Carbon reduction plan
Our commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050
Supplier name: FCDO Services
Publication date: 02 September 2025
Contents
Our commitment to achieveing Net Zero
Our commitment to achieving Net Zero
FCDO Services is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Greening Government Commitments and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) policy.
Baseline emissions footprint
Baseline year 2017/18
| Emissions | Total (tCO2e) |
| Scope 1 | 105 |
| Scope 2 | 1,270 |
| Scope 3 (included sources) | 79 |
| Total emissions | 1,454 |
Additional details on baseline emissions calculations
Whilst FCDO Services has been reporting emissions data since 2009-10, this Carbon Reduction Plan uses 2017-18 as the baseline. This is because the Greening Government Commitments 2021-25 have re-calibrated Government Department reporting to set 2017-18 as the baseline year to more accurately reflect the government estate, and to ensure government builds on the progress it has achieved since 2009-10.
As required by the Greening Government Commitments, FCDO Services only reports emissions data on its UK based operations. It reports Scope 1 (direct energy including Logistics distribution fleet) and 2 (indirect energy) emissions plus some elements of business travel and waste management from Scope 3. FCDO Services shares its sites with its parent department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and apportions most Scope 1 and 2 emissions on a per capita (staff FTE) basis.
From 2012/13 to 2020/21 FCDO Services’ work with non-FCDO customers was not included in the Greening Government Commitment reported data as the GGC Baseline Panel had deemed that they be exempted from scope. This decision was reversed in 2021 so reporting since 2021-22 has covered all FCDO Services UK based activity whoever the customer. The 2017/18 baseline emissions have been adjusted to include FCDO Services’ delivery for all customers.
Current emissions reporting
Reporting year 2024/25
| Emissions | Total (tCO2e) |
| Scope 1 | 182 |
| Scope 2 | 735 |
| Scope 3 (included sources) | 89 |
| Total emissions | 1007 |
Emissions reduction targets
To continue our progress to Net Zero by 2050, we have, as part of the FCDO Departmental footprint, adopted the following Greening Government Commitment carbon reduction targets to be achieved by March 2025 (from a 2017/18 baseline year).
| 2025 target (against 2017/18 baseline) |
2017/18 baseline |
2024/25 |
Comment on 2024/25 performance |
| Reduce overall reported emissions by 56% |
1,454 tons CO2e |
1007 tons CO2e |
Overall emissions have reduced by 31% from 2017/18 but were 4% higher than 2023/24. UK electricity emissions were 52% lower following parent department investment and the introduction of solar to the estate. It remains challenging to reduce overall emissions, and we continue to work closely with the FCDO to reduce consumption from our operation. |
| Reduce direct emissions by 30%. Comprises direct Scope 1 emissions from estate and operations (excluding vehicle fleet) |
71 tons CO2e |
89 tons CO2e |
The allocation of direct estate emissions increased by 25% compared to baseline, predominantly due to an increase in oil fuel emissions due to operational issues with biodiesel resulting in a switch to low sulphur fuel oil in the UK estate. |
| Reduce domestic flights 30% |
12 tons CO2e |
7 tons CO2e | Domestic flight emissions decreased by 42% compared to baseline, exceeding the March-25 target. FCDO Services shares the FCDO policy to use rail by default for domestic travel and flights are authorised by exception only. We continue to actively raise awareness among staff of our travel footprint due to demand for UK projects. |
| 25% of car / van fleet to be ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) by end 2022, and 100% to be fully zero emissions (ZEV) at the tailpipe by end 2027 |
– |
18% |
9 vehicles of the 43 car/van fleet are ULEV. We continue to work towards the 100% ZEV target. FCDO Services are developing a transition plan aligning normal vehicle replacement schedule, security and operational need and optimising the embedded carbon from existing assets. |
| Reduce total waste generation by 15% |
92 tons |
80 tons |
Total waste decreased by 13% compared to baseline. There is continued focus on reducing waste from operations. |
| Achieve 70% recycling of overall waste stream |
53% |
57% |
Recycling rates have varied year on year, and we remain committed to improving recycling rates and reducing waste through staff wide initiatives, training and reuse policies whilst adhering to National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) guidelines. |
| Reduce paper consumption by 50% (based on reams A4 equivalent) |
5,830 tons CO2e |
640 tons CO2e |
Paper usage decreased by 89% compared to baseline, more than achieving target enabled by digital first initiatives. |
| Reduce water consumption by 8% |
8,432m3 |
6,047m3 |
Water usage decreased by 28% compared to baseline. |
| Report international (passenger) flights. No target set under GGC, but aim to reduce |
4,557 tons CO2e |
6,450 tons CO2e |
We have developed more robust reporting, but we are dependent on international travel to meet global customer demand. We seek to reduce our international flights through project aggregation and modal shift. |
Carbon reduction initiatives
FCDO Services is a Trading Fund of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is part of their departmental footprint under the Greening Government Commitments Framework. We operate under FCDO’s ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System (certification renewed in 2023). FCDO Services has policies and processes to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, assess environmental impact and risks and regularly monitors environmental performance. An organisation specific Environmental Policy Statement covers all FCDO Services employees, contractors, suppliers, and partners.
FCDO Services sources and sells with integrity through an ethical, sustainable supply chain which delivers as efficiently as possible. We respect the interests of customers, staff, and stakeholders and continuously strive to improve and increase our environmental and social sustainability.
