Prime plc
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Governance
- Workers
- Community
- Environment
- Customers
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved BREEAM ‘excellent’ standards in brownfield site management for over two decades.
- Dramatically reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions.
- Completed a carbon reduction plan.
- First Net Zero upfront embodied carbon project commenced in January 2024.
- Purchased 24 acres of farmland to develop woodland, anticipating climate positivity from 2030.
Social Achievements
- Achieved Investors in People Gold standard.
- 96% of staff reported being happy working at Prime.
- Offered flexible work arrangements, enhanced maternity/parental leave, and wellbeing support (private medical insurance, resilience training, mental health first aiders).
- Invested in staff training (Truly Human Leadership course).
- Active community engagement, including fundraising for local causes through The Prime Foundation.
Governance Achievements
- B Corp certification achieved in 2022.
- Business processes independently audited by BSI and Investors in People.
- Open and transparent decision-making with comprehensive board oversight.
- Annual business planning process with employee input.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- All Prime projects to be net-zero embodied carbon by 2026.
Medium-term Goals:
- All projects to target over 10% biodiversity net gain, aiming for 15%.
- Improve materials and expertise in supporting clients to embrace BREEAM.
Short-term Goals:
- Drive a range of projects forward to reach financial close in 2025.
- Improve project briefing around water usage with healthcare clients.
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing embodied carbon emissions in the property development industry.
- Ensuring all suppliers meet ethical and environmental standards, particularly smaller, local businesses.
Mitigation Strategies
- Careful specification of materials to reduce embodied carbon (low-carbon, carbon-neutral, or carbon-storing materials; recycled materials).
- Material efficiency and optimized design.
- Passive design strategies (better insulation, natural light and ventilation).
- Internal purchasing team checklist for supplier compliance with ILO principles, anti-slavery measures, health and safety standards, and sustainable practices.
- Support for smaller, local businesses.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Compliance with ILO principles.
- Anti-slavery and anti-corruption measures.
- Prioritization of sustainable materials and waste minimization.
- Prioritization of local sourcing.
- Timely supplier payments.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: B Corp
Certifications: ISO accreditation, Investors in People Gold, BREEAM