Carbon reduction plan
Our commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050
This plan is formatted according to the prescribed template required in Public Procurement Notice PPN 06/21.
Supplier name: FCDO Services
Publication date: 6 December 2023
Contents
Our commitment
FCDO Services is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Greening Government Commitments and 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
While 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 for the period 2021/25 have re-calibrated Government Department reporting to set 2017/18 as the baseline year, to more accurately reflect the current government estate and ensure government builds on the progress it has already achieved since 2009/10.
As required by the Greening Government Commitments, FCDO Services currently 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 the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and currently 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 data as the GGC Baseline Panel had deemed that they should be exempted from the scope.
This decision was reversed in 2021, so reporting since 2021/22 has covered all of FCDO Services UK based activity.
The 2017/18 baseline emissions have been adjusted to include FCDO Services’ delivery for all customers.
Current emissions reporting
Reporting year 2022/23
| Emissions | Total (tCO2e) |
| Scope 1 | 187 |
| Scope 2 | 690 |
| Scope 3 (included sources) | 122 |
| Total emissions | 999 |
Emissions reduction targets
In order to continue our progress to achieving 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 |
2017/18 baseline (tCO2e) |
2022/23 |
Comment |
| Overall emissions reduction 56% |
1,454 |
999 |
Reduction of 31%. We project that, working with the FCDO, the 56% target is achievable |
| Direct emissions reduction 30% (direct emissions from estate and operations, excluding vehicle fleet) |
71 |
81 |
Increased by 14% compared to 2017/18 baseline, due to fugitive refrigerant leakage. Excluding fugitive emissions, direct fuel use emissions fell 37% exceeding the 30% target |
| Reduce domestic flights 30% |
12 |
5 |
58% reduction. Target exceeded |
| Reduce waste generation by 15% |
92 tons |
66 tons |
28% reduction. Target exceeded |
| Achieve 70% recycling of overall waste stream |
53% |
55% |
We project that 70% target is achievable |
| Reduce paper consumption by 50% (based on reams A4 equivalent) |
5,830 |
1,479 |
75% reduction. Target exceeded. New ways of working, often paperless, are likely to support sustained lower paper use |
| Report international (passenger) flights. No target set under GGC |
– |
4,323 |
New GGC reporting requirement since 2021/22 |
Carbon reduction initiatives
FCDO Services’ objective is to provide trusted, secure, safe and resilient services to support diplomacy, defence and development for the UK government and our global partners.
To this end FCDO Services sources and sells with integrity through an ethical, sustainable supply chain; delivers as efficiently as possible; respects the interests of customers, staff and stakeholders. The organisation continuously strives to improve and increase its environmental and social sustainability.
FCDO Services operates under FCDO’s ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System. It has policies and processes to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, assess environmental impact and risks and regularly monitor environmental performance.
It has an Environmental Policy Statement, which covers all FCDO Services employees, contractors, suppliers and partners.
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 ongoing initiatives. Such as, 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 respond to customer demand. The organisation is working with customers to reduce its flight footprint, using approaches such as regional project aggregation, flight schedule optimisation and virtualisation / remote delivery.
In conjunction with this work, FCDO Services is also working to reduce its freight footprint through freight consolidation, optimised scheduling and modal shift from air to surface options.
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 being replaced in phases with at least ULEV standard vehicles emitting less than 50g CO2e/km, if not ZEV.
By 2027 the organisation is committed to a 100% EV fleet (for vehicles under 3.5 tons). 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 relevant provisions of the Social Value Model (Public Procurement Notice 06/20) and the requirement for a Carbon Reduction Plan (Public Procurement Notice 06/21) for larger 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 Greening Government IT and Digital Services Strategy 2020-25.
FCDO Services’ award winning Containerised Data Centre (CDC); has very efficient performance credentials (a maximum PUE = 1.3, which equates to very efficient, as well as utilisation of free air cooling 95% of the time).
Waste
FCDO Services is committed to reducing and recycling waste. Non-recyclable packaging material and single use plastic materials such as bubble, foam and pallet wrap and plastic tape are being replaced with paper-based alternatives. The logistics team manufacture bespoke shipping crates on-site to reduce the shipping weight.
Pallite 100% recyclable boxes are used for shipping where possible. Timber products are procured from Forest Stewardship Council / Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (FSC / PEFC) approved sources.
FCDO Services collaborates with the National Offender Management Service by cleaning used Diplomatic Bags at HMP Bullingdon’s laundry facility. 31,282 bags were laundered, recycled and reused in 2022/23.
Governance
FCDO Services has an active, dedicated Environment and Sustainability Team which is running a cross-organisation Sustainability Improvement Action Plan. This reviews the application of sustainable ways of working, standards and skills across the organisation.
Read full detail of FCDO Services’ sustainability performance in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23.
Declaration
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 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 FCDO Services, the Supplier: Mike Astell, Chief Executive Officer
Date: 5 December 2023