Sustainability vision
FCDO Services’ vision is to be ‘secure, safe and sustainable’ in everything we do supporting our customers in diplomacy, defence, and development. Sustainability delivers a range of strategic benefits, driving efficiency, and encouraging upskilling and innovation, and creating new business opportunities. With continued inflationary pressure during 2024/25, we have sought to drive closer collaboration between organisational efficiency, continuous improvement, and sustainability.
Sustainability strategy
Our ‘Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2022-25’ has five key objectives:
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Reduce our operational carbon footprint and deliver against 2025 Greening Government Commitment targets.
- Optimise the synergy of sustainability and efficiency.
- Embed a culture of sustainability and associated capability uplift to make FCDO Services ‘net zero-capable’.
- Build greener and more efficient customer-supplier frameworks to deliver products and services that help improve customer sustainability.
FCDO Services has an active, dedicated Environment and Sustainability Team leading the cross-organisation Sustainability Improvement Plan, reviewing the application of sustainable ways of working, standards, and skills. We have introduced an Environment & Sustainability Committee encouraging best practice and collaborative problem solving across delivery groups.
We are developing sustainability action plans with each business unit identifying sustainability risks and improvements for their distinct operational areas. We understand the importance of behavioural shift in driving sustainability improvement and enable this through mandatory sustainability training and undertake staff engagement sessions on environmental compliance and how individuals, teams and innovative solutions can participate to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy
The bulk of FCDO Services’ emissions reported under the Greening Government Commitments are from direct fuel use, electricity consumption and international flights. Emissions from energy utilisation are being reduced through a combination of on-site renewable energy generation, energy efficiency measures and the heating of the Hanslope Park site with biodiesel from waste and second-generation oils as well as low sulphur fuel oil.
Logistics
International flights are critical to FCDO Services global business and our response to customer needs. We work with customers and suppliers to reduce our flight footprint by revising policies, and innovative approaches including regional project aggregation, virtualisation/remote delivery, flight schedule optimisation, and modal shift from air to surface routes. Through this we removed 36,818kg from the air network and delivered by road in 2024/25.
FCDO Services’ fleet is critical to its UK and global operation. The organisation is committed to reducing the footprint of its HGV, van, and car fleet. Vehicles under 3.5 tons are subject to a phased replacement being replaced with vehicles meeting at least a ULEV standard which emit less than 50g CO2e/km, if not zero-emissions. By 2027 the organisation aims to meet the 2027 commitment for 100% EV fleet (for vehicles under 3.5 tons) and a transition plan is being developed to achieve this. Technologies for the HGV fleet are being assessed but older trucks are being replaced with at least Euro VI compliant vehicles.
Procurement
FCDO Services adopts UK government best practice in sustainable procurement. The sustainability credentials of suppliers are examined and assessed using the prevailing version and relevant provisions of Public Procurement Notice Taking Account of Social Value in the award of central government contracts, and PPN Taking Account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts. Where suitable Crown Commercial Service framework contracts are available, FCDO Services makes use of these to source products. FCDO Services is committed to making opportunities accessible to a wide range of suppliers, particularly small and medium enterprises. SME suppliers form 25% of the supply base. Procurement staff hold the CIPS Corporate Ethics certification.
Information technology
FCDO Services is guided by the improvement targets in the Greening Government IT and Digital Services Strategy 2020-25. Through the integration of energy-efficient technologies and providing innovative, scalable and flexible solutions we are able to design with energy efficiency in mind and optimise digital resources to minimise waste. We continue to maximise the lifespan of our IT assets, and the re-use of equipment is widely encouraged. FCDO Services ensures that its IT waste is handled according to the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) standards and the WEEE Regulations, with plastics shredding and extraction of rare minerals.
Waste
FCDO Services has continued to make excellent progress in reducing the footprint of our logistics packaging, while also phasing out single use plastics. We have removed foam from the operation by fully transitioning to packing paper and biodegradable packing peanuts and use fully recyclable document wallets and tape. We continue to trial lighter and more sustainable products working collaboratively with our suppliers to ensure ease of recycling and reuse at destinations.
We are focusing efforts to improve our internal store and stock procedures to optimise efficiencies in both stock control and shipping in support of efficiency and waste initiatives. With a focus on more sustainable products and enhanced return and re-use policies, we are endeavouring to make sustainability more achievable for our staff and customers.
We have re-usable, stackable lidded boxes which have replaced cling film type plastic pallet wrap. These boxes reduce the storage space and the number of forklift journeys. To reduce emissions further, we are in the process of phasing in the use of electric forklift trucks.
We continue to manufacture bespoke shipping crates to minimise weight, volume, and shipping costs, in addition to reducing our carbon footprint. We use timber and where possible, use 100% recyclable robust, honeycomb-structure, cardboard boxes. We shred a significant amount of our cardboard waste to re-use as padding and our waste timber is either sold with proceeds going to charity, donated to community projects or recycled.
Our re-useable cotton-based Diplomatic Bags are washed using the laundry service provided by HM Prison and Young Offenders Institute Bullingdon in Oxfordshire. 17,044 bags were processed during this year.
Fuller detail of FCDO Services’ sustainability performance is contained in its Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25.
Declaration and sign off
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN06 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.
Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements, and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the Executive Board.
Signed on behalf of the Supplier: Mike Astell, Chief Executive Officer
Date: 21 August 2025