Exponent Private Equity LLP
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:331 tCO2e (excluding financed emissions)
Scope 1 Emissions:0.8 tCO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:18.5 tCO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:311.8 tCO2e
Renewable Energy Share:100% (Firm's electricity)
ESG Focus Areas
- Energy & Climate
- People
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 100% of portfolio companies completed a climate screening
- 93% of portfolio companies measure carbon footprint
- 50% of portfolio companies recycle waste from operations
- 26% improvement in Scope 3 reporting from 2022 to 2023
- Two portfolio companies committed to setting a Science Based Target
- Exponent registered commitment to set a Near-Term emissions reduction target with the Science Based Targets institute (SBTi)
Social Achievements
- All deals executed underwent comprehensive ESG Due Diligence
- 5 deals rejected based on ESG considerations
- ESG Vendor Due Diligence produced for exited deals
- 63% of portfolio companies have a dedicated ESG specialist (only 6% had one at acquisition)
- Annual ESG questionnaire completed by 100% of portfolio
- 71% of portfolio companies set annual employee engagement surveys
- £90,000+ raised for charity through the Three Peaks Challenge
Governance Achievements
- 100% of executed deals commissioned ESG Due Diligence
- 100% of exited deals commissioned Vendor ESG Due Diligence
- 100% of portfolio companies have completed a cyber assessment within the first year of ownership
- 100% of portfolio companies have a Whistle-blower policy
- 100% of portfolio companies have an Anti-bribery & Corruption Policy
- Improved PRI score (4 stars across all three modules)
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050 (for Meadow)
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve Net Zero emissions (target year not specified)
Short-term Goals:
- Validate Net Zero Target with SBTi in 2024
- Conduct a Biodiversity screening
- DE&I Committee to review family leave policies
- Plan plastics seminar for 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions (implied)
- Data challenges around gathering Scope 3 data
- Increasing reporting obligations
- Low number of women in investment roles across the industry
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies (implied)
- Hosted a Scope 3 portfolio workshop and involvement in the iCI’s Scope 3 working group
- Invested in a data platform (Novata) to track and analyze portfolio performance
- Evolved recruitment approach to attract a more diverse candidate pool
- Implemented a structured interview process
- Hosted annual DE&I training to address unconscious bias
- Established and appointed Operating Partners to increase gender diversity in senior team
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Changing climatic conditions
Transition Risks
- Carbon taxation
- Fuel cost increase
- Policy, regulatory, market and technology changes
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products (implied)
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD, UN PRI, ESG Data Convergence Initiative, ILPA’s Diversity in Action Framework, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Climate Action
- Gender Equality
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Reflects the Firm’s framework and highlights sustainability topics where they believe they can have an influence.
Awards & Recognition
- Award for Best Environmental Impact Thought Leadership for “Focusing on a nature positive future – Isio”, 2023
- First-year recipients of Environmental Impact Award at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, 2023
- Nominated for a Flexified Award, 2023
- Bronze rating from Ecovadis