Biodiversity
- Employee Wellbeing
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Community Engagement
- Governance
- Innovation
- Social Impact
Environmental Achievements
- Commissioned leading sustainability consultants Avieco to analyze carbon emissions and inform decarbonisation strategy.
- 40% of properties rated Band C or higher for energy efficiency by the end of 2022.
- Replaced 180 older diesel vehicles with newer, more efficient petrol and diesel vehicles.
- Launched a company-wide recycling campaign.
- Implemented a new waste management contract emphasizing sustainable practices.
- Included categories for wildlife and fruit & vegetable gardens in the Blooming Marvellous garden competition.
- Phased out all petrol company cars by September 2022, defaulting to full EV vehicles.
Social Achievements
- Reduced time to hire from seven weeks to five weeks.
- Invested in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for streamlined recruitment.
- Developed a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy.
- Developed an Alternative Recruitment Pathways scheme.
- Implemented Mind of My Own app across relevant services, receiving over 6,000 statements from young people.
- Launched Management Development Programme and Leaders Coaching Programme.
Governance Achievements
- Established a new ESG Committee.
- Created a Staff Consultative Committee.
- Refreshed Care Quality & Governance Committee with enhanced frequency and membership.
- Introduced DyLOS (Dynamic Line of Sight) system for risk monitoring and management.
- Implemented a new Clinical Governance Framework and ‘Brilliant Basics’ programme.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net Zero business by 2050.
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- 100% reduction in volume of waste generated by 2030.
- 100% of gardens promoting biodiversity by 2030.
- Cumulatively reach 1 million disabled people with digital services by 2030.
- 100% of centrally-procured resources from Policy-compliant suppliers by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce time to hire to four weeks by end of next reporting year.
- 75% of (non-exempt) properties rated Band C or above for energy efficiency by 2025.
- 50% of waste recycled by 2025.
- 50% of gardens promoting biodiversity by 2025.
- 10% reduction in short/long-term absence by 2025.
- All services to have community engagement plans in place by October 2023.
Environmental Challenges
- Significant workforce challenges in the social care sector (estimated 165,000 vacancies).
- Increase in Scope 1 emissions due to return to normal operations after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Global delays in new car production slowing down fleet replacement.
Mitigation Strategies
- Recruiting additional resources in recruitment teams, including new Engagement Officer roles.
- Investing in Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
- Developing a carbon reduction strategy focusing on natural gas, fleet, purchased electricity, and other fuels.
- Improving energy efficiency of properties (target: 100% of non-exempt properties rated Band C or above by 2025).
- Implementing a salary sacrifice scheme for EV vehicles.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Working with suppliers to safeguard against child, forced, or compulsory labor; Modern Slavery Statement on Home Office portal; new Local Sourcing Policy, Corporate Gifting and Merchandise Policy established.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: World Economic Forum's ESG reporting framework, Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)
Certifications: CHAS (Contractors H&S Assessment Scheme)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Smartbox AAC devices
- EnableAll accessible online marketplace
Awards & Recognition
- Hill House School awarded Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
Reporting Period: 2022-2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:11,361 tCO2e (market-based) / 13,869 tCO2e (location-based)
Scope 3 Emissions:31,688 tCO2e
Renewable Energy Share:100% for centrally procured electricity
Carbon Intensity:1.31 tCO2e/FTE (direct emissions); 3.65 tCO2e/FTE (indirect emissions)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Governance
- Social Impact
- Innovation
Environmental Achievements
- 50% reduction in direct carbon emissions across UK operations
- 13% reduction in total direct and indirect carbon emissions over three years
- 19% reduction in carbon emissions per FTE staff member over three years
- 100% of general waste diverted from landfill
- Replacement of 201 fridges/freezers, 120 dishwashers, 339 washers/dryers, 148 ovens/hobs, 88 boilers, and 20 major heating upgrades
Social Achievements
- 104 services participated in Care Home Open Week (30% increase from last year)
- CareTech rated number 54 in the 2023 Top 100 Apprenticeships Employers list
- 39% reduction in short-term absence
- Launch of EnableAll, the world’s first truly accessible online marketplace platform
- Purple Tuesday trended #1 on X, reached 29.5 million people, and prompted 3,475 media items
Governance Achievements
- Re-accreditation as a Disability Confident Employer
- Preparation for and engagement in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) corporate ‘well led’ review
- Development of a separate online training course on the new environmental sustainability criterion in the new CQC single assessment framework
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net Zero business by 2050
- Reduce the company’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 90% from the 2020/21 baseline by no later than 2050
- Reduce the company’s Scope 3 carbon emissions by 97% from the 2020/21 baseline by no later than 2050
- Zero waste to landfill by 2050
- 100% of our gardens will promote biodiversity by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- 75% of (non-exempt) properties rated Band C or above for energy efficiency by 2030
- 50% of our gardens will promote biodiversity by 2030
- Cumulatively reach 200,000 individuals by 2025 through Smartbox, EnableAll and other relevant services
- Purple Tuesday to be #1 global brand for improving the disabled customer experience by 2025
- 100% of centrally procured resources will be from Policy-compliant suppliers by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce average time to hire to 4 weeks by end of FY 2024/25
- Increase retention rate by 5% by FY 2024/25
- Further 5% reduction in short/long-term absence by end of FY 2024/25
- 70% of site level employees live within 15 miles of their place of work by 2025
- 50% of our waste recycled by 2025
- 5% reduction in volume of waste generated by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Cost of living crisis impacting staff and the social care sector
- Challenges in recruitment and retention
- Increased long-term absence
- Barriers to purchasing ethical products or using small businesses
Mitigation Strategies
- Alternative Recruitment Strategy
- Employability Workshop in partnership with Breaking Barriers
- Representation on The Prince’s Trust Health & Care Advisory Board
- Active promotion of Employee Assistance Programme
- Exploration of options to support employees experiencing short-term financial difficulties
- Development of an attractive Employee Value Proposition
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Draft sustainable procurement policy for suppliers with contract value over £250k
- Questionnaire for core suppliers to capture ESG data
- Amendments to New Supplier Form to capture ESG information from smaller suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: World Economic Forum's ESG reporting framework, National Social Value Measurement framework (National TOMS)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Loqui range of low-cost, accessible AAC products
- Ed-Tech robot for remote classroom participation