Climate Change Data

On the Beach Group plc

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2018, 2021)

Reporting Period: 2018

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:511.13 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:88.18 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:422.95 tCO2e/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Employee Engagement
  • Environment
  • Corporate Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2) from 512.56 tonnes CO2e in 2017 to 511.13 tonnes CO2e in 2018; however, this slight reduction is attributed to the earlier release of summer capacity by major low-cost carriers and lower year-on-year seat prices for winter departures.

Social Achievements

  • Increased employee satisfaction scores by 9% from November 2017 to May 2018 (Hive survey).
  • Opened a new, campus-style digital headquarters in Manchester, designed to foster collaboration and attract top talent.
  • Launched a cultural framework to embed company values (respect, innovation, simplicity, customer experience, communication).
  • Published its first Gender Pay Gap Report and initiated internal projects to address gender imbalance and promote diversity.
  • Increased repeat purchase rates by 14% year on year.
  • Maintained excellent Net Promoter Scores.

Governance Achievements

  • Full compliance with the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code.
  • Appointed Elaine O’Donnell as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee.
  • Undertook a Board evaluation demonstrating effective operation and a commitment to increasing diversity.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Become Europe’s leading online retailer of beach holidays.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Expand into long-haul destinations (Dubai, Indian Ocean, Thailand, Caribbean).
Short-term Goals:
  • Double the size of the tech team in the next three to five years.

Environmental Challenges

  • Unprecedented hot summer in Scandinavia leading to lower demand for holidays and widespread discounting by leading tour operators.
  • Brexit uncertainty affecting consumer confidence and demand.
  • Supplier failures and potential flight disruptions due to Brexit.
  • Competition in a challenging market.
  • Maintaining a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Reduced marketing activity in Scandinavia during the summer, reinvesting savings at the start of the new financial year.
  • Thorough Brexit impact assessment and development of risk management plans.
  • ATOL and ABTA protection for customers.
  • Competitive pricing, value proposition, and exclusive offers.
  • Investment in people, technology, and brand.
  • Relocation of headquarters to attract and retain top digital talent.
  • Succession planning for key personnel.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Increasing direct contracting with hotels (70% in 2018).

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Travel and Leisure PLC Trusted Service Award 2017
  • Best for Holidays
  • Most User-Friendly App
  • Best Travel Agent Website
  • Top Online Travel Agent
  • Fastest Risers in Audience-Based Digital Marketing E-Commerce
  • Travolution Lifetime Achievement Award - Simon Cooper
  • Best Technology Team
  • Best Use of Data
  • Travel Editor’s Award
  • UK STOCKMARKET AWARDS 2018
  • FEEFO AWARDS 2017
  • TRAVOLUTION AWARDS 2017
  • TRAVOLUTION AWARDS 2018
  • TTG TOP 50 TRAVEL AGENTS 2016
  • National CEO of the Year - Simon Cooper
  • BVCA MANAGEMENT TEAM AWARDS 2016
  • HITWSE WISE AWARDS
  • THE SUN TRAVEL AWARDS 2016
  • Best Travel Agent Website Award
  • Best Use of Search Engine Marketing Award

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:334.3 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:145.9 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:189.9 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:8.5 tCO2e/year
Total Energy Consumption:1,699,964 kWh/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Our People
  • Our Customers and Communities
  • Our Environment
  • Our Responsible Business

Environmental Achievements

  • 73% of all waste was recycled at head office (FY20 71%), no waste sent to landfill.

Social Achievements

  • Launched a Mental Health Ambassadors scheme.
  • Increased minimum base salary to £20,000 p.a.
  • Enhanced sick pay policy and introduced additional days’ leave for birthdays.
  • Created a giant ‘beach’ area and sandpit in Manchester city centre for families to enjoy.

Governance Achievements

  • Welcomed Justine Greening as a Non-Executive Director.
  • Consulted with over 50% of shareholder base on new remuneration policy.
  • Implemented a new reward and benefits strategy for the workforce.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

  • COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted booking volumes and revenue.
  • Reputational damage due to airline refund issues.
  • Complex and inconsistent travel rules and high testing costs dampened consumer confidence.
  • Ryanair's aggression towards OTAs, including blocking online check-in.
  • Increased competition risk due to refund credit notes.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Successfully raised £24.9m from shareholders.
  • Extended £25m Government-backed CLBILS facility.
  • Took holidays off sale during periods of high uncertainty.
  • Offered free COVID tests with bookings.
  • Introduced a ‘New Normal’ booking pledge.
  • Commenced legal action against Ryanair.
  • Continued to invest in brand, technology, and customer proposition.
  • Developed a new ESG strategy to address climate and other ESG risks.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Regular audits (on-site and/or self-assessment) focused on health & safety and modern slavery.

Responsible Procurement
  • Fair payment terms.
  • Collaboration.
  • Ethical sourcing.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather events impacting holiday destinations.
Transition Risks
  • Changing attitudes to flying due to environmental concerns.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: TCFD